Text of Remarks by Vice President Dick Cheney

real clear politics ^ | 11/17/2005 | milwguy

[milwguy]

As most of you know, I have spent a lot of years in public service, and first came to work in Washington, D.C. back in the late 1960s. I know what it's like to operate in a highly charged political environment, in which the players on all sides of an issue feel passionately and speak forcefully.

In such an environment people sometimes lose their cool, and yet in Washington you can ordinarily rely on some basic measure of truthfulness and good faith in the conduct of political debate. But in the last several weeks we have seen a wild departure from that tradition.

And the suggestion that's been made by some U.S. senators that the President of the United States or any member of this Administration purposely misled the American people on pre-war intelligence is one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city.

"Some of the most irresponsible comments have, of course, come from politicians who actually voted in favor of authorizing force against Saddam Hussein. These are elected officials who had access to the intelligence, and were free to draw their own conclusions.

They arrived at the same judgment about Iraq's capabilities and intentions that was made by this Administration and by the previous Administration. There was broad-based, bipartisan agreement that Saddam Hussein was a threat … that he had violated U.N. Security Council Resolutions … and that, in a post-9/11 world, we couldn't afford to take the word of a dictator who had a history of WMD programs, who had excluded weapons inspectors, who had defied the demands of the international community, who had been designated an official state sponsor of terror, and who had committed mass murder.

Those are facts.

What we're hearing now is some politicians contradicting their own statements and making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war. The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out. American soldiers and Marines are out there every day in dangerous conditions and desert temperatures – conducting raids, training Iraqi forces, countering attacks, seizing weapons, and capturing killers – and back home a few opportunists are suggesting they were sent into battle for a lie.

The President and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone – but we're not going to sit by and let them rewrite history.

We're going to continue throwing their own words back at them. And far more important, we're going to continue sending a consistent message to the men and women who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other fronts.

We can never say enough how much we appreciate them, and how proud they make us. They and their families can be certain: That this cause is right … and the performance of our military has been brave and honorable … and this nation will stand behind our fighting forces with pride and without wavering until the day of victory.

[milwguy]

The president and vice president have finally woken up to the fact the Demorats will say anything to damage our country...Karl Rove is back too, and the tide is starting to turn in the war over the 'truth' about Iraq. The RNC video is priceless with the clip of Nancy Pelosi, what an ass she is. I want to puke every time I see her or Harry Reid spouting off on tv.

[Grampa Dave]

CHENEY FIGHTS BACK Wed Nov 16 2005 18:56:46 ET Excerpts As Prepared For Delivery Tonight by Vice President Cheney

"What we’re hearing now is some politicians contradicting their own statements and making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war. The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out. American soldiers and Marines are out there every day in dangerous conditions and desert temperatures – conducting raids, training Iraqi forces, countering attacks, seizing weapons, and capturing killers – and back home a few opportunists are suggesting they were sent into battle for a lie."

"The President and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone – but we’re not going to sit by and let them rewrite history."

"We’re going to continue throwing their own words back at them. And far more important, we’re going to continue sending a consistent message to the men and women who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other fronts."

[EagleUSA]

Bravo! Now keep the momentum going.

[Brooklyn Kid]

Are you posing as Dick Cheney? ; )

[mortal19440]

The President and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone – but we're not going to sit by and let them rewrite history.

I hope they start naming these spineless jerks, both Dems and Republicans.

[Dustbunny]

I am so glad they are finally fighting back. I was on overload from all the lies the DeMARXocarts keep spewing.

[midwyf]

It is about time, and I do hope they keep it up. I would like to see daily ads with Jay Rockefeller being interviewed by Chris Wallace, when asked if he is not responsible for his own words and he replies....No. The truth at last!

[Bitsy]

I feel empowered by what is happening so I emailed some of the jerks this AM - just to let them know we're thinking about them. I dodn't bother with a message just put comments in the subject line. Of course, Durbin's came back to me - I guess he doesn't really want to know how we feel. Big traitor!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

What took so long ? The MSM has them smeared already.

[hiramknight]

It's about time they started to defend themselves! I hope they continue the barrage with names, dates, speeches, and interviews. What the other side is doing is reprehensible and just this side of treasonous. Defaming the president of the United States during war time and providing aid comfort to the enemy.

YO LEFTIES, WATCH YOURSELVES!! Your coming awefully close to the line.

[SeeSalt]

"I hope they start naming these spineless jerks, both Dems and Republicans."

Yes Yes! And they should the RNC film with their statements before and after.

[TheForceOfOne]

Cheney Bumperoo!

[wildbill]

The MSM has smeared them already"

Exactly. They refuse to go by polls in this WH but they ignore them at their peril. The public relations war over Iraq has already been lost because they ignored it.

I think the administration's sense of public sentiment was lost when Karen Hughes left the WH.

[Mia T]

the RNC should run the video on TV.

CHENEY: CALL THEM REPREHENSIBLE

[nuconvert]

What a GREAT speech!