Observer (UK): 'Dick Cheney: Washington trembles at the return of 'Darth Vader' (May 24)

[Jackeens]

Dick Cheney: Washington trembles at the return of 'Darth Vader'

Dick Cheney was a formidable backroom operator during his eight years as vice-president in the Bush administration. Having abandoned his short-lived retirement in Wyoming, he is now leading the Republican charge against Obama from the front. Ewen MacAskill reports from Washington on the political resurrection of the last true believer of the neo-con years

Barack Obama, unlike George Bush who wanted to be in bed before 10pm, likes to work late. But even by his standards Wednesday was out of the ordinary, sitting up in a largely empty White House until 2.30am as he edited a speech an adviser later described as one of the most important of his life.

He was still nervous about it when he rose to deliver it eight hours later. Normally Mr Cool, he fluffed his opening, referring to the defence secretary, Robert Gates, as Bill, the Microsoft founder.

Part of the explanation for the bout of jitters is that Obama is struggling to contain an ever-growing row over the future of Guantánamo Bay and the security apparatus created by the Bush administration as part of its "war on terror". But there is another factor: the return of an opponent the Democrats had thought of as politically dead: Dick Cheney. The sinister, reclusive figure at the heart of the Bush administration, who attracted labels such as Darth Vader and Dr Strangelove, has returned to the heart of Washington and is causing havoc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/24/dick-cheney-washington-return

[bluedeminredstate]

1. Interesting article

but the writer portrays Obama as being rattled by Cheney. He even wrote that Obama messed up the opening of his speech on Thursday because of Cheney's presence all over the place. Really? How would the writer know that? Just the facts please.
However, I did enjoy this description of Cheney's less than cozy personality:

"Is it possible that Cheney, in spite of poor health and poor popularity ratings, might be planning a shot at the presidency? Those who know him rule it out, citing his heart attacks and other health problems.

One of those watching Cheney on Thursday said, in response to the suggestion that he could be a contender: "Are you crazy? Have you seen him trying to work a crowd."

Cheney reinforced the point as he delivered his speech, speaking in a monotone, unsmiling, hunched over, reading his script without the benefit of an autocue. Two thirds of the way through, a room packed with sympathisers began to look for distractions, mainly their mobiles and Blackberries, with one openly reading the Wall Street Journal."

:rofl:

[Jackeens]

2. "Are you crazy? Have you seen him trying to work a crowd."

:rofl:

And, somehow, I just can't picture him being comfortable with the electioneering baby-kissing business:



As for Mary Matalin's comment: "There's no more politics there. He's not settling any scores. He just wants people to understand."

Right Mary, right.

[jenmito]

3. He called Robert Gates WILLIAM Gates, not BILL Gates. And you know how I know that?

OBAMA, unlike Bush, doesn't change transcripts when he makes a mistake as seen here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-On-National-Security-5-21-09/

He even keeps the HECKLING and BOOING in his transcripts as shown in his Notre Dame speech:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Notre-Dame-Commencement/

[tinrobot]

4. I think Cheney is the one who's rattled.

The only reason he's on the attack is as a form of preemptive defense.

He knows full well that he could be in jail for what he did.

[Zynx]

5. Darth Vader was once good and also redeemed himself when he saw the error

of his ways when the emperor was killing his son.

I don't think Dick Cheney was ever good and will also never redeem himself.