Posted on 01/01/2007 1:21:01 AM PST by STARWISE
Dick Cheney has forged a reputation as the most powerful but also least visible vice-president in recent history. In the next few weeks, however, he will be forced to fight some of his battles in the open – in the courtroom and on Capitol Hill.
The first test will come in the criminal trial of his former chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter” Libby, charged with lying to a grand jury during an investigation into how a CIA agent’s name was leaked. The trial, due to begin in two weeks, is likely to set an ignominious precedent when Mr Cheney becomes the first vice-president to testify in a trial.
Mr Cheney’s legal team are also steeling themselves for the launch of legislative investigations by the new Democrat-controlled Congress.
In 2004 the vice-president felt confident enough to dismiss questions from Patrick Leahy, then a powerless Democrat, with a lewd invitation for him to do something sexually impossible. Now, he faces political revenge: Mr Leahy, the incoming chairman of the judiciary committee, has said he will issue subpoenas to secure documents that show whether the Bush administration authorised torture as part of its “war on terror”.
He also vowed to look into no-bid Iraq contracts, including those awarded to Halliburton, a company the vice-president once ran. He said: “At the risk of incurring another of Vice-President Cheney’s special season’s greetings, I ask: ‘Where did all the money go?’ ”
Mr Cheney enters this spotlight a weakened but not necessarily chastened figure, with fewer allies. Disaffected Republicans blame him as much as President George W. Bush for their minority status. His image for gravitas has been tarnished by public mockery. A dead deer recently found outside his residence revived mocking stories of when he went hunting and accidentally shot his friend in the face.
His influence has never come from his popularity outside the White House, but from his access within it. That has not changed. Josh Bolten, the White House chief of staff, told the FT: “He is a welcome participant in every meeting the president is in, he sits in on almost all the policy meetings and avoids a lot of the ceremonial stuff, he doesn’t show-boat, I guess that’s an understatement. But he’s there with his advice and counsel, and experience on almost every area.”
Even so, there are signs that the president’s confidence in his judgment has waned. He was cut out of the decision to oust his ally Donald Rumsfeld as secretary of defence, a move he vigorously opposed. “They really are genuinely close friends but the president doesn’t always take his advice,” said Mr Bolten.
On economic policy, Mr Cheney is likely to see his influence overshadowed by Hank Paulson, the Treasury secretary. “Bush made Hank his singular economic policy adviser on domestic and international affairs,” says a former Treasury official. “The president made it clear he would drive economic policy.”
The first test of the relative power of the two men could come over concessions on social security reform. “There is talk of a possible entitlement reform deal involving raising taxes. My guess is [Cheney] would play a role as someone who will resist that,” says Cesar Conda, his former domestic policy adviser.
In the Senate, the vice-president – who formally presides over the chamber – holds a tie-breaking vote and Mr Cheney could be called to exercise this more often with the Democrats holding only a slim majority, and especially if Tim Johnson, the South Dakota Democrat who was taken ill before Christmas, remains in hospital.
With the Republicans losing control of the House, keeping the party’s Senate minority unified is vital as the last line of defence for the presidential agenda. “The Senate has become more critical. It is no longer about how to get 287 votes in the House and 60 in the Senate, but how you get 41 votes in the Senate to block something. That’s your power,” says one former senior Cheney aide.
Trent Lott, the incoming Senate Republican whip, who has known Mr Cheney since they were “young squirts in the House”, predicts that the vice-president will have “increased significance over the next two years, keeping the relationship between the White House and Republican rank and file in reasonable bounds. Many have never been in the minority before and need a little stroking and coaching.”
Nevertheless Mr Cheney is an awkward unifying figure. Senators Arlen Specter, John McCain, John Warner and Lindsay Graham are still smarting from clashes over the surveillance and interrogation of suspected terrorists. “There is some damage with those individuals, but events could take care of that,” says one former Cheney aide.
Indeed, there is a danger for the Democrats that if they push too hard with subpoenas Republicans could rally around the vice-president.
Mr Lott warns them not to over-reach: “The Republicans found that when they impeached President Bill Clinton. They will find Cheney a tough hombre.”
"And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."
Ding
I have never heard or read anything from the VP's office, nor on radio or TV, that did not coincide with the Oval Office.
yitbos
I beg to differ,
Mrs. Clinton had more power as v.p. then does Cheney.
This is 99 percent wishful thinking from some anonymous editorial drone at the Financial Times who is obviously as ignorant as a mushroom in the bottom of the local grocery store produce bin.
Vice President Dick Cheney has more cajones than every 'Rat in the Senate, and the RINOs too.
I was thinking more along the lines of their private jets, beach fronts, and off-shore accounts ;-)
That's like saying telling the police about a crime one witnessed makes one "ignominious". Cheney isn't accused of any wrongdoing here--I guess these writers think participating in the legal process makes one ignominious.
"big" dick cheney is quivering at the thought of being asked the tough questions by lurch and plugs biden, thanks for the morning laugh.
LOL! I have to belive the rats are more worried about questions they can't ask rather than questions they can. Cheney will verbally eviscerate anyone who arrives less than completely prepared to deal with the truth.
Cheney's not being out in front and articulating the WOT has hurt Republicans enormously
Define power.
And, how 'bout you provide a few examples, hmm?
This comment is ridiculous I am sure he was advised and I am sure he spoke to Don Rumsfeld as well who actually resigned - the difference this time was the President accepted the resignation in the past when offered he refused to do so.
Also maybe the VP was not spoken to at great length on this but maybe - just maybe the President felt this was not seemly as it is well known that the VP is a close personal friend of Don Rumsfeld.
These media types really get up my nose they twist everything including something that the President may and I say may have done or not done as only these 2 men know exactly what was said privately. IMHO the President either spared the Vice President having to comment on the fact that this time the Presidentwas going to accept the resignation or he may have felt it was not correct etiquette given the closeness of Rummy and Cheney.
Good manner and etiquette mean nothing to the press.
Also taking up Josh Bolten's comments the fact that someone does not automatically take the advise of someone else on all matters does not diminish the respect or in a positive way the influence and counsel that person gives.
The most significant fact IMHO of the high esteem he is held in and valued counsel he offers is that VP Cheney is present at all high level security meetings and normally sits in all top meetings the President participates in - he just does not wish or feel it appropriate it participate in media photo op after. Probably mainly the latter so that the meeting is shown in the public persona as purely the President being there. Once again showing good manners and etiquette from his side something once again the press does not understand.
The article also says something about the Vice President not be as visible as previous VPs. Is this really true and if so in what way? Maybe other VPs have been more visible because they were preparing their run for President not visible because they were actually carrying out their duties as VP.
I speculate that in actual policy, getting the job done probably this VP is as visible and more hard working in his actual job than any previous VP has or ever will be. He was deliberately picked that he would not spend half or more of his time planning his run at the Presidency but would actuall act as counsel and assist the President in actually running the country. What a novel concept /sarcasm
Well they can't impeach the President until they destroy Dick Cheney, so yes he's going to have a very rough year.
However, it's Dick Cheney. And they are midgets. (/ with apologies to actual midgets)
Thats because Lott was a pnssy afraid to pursue the crimes and high treason that Clinton could have EASILY been found guilty of! Democraps do not have that fear and unlike Frist and Lott possess a spine loaded with spikes!
Cheney is great in that he fights back. It's actually too bad Cheney isn't the president.
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