March 15, 2009
Posted: 10:56 AM ET

ALT TEXT

Photo credit: Josh Rubin/CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney said the administration was not to blame for poor economic conditions in the country, telling CNN's John King congressional Democrats had prevented it from heading off the financial threat posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that September 11 had forced the United States into "wartime mode" and spending.

Watch: 'I worry very much' about Obama's economic policies, says Cheney

Asked by King about key measures of economic health that had declined during the Bush administration, Cheney replied that there were "all kinds of arguments to be made on that point, but there's something that's more important than the specific numbers you're talking about, and that had to be priority for our administration: eight months after we arrived, we had 9/11. We had 3,000 Americans killed one morning by Al Qaeda terrorists here in America.

"We immediately went into wartime mode, we ended up with two wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq, some of that still very active. We had major problems with respect to things like Katrina, for example. All of these things required us to spend money that we had not originally planned to spend, or weren't originally part of the budget," he said.

"Stuff happens. And the administration has to be able to respond to that, and we did."

Filed under: Dick Cheney • State of the Union


keekers   March 15th, 2009 12:59 pm ET

MORON. Why does anyone care or respect what this monster thinks.

All Republicans are window lickers   March 15th, 2009 12:58 pm ET

yeah baby and ib: please STFU and go lick your windows you are a disgrace to the American society. Once again the Retards are justifying spending money on something other than the American people.

Elly   March 15th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

i often wonder how Cheney and Bush sleep at night ..they are sneaky and crooked!!!
Look at all the fallout from their illegal war in Iraq over oil and revenge for Bushs daddy and lying propaganda
Thousands of troops killed and maimed , Thousands of innocent Iraqis killed and displaced !!
tell me cheney how do you feel when you look at a veteran who is burned beyond recognition for your LIES and your worried about skooter Libby
Shows you how shallow this man really is
no wonder the economy is in the sewer from all the Trillions spent in Iraq and the money that cannot be accounted for by your contracting
company Haliburton!!
Bush and him should be charged with war crimes
I have no respect for either

tim   March 15th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

You are a traitor, Dick. No one cares what you think.

Mark - Houston   March 15th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

I guess the bulk of the rational/informed people are at church this morning. I would be myself but am baby sitting, and this is what I found. What a terrible day it is to see so much hate on a Sunday morning.

Sarah   March 15th, 2009 12:50 pm ET

The first part of his statement is the truthtelling:

"We had 3,000 Americans killed one morning…"

Robert Nicholson   March 15th, 2009 12:48 pm ET

It is very telling that they would give this guy a voice right now. It tells me that the mainstream media doesn't support Obama's agenda and they use criminals like Cheney to undermine it.

Carol   March 15th, 2009 12:43 pm ET

No one cares what you think any more Dick. Those of us with a brain figured you out, got rid of you, and have moved on. You ought to STFU and be thankful that Obama's a tad busy right now cleaning up your godawful mess to put you on trial for being a war criminal.

Concerned citizen   March 15th, 2009 12:39 pm ET

"mstrmac " your post declares you a complete idiot?

heidi   March 15th, 2009 12:38 pm ET

They never give up do they-I to am waiting fr his inditment.

Mordor   March 15th, 2009 12:37 pm ET

Noah March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

\as the overwhelming majority of people in this country haven't served in the military OR done one thing (other than pay taxes) for the betterment of our nation.

and the repulicans even whine about doing that…

Fan of Common Sense   March 15th, 2009 12:37 pm ET

9/11 DID NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS NOT SPENDING ENOUGH MONEY………….IT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME INTO THIS COUNTRY WHO SHOULD NOT BE HERE!! There are dozens (if not hundreds) of aviation schools throughout the middle east. There was no reason why the 9-11 highjackers had to get their training in this country. None of them should have been granted visas.

This whole War-On-Terror thing has become nothing but an excuse for politicians to deliver pork to their constituents…thereby increasing their own power and personal wealth. Diverting another 9-11 would not cost a single cent, if we would just start employing some common sense.

Lockemuploosethekey   March 15th, 2009 12:33 pm ET

Why don't they check and see how Trficky Dicks bank account is stacked /looks after all the Halliburton type schemes Tricky Dick has pulled .
Omg if there was ever a crook he at the top of that long list of that 8 years of hell, lies and waterboarding .
Use the waterboarding on Cheney give him a taste of his own medecine.

Griff............... on The Truth...   March 15th, 2009 12:33 pm ET

They didn't? Maybe they should..

Fed Up w/Gov't   March 15th, 2009 12:33 pm ET

Iraq was Bush's war. Escalating Afghanistan is Obama's doing. Both wars are unwarranted. I don't see that Obama has changed anything.

J French   March 15th, 2009 12:32 pm ET

Sounds like he is laying the groundwork for an insanity plea!!

Lockemuploosethekey   March 15th, 2009 12:32 pm ET

Why don't they check and see how Trficky Dicks bank account is stacked /looks after all the Halliburton type schemes Tricky Dick has pulled .
Omg if there was ever a crook he at the top of that long list of that 8 years of hell, lies and waterboarding .
Use the waterboarding on Cheney give him a taste of his own medecine.

Griff............... on The Truth...   March 15th, 2009 12:29 pm ET

And then they switched sides, and Cheney asked him a few.

sick n tired of being a victim of Nazi CNN moderators   March 15th, 2009 12:26 pm ET

So you're plan to fly planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to create fear among the general public worked out well for you and Bush? Is that what you're telling us DICK????????????

Ohio Woman   March 15th, 2009 12:23 pm ET

Noah, puuleeese, what nonsense. Remember, Dick Cheney got five deferments during draft days (Vietnam) due to "other priorities, and Bush was just out partying while his Dad kept him out of the line of fire. Halliburton, no-bid contracts, anyone?

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   March 15th, 2009 12:18 pm ET

"Wartime mode?" You're a paranoiac creep, Cheeny!

WWII was a war; Iraq is an astonishing overreaction to a manifest lie, managed with appalling ineptness. Starting the war was so senseless a thing to do it looks to me like it was an excuse for doing something else–I just haven't figured out yet what that was.

On the other hand, maybe Cheny and Bush really are just paranoid nut-cases.

Va 4 Obama   March 15th, 2009 12:16 pm ET

Who does Dick Cheney think he's kidding?? He continues to blame our current situation on forces beyond his control ~ what??? He and Bush made a conscious decision to lie to the American people about WMD in Iraq so they could invade a country purely for their own profit while the American tax payers footed the bill!!

Here's hoping the world decides to bring him, Bush, Rumsfeld, Rove and the rest of the lying bunch of thieves and thugs up on war crime charges at the Hague. Couldn't happen to a nicer fellow!!!

KCBob   March 15th, 2009 12:15 pm ET

I got a shoe with your name on it..you piece of poo

Jon   March 15th, 2009 12:14 pm ET

Why is this super-vampyre being given any air time to voice his opinions?
8 + years is more than enough.

Mickey, New York   March 15th, 2009 12:12 pm ET

Why do we continue to give these Republican criminals a platform to spew their inflammatory rhetoric?

Just like these criminals taped the torture of individuals, I hope someone gets the moment Cheney's heart explodes on video, and posts it on YouTube.

Barry in Maryland   March 15th, 2009 12:11 pm ET

The Democrats in Congress were in the minority for the first 6 years of the Bush/Cheney administration. The Republicans controlled all branches of government nearly the entire 8 years of Bush and Cheney. The Iraq war was planned by Bush, Cheney and company. It was not something beyond their control. The huge budget surpluses that Bush and Cheney inherited were dissipated in the first year of their administration and made worse in every subsequent year by their huge and irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy. Cheney has an interesting variation on Harry Truman's motto. That is, "The buck stops somewhere else".

Gman   March 15th, 2009 12:11 pm ET

I am sick of hearing the “9-11” argument for why the federal budget deficit increased so much during the Bush presidency. Recall that 9-11 happened at the beginning of Bush’s FIRST term. Even if we give Bush all of his first term for unconstrained “war time” spending, by the start of his second term, Bush – as a self-proclaimed fiscal conservative — had a choice:

1) Increase taxes to pay for all the spending on the Iraq war and other priorities,
or
2) Reduce spending in Iraq and elsewhere.

Instead, Bush chose option 3: DECREASE taxes, AND ALSO continue spending in Iraq.

chenna benna   March 15th, 2009 12:09 pm ET

That's right Cheney. Deny everything.

I honestly think that our new president is trying to lead this nation away from the the old, wreckless policies that got us into this mess. All of the old conservative political hacks can't handle all this change the president is proposing. I think it's frying his brains into "spin" overload.

The worst is now the media has been pushing their talking points. All the calls about "is the president doing to much." Boy that's something we never heard the last eight years. The president actually trying to be productive. Also, the whole notion that it an Obama recession is ridiculous. I get a kick out of some news organizations showing a chart of the DOW continuing to go down from inauguration day. Yeah somehow the DOW continuing to fall, that has been in free fall well before Obama came into office, is all Obama's fault. I guess if the conservatives start saying that the Iraq war was somehow his fault, we can also blame him for Iraq too.

mstrmac   March 15th, 2009 12:09 pm ET

I agree
yeah baby March 15th, 2009 11:10 am ET
Tell 'em Cheney. Hope to see you out there speaking up on all of these issues and setting the record straight. Don't let the Trotskyists rewrite history and deceive the American public.

The Dems set up the conditions for the mortgage crisis then they failed to head frequent warnings of catastrope.

The Dems just tripled the national dept in one day after complaining for years about the relatively low levels of debt under Bush.

It took longer than planned….and it was more difficult than hoped….but we won in Iraq. Despite every road block the Dems and their media lapdogs set up.

You're a true patriot. Keep up the good fight.

Rob   March 15th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

The strong ties that Cheney has with our U.S. intelligence ….very sensitive information . He will end up being our biggest threat to our country. If President Obama doesn't act on cutting Cheney's ties with this info, we can be in some trouble…Cheney never finished his embezzling. A greed driven soul with his power can be dangerous to the U.S. and it's citizens.

Texas Teacher   March 15th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

Commentators, if you choose one of my comments, please let it be the last. As I reread what I wrote before, I could see that my fingers were ahead of my brain. I just had to get that out!

Bush had nothing but guilt written all over his face at the 9/11 site! Very convenient that 9/11, it laid the ground work for us to go into the Iraqi war! And though it cost the tax payers more money than we can even imagine, Bush and Cheney got rich off that war. No doubt they still are! It sickens me to think of what that administration did to this country! And Cheney is trying to justify it… beyond reason! That is all… just beyond reason!

Christy Elmasri   March 15th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

If Cheney and G.W. keep up their blathering, just maybe it will keep it in the forefront as to their culpability to the entire mess and enable the general public at large to continue holding their feet to the fire!
President Obama inherited a bigger problem than just about any President has had to figure out and un-tangle and this will take considerable time due to the "hide and seek" tactics that G.W. and Cheney have utilized to try to cover their tracks. President Obama seems to have the patience and the intelligence that was seriously lacking during the past 8 years to dig in and do what he can to clean up after the incompetency of Bush and Cheney years in the White House. And if you can't stand to watch the scariest man in the entire U.S., change the channel! We need to know what our enemies are doing and saying! That's sort of why I tune in to Fox News and listen to screatchers like Rush and Coulter!

Kent in CA   March 15th, 2009 12:07 pm ET

Hey Dick! All that spending and Bin Laden is still out there! Did you happen to notice? Of course you never really intended to get him. There is a lot more profit to be made with Osama at large, isn't there?
Jon Stewart should have interviewed this crook. Stewart would have asked the questions Americans really want answers to. John King is a wimp.

Alison   March 15th, 2009 12:05 pm ET

This is a painful chapter-don't look back. Make a new way. Promote prosperity and abundance and peace and good will for all nations,and all races, and all peoples, all ages, no distinctions, no lies, just joy, and peace of mind. Smile, work hard, and make a better day. We can all stand together, and forgive our nation. We can all stand together, and make way for rejeuvenation. Just use your imagination, and see a brighter day. God/Universe, Momentum loves all of us, and will help along the way. Just stay positive, and believe in yourself. You can make a difference, bring a smile, and erase the doubt. Peace to you and all that you cherish. Om Santih Santih Om

John Snow   March 15th, 2009 12:03 pm ET

Except for Lincoln being shot, there was no other violence at Ford's theater that night so it was a success.

Texas Teacher   March 15th, 2009 12:02 pm ET

Oh, Bullsh… well, I don't believe a word that comes out of this man's mouth! Iraq was very convenient! Although it had absolutely NOTHING to do with 9/11, we sent our young men and women into war there with not even bullet proof vests! I still cannot get over the fact that on 9/11 our President sat reading to school children and whe he heard that we were under attack he countinued to read for 8 more minutes! Then a flight crew that flew him from DC, could not fly him back, but went in the wrong direction. Once he got to DC, his first order of business was to get his Saudi friends on planes and OUT of DC. Coincidence? I don't think so! All this time Cheney was in an undisclosed location. We could find Huissen in a hole in the ground, but we could not find bin Laden? And there are those who can say that we did not cause 9/11? I'm sorry, I do not agree… nor will I ever!

RS Houston   March 15th, 2009 12:02 pm ET

Right on Mr. Cheney. You and President Bush did a fantastic job while in office. Thank you for your service.

Ray Fisher   March 15th, 2009 12:02 pm ET

The "Spending" to which Cheney refers was simply a "Give-away" for his contractor buddies which accomplished nothing. Simply review the no-bid contracts granted to Halliburton, Blackwater, etc… which they didn't perform, absconding with money, equipment and materials, electrocuting our troops with faulty labor, the list is long and disgusting!!! All the contracting companies made out like bandits while our troops suffered under extended tours, multiple deployments, faulty living quarters, stress, combat, IEDs, etc… I'm sorry but no matter how Cheney or anyone wishes to distort history, the Bush/Cheney debacle will remain an unnecessary stain on our nation paid in full by our heroes still serving proudly!!!

Texas Teacher   March 15th, 2009 11:59 am ET

Oh, Bullsh… well, I don't believe a word that comes out of this man's mouth! Iraq was very convenient! Although it had absolutely NOTHING to do with 9/11, we sent our young men and women into war there with not even bullet proof vests! I still cannot get over the fact that on 9/11. We could find Huissen in a hole in the ground, but we could not find bin Laden? And there are those who can say that we did not cause 9/11? I'm sorry, I do not agree… nor will I ever!

paul f.   March 15th, 2009 11:59 am ET

once again. that loud mouth cheny is spouting crap again. He needs to go away, preferably to prison for treson. where he belongs.cheny & his v.p. bush should wise up &realise the country knows they tanked the economy, killed thousands of our troops in a war they stsrted & we had no businnes beig in.God bless obama america's prayers are with you. cnn you need to figure it out america is sick & tired of the evil stinch attached to the texas mafia, and just let that trash fade away..

Kim   March 15th, 2009 11:58 am ET

Lies and deceit. I'm still waiting on his indictment.

Ernie   March 15th, 2009 11:58 am ET

Cheney, shut your face and get gone.

Jerry Houston   March 15th, 2009 11:58 am ET

Thrilled, I didn't watch this garbage. I think John King and Chaney cronies are the only one's who carea about what Cheney thinks. Althougn, I don't recall John K. interviewing or Cheney giving any interviews when he was destroying the country.

ttofast70@comcast.net   March 15th, 2009 11:57 am ET

Dick Cheney, first of all you are appropriately named. Secondly, YOU ARE THE ANTI-CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom, Bradenton,FL   March 15th, 2009 11:57 am ET

If a country like the US and with the resources like the US and with an already overblown defense budget had to spend out of control just to fight an invisible backwards enemy imagine what if the Soviets had attacked us. My father was career military and we under constant threats by the RAF and bases have been bombed in the 70′ and 80's in Europe but we did not go nuts over it. The british, spaniards and Israelis have these problems and do not bankrupt themselves. No Cheney/Bush are retards.

bob in LA   March 15th, 2009 11:56 am ET

Revisionist history is wonderful. Most american were in such shock, they missed the facts of 9/11. The people in the towers were told the towers were safe and not to evacuate right away and that is why 3000 people died. Had we they been evacuated immediately the loss would have been about 1000.
9/11 did not cause our war debt- there is no conncetion between Iraq and 9/11. Our war against the 9/11 killer s in Afghanistan and is pennies by comparrision the Iraq.
Corporate and the American peoples greed caused our financial problems. Slow steady income growth was not enoug for business or stockholders. Sane home buying principals was not enough for most banks or Americans.
And lack of leadership for 8 years- both in the White House and on the Hill caused the problem. Lawyers controlling money is insane but that is what makes up our leadership.

a duncan   March 15th, 2009 11:56 am ET

Perhaps, with a little waterboarding, (it's not really torture according to Bush), Cheney will tell the TRUTH.

ariveria   March 15th, 2009 11:55 am ET

back in the days when mccain had balls he said "when have we ever been at war and cut taxes."

bush could have raised takes to pay for his wars and everything else that happened.

Tommy Lee   March 15th, 2009 11:55 am ET

A smart nation became a nation of STUPID PEOPLE when it elected the same two idiots(GB/DC) not once, BUT TWICE.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   March 15th, 2009 11:55 am ET

Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and Cheney is still trying to sell this lie to Americans. Cheney's Haliburton are making more money on this war than Fannie/ Freddie and Katrina could ever cost Americans. This man is a liar and theif.

Ken   March 15th, 2009 11:54 am ET

To all of you nay sayers and deniers of the consequences of 9-11, I wish you all well because I don't believe Obama really as our best interests at heart, unless of course you believe that we should all be subservient to the federal government.

Another revolution may not be that far down the road. Think TEA for a starter.

bill   March 15th, 2009 11:54 am ET

Yes. 9/11 did have a detrimental impact on the country, but not on Dick Cheney and Halliburton.

The war made both parties very, very wealthy, even though it was based on made up lies.

Harry   March 15th, 2009 11:54 am ET

I have high respects for Bush-Cheney administration. People are blinded by Obama and liberal media. Look at what we are getting now. Perhaps USA will become like an African country say Kenya. I adks thos who support obama, got o kenya for a day or two. It resembles on what is going on here.

war criminal detector   March 15th, 2009 11:54 am ET

Will somebody tell this fool criminal that the neo cons lost?

He Said, She Said « Spreading the Word   March 15th, 2009 11:54 am ET

[...] to resuscitate the economy, confront our enemies, supply aid to our allies complain that he’s spending too much money, he’s not cutting enough taxes, he’s not living up to his campaign promises, he’s not being [...]

Greg Hamby   March 15th, 2009 11:51 am ET

Hello: Dick Cheny is a fear monger. The purpose of this is war profiteering. The Cheny/Bush admin was an agent for the military industrial complex just as the Reagan admin, was. Both of these admins. represented the same cartel of weapons producers who loot the treasury of the country Remember this, the aftermath of both admins. resulted in a recession.
I am in the building business and I have experienced this reality. In the real world when can you sign a contract for a price and then come back and ask for 3 times or more money and get it. John McCain has fought against this.
At least we had the Clinton admin who excerised financial responsibility that gave us a chance to prosper for a while. Now we have to recover from the so called "conservatives" and their lack of financial and forign policy conservatism.
Cheny/Bush has made this country less secure by handing us a huge gain in the national debt which was handed to weapons producers.
There was no energy policy which also has made us less secure in that we are tied to the middle east.
There has never been democracy in Iraq since its birth in 4000 BC. Check your history. Why expect it now? The same goes for Persia/ Iran.
Good ridance to Cheny/Bush. and their war profiteering partners.
Give Pres. Obama a chance to sort this out. You cant reverse something that took 8 years to happen in 6 weeks.
Greg Hamby

b   March 15th, 2009 11:51 am ET

It's actually true. Democrats, including then Senator Barak Obama, did block any investigation or regulation of the mortgage practices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which every economist will agree are at the crux of economic downturn of the US economy. Low income families were given mortgages on homes they couldn't afford, they obviously defaulted on those mortgages because they couldn't afford them, and the rest of the ecomony has to deal with all this bad debt. It's true, democrats in congress blocked any change. Look it up. You can't question facts.

Mark   March 15th, 2009 11:50 am ET

Cheney should keep his mouth shut – he's providing evidence when he goes to trial as a war criminal. Scratch that – let him speak – it'll make the trial go faster and put this criminal behind bars.

Larry   March 15th, 2009 11:50 am ET

Cheney says, " We had 3,000 Americans killed one morning by Al Qaeda terrorists here in America." Yes, under your watch. You screwed up and you tried to solve it by have another 4,000 plus Americans killed by you stupid policies.

Jim   March 15th, 2009 11:49 am ET

Maybe, someday, those two will get put to death for wartime crimes.

Sam SixPack   March 15th, 2009 11:49 am ET

Its a good thing we can rant about Cheney. Otherwise, we would have to focus on the ONGOING robbery.

dixie howell   March 15th, 2009 11:48 am ET

chenny-busch lt the terriorist in and let them train to fly ,, they were from saudi arab. not iraqq, chenny got us into two wars annd bankrupted the country, end of story

Ben-Cohen   March 15th, 2009 11:48 am ET

My grandfather gave a very bit of sage advice "never trust anyone who talks out of the side of their mouth…." If you ever notice, Dick Cheney talks out of the side of his mouth so I deemed him untrustworthy the very first time I ever saw him when he was campaigning for GWB. I really don't know why CNN is giving this man coverage since he is no longer in power and as far as I am concerned his opinion is worthless, right up there with Sarah Palin's opinion!!
I remember early on into the 9/11 situation GWB was quoted as saying he wanted to be remembered as a war-time president. Well, the historians will give him that one for sure right along with the Herbert Hoover Award for sending our country into another deep, dark depression. Dick Cheny fails to mention how the Republic party was asleep at the switch and how all the bank failures that have occurred was because there wasn't proper legislation and rules to stop the kind of reckless mortages that were made along with the inability of the American people to be able to afford $2,000/month house payments. There is simply no excuse for what has happened.

Chris   March 15th, 2009 11:48 am ET

true that 9/11 killed 3,000 people – what does Iraq and the $10 billion a month, coupled with tax cuts have to do with that?

Sam SixPack   March 15th, 2009 11:48 am ET

Its a good thing we can rant about Cheney. Otherwise, we would have to focus on the ONGOING robbery.

Gringo   March 15th, 2009 11:47 am ET

I love the fallacy that the Bush adminstration keeps pushing "We prevented fruther attacks". Fact is and will remain, those two ponds on either side of us, the Pacific and Atlantic, is what prevents attacks. If we were attached to Europe all this would have happened years ago. So lets put that defense to bed. Chaney, look at a globe, we are geographically isolated and thats why terror attacks are difficult to execute in the US. All Bush and you did was start baseless wars, parade a fine American (Colin Powell) in front the world and make him lie, all to justify cleaning up W daddys mess. Startegic Bombing Survey after the first Gulf war put Iraq's existing military capabilities about 20% of per 1990 levels, it didnt increase enough in 8 years to justify this war. MIG's and WMD's buried in the desert?!? Please… fear mongering and equating everyone that didnt give you 100% blind loyalty as "Un-American" and "Un-patriotic" is the crime, you are neither a true American nor a Patriot.

Rob in San Diego   March 15th, 2009 11:47 am ET

Oh please! God, Cheney, you are still an idiot just like your f'ing boss. Yes, 9/11 changed America, but it should have changed it in a way that made sense. 99.999999% of Americans, and pea brained monkeys, could have pulled a switch and made better choices than your administration. Most of us would have gone after Al Queda rather than Saddam. Most of us would have done this because it was the right thing to do, not because we wanted to build our OWN LEGACY by showing everyone that we were a "war time president". Bush had the intention of attacking Iraq before he took office, which was way before 9/11. He used 9/11 as a reason, among many others that changed regularly when the populous and press rightfully canned each excuse, to attack Iraq. It made no sense at the time and it was much worse than he ever anticipated. But stay the course anyway, because you are not about to say, "I f'–d up and I'm sorry! Go to the Prague and hang.

Larry   March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

Please tell Mr Cheney now that he is done F'ing the American people he can now go F himself. Please go away Dick.

Roger   March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

Please have that old war horse retire and let people with more constuctive ideas take over. Bringing him back and asking questions of him is a huge waste of time.

Outraged   March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

Yeah, right, "we" couldn't help that 911 (which Cheney, Bush, et al encouraged) drove "us" into a wartime economy (which benefitted Cheney, Bush, et al)…. WHAT A CROCK!!!

Prosecute and convict the lot of them – NOW!!!

Bindu   March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

Is this man even for real?

Noah   March 15th, 2009 11:45 am ET

It's a shame people don't recognize how good for our nation bush/cheney were. Cheney is 100% on point when he says there were larger priorities during their time than the economy, AND that Freddie/Fannie Mac were a result of the Democrats. I don't expect this to fall on open ears/minds as the overwhelming majority of people in this country haven't served in the military OR done one thing (other than pay taxes) for the betterment of our nation.

gl, Pittsburgh   March 15th, 2009 11:44 am ET

Why in the hell do the media keep letting Chencey twist the true. The Republicans are too blame for this mess and now they just want to sit back in point fingers instead of comming up with a plan and help get us out of this mess! Chencey is a JOKER from Batman!

Jason S.   March 15th, 2009 11:44 am ET

What an unsurprising response by Cheney. Blame everything on 9/11.

Ivory   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

Why are our current crises being considered as to different issues when it is the "wartime mode" and outrageous gas prices that had the public paying more to commute going back and forth to work, than make at work to survive, spend money in our economy, or even save anything.

Stu in Las Vegas   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

What happened to all of that American Currency that was found at the beginning of the war? CNN and all the news covered it.

Should've asked Cheney that one. Seems to have just vanished, hmmm. "WHO TOOK THAT MONEY? We did not give it to Saddam, so where is the money?

Christy Elmasri   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

The Bush/Cheney Administration ran ruff shod over everything and shoved their will down our throats with their Republican co-horts in lock-step! These 2 clowns truly believe that they are blameless but also above the laws of our land! This is just another pathetic attempt to re-write the disastrous past 8 years with these 2 bumbling fools at the helm. I'd also bet they are trying to divert the attention away from serious investigations that could possibly charge G.W. and Cheney as criminals!
Bush Jr. spent our money on an egomanical whim in Iraq and Cheney has profited greatly from the no-bid contracts and his ties to much of what we spent so much on in Iraq. They should just "disappear" and never come out from under their rocks!

ili   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

The guy's a moron living in his own world guided by fear. He and his administration should be investigated.

Tim   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

There are some good points here (e.g., tmlc's comments), but the one that sums it up for me is GR's remark: I would prefer not to hear this man's voice again until he's under oath and being held accountable for his actions.

In the meantime, we need to focus on undoing the damage done in the past 8 years for the sake of all Americans.

Tim   March 15th, 2009 11:43 am ET

There are some good points here (e.g., tmlc's comments), but the one that sums it up for me is GR's remark: I would prefer not to hear this man's voice again until he's under oath and being held accountable for his actions.

In the meantime, we need to focus on undoing the damage done in the past 8 years for the sake of all Americans.

Bobby V   March 15th, 2009 11:41 am ET

He needs to be sent to the War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague – he truly was THE most dangerous person on Earth for 8 years.

virginia for obama   March 15th, 2009 11:38 am ET

But!. . . . Iraq had nothing to do with 911.

Saddam didn't attact us on 911, , , , , Bin Ladin did. . . . So stop

insulting our intelligents by trying to connect the two. YOU LIED!!!!

JUST ADMIT IT.

BT   March 15th, 2009 11:38 am ET

Yada, yada, yada, yada, yada = same old crap. You will have to do better than this to jusify your sorry excuse for screwing America!

All Cheney and his buddies cared about was lining their own pockets. Nothing – absolutely NOTHING was done for America.

Trang   March 15th, 2009 11:37 am ET

Dick Cheney, you have a different philosophy than Obama. You believe in toughness to get things through, Obama believe in gentleness in getting things through as much as he can, and getting tough when necessary. Thank God Obama gets in, because I felt really sick of your policy of approving torturing on a fellow human being. Yes, they may do bad things to us, but they are still a fellow human being. That is the basic difference – you label them as 'terrorist' and you feel you have the right to mistreat them, whereas Obama view them as a fellow human being who happen to do repulsive and destructive to society. On that basis, your approach to solve the problem will be different.

Carol, California   March 15th, 2009 11:36 am ET

I distrust Bush and Cheney to the point where I feel they caused this economic meltdown to divert attention away from their crimes while in office.

Cheney would be under indictment now if the new administration had time to pursue it. But they can't because the entire financial system suddenly collapsed, without warning, just before Bush left. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Noted economists and other experts really cannot explain how this happened without ANYONE seeing it coming. I think it was this clown and his buddy who are behind it. Some senators want to investigate them for what they were up to while in office – but no one in the U.S. will support it because we have to focus on the economy.

How convenient for DIck.

hdrider69   March 15th, 2009 11:35 am ET

He's still tap dancing around the issues and STILL lying and still blaming someone/other party for his administration's screw ups. Why is he still in the news? Why is any media source still interested in interviewing him about anything? His comments will still be the same fodder he and Bush fed the American public for eight years. We should only have to hear about Cheney one more time..in his obituary.

Independent   March 15th, 2009 11:33 am ET

All I have to say to the big liar is "JUST SHUT UP."

WHY can't you face up to all your MISTAKES!!!!!!!!!!

Soooooooo glad I didn't watch this catastrophe…

Shawn Bates   March 15th, 2009 11:33 am ET

I think Cheney is a big liar and I am looking forward to his prosecution. Second, what we did in Iraq, well you know that is against the geneva convention. Removing heads of states? Torture? Hmmm looks the Bush regime and republicans really must not read anything but what their script writers write?
Do you know that if you travel anywhere outside of the us you are spit on? Hmmm, and this is the result of the bush regime? My wife and her friends were nearly beaten in europe just cause they were americans. And this was cause bush took office? Btw show me that giving tax credits to company's that ship job overseas is good for economy? I can tell you that it is not. For those who actually think CEO's will put money back into their company after their profits are distributed, well you are sadly mistaken. They usually just buy a new house or send the money so they don't pay taxes on it. That is wrong and the republicans have no morals. They are mostly just rich white people who don't care for the poor or the minorities. The last republican who did was Abraham Lincoln, and he would be rolling over in his grave if he could see what Cheney and bush have done.

carolflowery   March 15th, 2009 11:33 am ET

In Mr. Cheney's defense, he is correct about the spending the horrendous events that happened during Bush's time.

JSU-TIGER99   March 15th, 2009 11:33 am ET

We have a government that would fight a ware before they help their own country. When (Katrina) happen it took them 7 days to get ther and when the Asia was cover with water they was over there in ONE HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe the Troll   March 15th, 2009 11:33 am ET

"Wartime mode" doesn't usually include tax breaks with two simultaneous wars, does it?

yen   March 15th, 2009 11:32 am ET

Look at the state of the country. Why are they given the chance to talk.
The state of the economy is telling enough about Bush and Chenny.The war has destroyed not only Iraq but America is done for a long time. At least they have to keep quite for a while.

wesley   March 15th, 2009 11:31 am ET

…and I "STILL" don't believe a word that liar has to say!

matt balitsaris   March 15th, 2009 11:30 am ET

Why is this buffoon on my tv and not in prison?

badger   March 15th, 2009 11:30 am ET

More denial coming from a war criminal, he helped make up the flawed data that allowed the US to go to war in Iraq. Now he says stuff happens? The only thing that happened was his buddys at Haliburton got super rich, him & GWB tried to have the executive branch become a secretive governing body with no checks or balances. They were the most invasive on American's privicy with illegal wire taps, spying on the citizens, hiding the cost of their war.
Someday Bush and Cheney will be known as the biggest terrorist against America there ever was. I can't believe that the news media still let's this guy spew his evil on the air waves.

A.P. Fremont, Ca.   March 15th, 2009 11:30 am ET

It's decisive military actions in the right places at the right time that will keep America MOST safe from terrorism. Tortured interrogation, in itself, is not what wins wars and defends a country against an enemy. The pre-emptive strike is most reliable from great technological intelligence…not tortured suspects who would say anything to stop their own torture. Dick Cheney is a Bozo……….

catmom   March 15th, 2009 11:30 am ET

Nothing surprising here. This administration and Republicans never have and never will take responsibility for anything that has occurred during the eight years of the Bush presidency. They continue to blame everyone and everything else on anything or anyone they can. Their failure to look at and accept that their policies have put this country in the shape it is in is pathetic. That Cheney would come out and criticize President Obama is disgusting in the least. Remember how much they whined when Bill Clinton did this to Bush. Republicans, Bush and Cheney are the reason this country is in the shape it's in and the American people will not forget that.

What they are trying to do is rewrite history the same way they did after Ronald Reagan. They will try to make people believe that the eight years under Bush/Cheney were the best years since Ronald Reagan. That our economy collapsed during that time is all related to 9/11. They will fail to mention that those responsible for 9/11 have never been captured. That they started a costly war in another country that had nothing to do with 9/11. That they allowed the economy to go bust and in the last six months of the Bush Presidency did absolutely nothing to stop the downfall. They won't talk about how bad their Presidency was and will try to make you believe it is all President Obama's fault. Not gonna work, no, not this time.

snuggs   March 15th, 2009 11:29 am ET

War Criminal

Don in Albuquerque   March 15th, 2009 11:28 am ET

Yes it was terrible what happened that Sept. morning, but Cheney only compounds it now by more lies.

Cynthia   March 15th, 2009 11:28 am ET

What a crack pot!

carlos   March 15th, 2009 11:27 am ET

GOP CRIMINALS

and now this guy Cantor is an expert on the economy

sickening and corrupt….Goons On Parade

sorry,I dont get paid to post   March 15th, 2009 11:27 am ET

He will say anything to keep from going to prison,including a terror attackby his own henchman.

Kim, Dallas, TX   March 15th, 2009 11:27 am ET

I suppose that when you are only focusing on Haliburton's balance sheets, the overall economy gets put to the wayside. Cheney needs to crawl back into his hole.

arnie   March 15th, 2009 11:26 am ET

I just listened to Eric Cantor. Do you guys actually believe the things that you say? No reality whatsoever. Please release your ideas that will work for the entire country and quit talking about President Obama's Plan. My emphasis is on the word "PLAN". Something you seem not to have. BTW, Mr. Cheney you were running this Country for 8 years and now you want to put this train wreck at the feet of the other party . HAHAHAHA:)

GET REAL!

rob   March 15th, 2009 11:26 am ET

All a bunch of BS. Dick Cheney should go crawl under a rock and shut up. Or better yet, go do some volunteer work somewhere. We don't care to hear from him any more so please stop giving him air time. Truly.

DL   March 15th, 2009 11:26 am ET

Using his logic…It was an emergency situation, that is why your administration spent so much? Look at things now and yet its party of "no". They have no problem tearing things up, and contribute NOTHING to fixing it.

Dan   March 15th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Cheney needs to be tried for war crimes. Gitmo's still open, we can send him there.

Joe the Plumber   March 15th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Cheney is only defending his tactics and his own doing. He ran the country, and Bush signed the papers. Bush is now hiding in TX, why he does not come out und tell us why? Becuase he cannot speak a complete sentence. It will take 20 years to clean this mess.

Steve H.   March 15th, 2009 11:22 am ET

It's time for "Spiro" Cheney to fade away.

Tmlc   March 15th, 2009 11:22 am ET

Cheney is stipulating that after WWII our economy bounced back like no other economy, because of all the war spending was driving jobs and servicemen who came back home to spend the money they made back here. The problem with that comparison is that during this war the money went to corporations like Black Water, no contract bid contractors and corporations who were paid to rebuild Iraq but instead just pocketed the money. So the money went to the top and not to the servicemen, like it did during WWII. Not that WWII servicemen were paid well, but they came out and had healthcare coverage and education grants they could actually use. The military did their own wash, cooked their own meals it wasn't some privatized company reaping the $ and not doing the work they were paid to do. No one is accountable for the money. Just look at the servicemen who were electrocuted and killed taking showers, who was accountable for that? It was a private company's failure. Cheney I hope you sleep well at night. Warmonger ~

DAN   March 15th, 2009 11:21 am ET

Cheney — Guess what? You are not in charge anymore. The Obama leadership is — and is doing a better job than you can only imagine. 9/11 could have been prevented – thanks to Bush. And for Katrina, the Bush Administration did NOTHING. You can't rest on your laurels at all — because you have none.

Step aside…. the Democrats are in power and they are doing something — including picking up all of your messes of the past 8 years.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

Lifesajourney   March 15th, 2009 11:21 am ET

CHENEY IS A DELUSIONAL CROOK. He ran our country into the ground for 8 years…..now it's time for him to SHUT UP. We don't care what this crook thinks, says or does. He belongs in jail, and we all know it.

David Gray   March 15th, 2009 11:21 am ET

3000 people died on 9/11. 18000 people die every year in this country because they don't have health insurance. So why did the Bush Administration spend so much money on one, but not the other?

Saad from NJ   March 15th, 2009 11:21 am ET

I don't get mad at this guy anymore…. I do NOT thing he's normal. He still believes in his retarded head that what he has put our nation through in the last 8 years was ok and justified. This guy is insane. And why would YOU give him the opportunity CNN? what is wrong with you?

This guys is responsible for causing us trillions of dollars of financial damage, hundreds of thousands of deaths (including our brave men and women as well as innocent Iraqi civilians) and is responsible for raising millions of Americans blood pressure and giving them a cancer of hopelessness.

I wish this guy well but CNN, please leave him alone now. Be on American public's side – not on the side of one individual.

Linda in MS   March 15th, 2009 11:20 am ET

we went to war in Iraq with information Bush had, which came from a very dubious source, an Iraqi who was later discredited. We went to war in Iraq because Bush wanted to believe there was evidence to do so, not because there was evidence. We went to war in Afghanistan because that's where Bin Laden and Al Qaida was and is today. Two totally different scenarios. Cheny is and was a liar.

Rubyredman   March 15th, 2009 11:19 am ET

…36 posts so far and 2 supporting the ex-VP. About right. Just shows there's still a small percentage of people who are so stuck then cannot learn.

DB25   March 15th, 2009 11:19 am ET

Dick Cheney is a loser. He has no right to make comments about other administrations on protecting the US. Remember what a great job they did of protecting us when Bush came into office? 9/11…great job Dick and Bush. If you had been doing such a wonderful job as you claim we never would have been attacked in the first place.

Simon   March 15th, 2009 11:19 am ET

Why isn't this traitor in a prison cell?

Big J   March 15th, 2009 11:18 am ET

Katie @ 10:59

You're arguments are not sound! You wouldn't know capitalism if it bit you! Or a joke if you heard it. You areonly repeating the same tired talk radio points that are geared to give you a quick fix of anger stoking. Now have a good day!

Joanna   March 15th, 2009 11:17 am ET

And the safety and stability of our own country is not an exception in our own country? I know this man is not serious when he says this. Opps i better be careful before he puts a hit out on me!

Jesse   March 15th, 2009 11:17 am ET

Wow. The republicans really have become a parody of themselves.

Agalag   March 15th, 2009 11:17 am ET

George Bush kept us safe. I wasn't as worried that a terrorist nation would attack us again with GWB; and Cheney is correct about all of that security being very, very expensive. Think about prior to 9/11–the alert levels, the security at the airports, the machinery to inspect the bags, all the extra personnel–didn't exist. Where do you all think the $$$ came from for these updates? The creation of just the TSA, for example–big money! Think about what your life was like prior to 9/11–and think about it now. Now think about George Bush. It could have been worse–a lot worse.

chris24   March 15th, 2009 11:16 am ET

the truth of the matter is: blah, blah, blah.

this spin doctor is insane.

find him a nice jail cell.

J. Huck   March 15th, 2009 11:16 am ET

Is CNN running out of news????

Why are they still giving airtime to this idiot… Congress should move on in prosecuting people in ths last administration starting from this monster.

Robert   March 15th, 2009 11:15 am ET

"we ended up with two wars" is a conveniently short way of glossing over the fact that one of them was based on lies (Iraq), and the other was supposed to be a limited war to go get Bin Laden.

US Special Forces actually had Bin Laden cornered, but were denied critical support. Mr. Cheney, can you tell me what your money smells like drenched in blood? A country in 'war mode' looks like it, but spending $90,000 on mercenaries on security and keeping the real costs off the books makes it look like your private war, not a public one. Unfortunately, now that the money is spent, the US has very little room to do what it needs to do right now.

Noah Buddey   March 15th, 2009 11:15 am ET

Wait a second – the government didn't have financial reserves in place in case there's a natural disaster (Katrina)? There's not any contingency plans for unforeseen acts of nature? You'd think something would be place considering the damages that Southern Florida suffers each year during hurricane season. … Add to that – wartime mode following 911? There was money spent on pursuing Bin Laden? Why does it seem that all the focus was on removing Saddam from power instead of bringing the individual responsible for 911 to justice. I wish I saw the full interview because what's posted above seems pretty ridiculous coming from the most recent former vice-president.

Johnna   March 15th, 2009 11:15 am ET

doesn't anyone see the irony that we attacked Iraq for ignoring UN sanctions for nuclear inspections but by attacking Iran we ignored UN sanctions?

Dorothy in NC   March 15th, 2009 11:15 am ET

You and Bush used 9/11 to advance your own war adgenda at the cost of not only the lives of thousands of our brave soldiers but also to put this country into such a national debt that we will never be able to climb out. You two are responsible for everything that has happened. I would like to know how much money Cheney made thru Haliburton from the time he took over the VP until he left.
Would someone please look into this?

As for Hurricane Katrina, I don't know how he can even mention that. That was the sorriest example of the leadershp of the Bush administration just as using 9/11 to promote their own hatred, warmongering and spending.

You truly amaze me as much out of office as you did in office.

Can't someone figure out how to start a war crime trial for this maniac?

David Mackintosh   March 15th, 2009 11:14 am ET

He still speaks as if 9/11 caused the war in Iraq. How people can continue to believe falsehoods long since discredited always amazes me.

Flo   March 15th, 2009 11:14 am ET

9/11 forced the country into war time and spending…………………hmmm it is just me or is Cheney forget to mention how did we even get into this war. Bush administration could of prevented this attack if they had acted to prevent this from happening. And Cheney thinks Obama is bad for this country……………Please Mr. Cheney remove your blinders

Why didn't John King asked Cheney about the August 6, 2001 intelligence briefing that warned Bush on Bin Laden intent to attack on American soil. Maybe if they took this briefing seriously they wouldn't have to sell Americans on WMD's in Iraq to wage a war we shouldn't have been fought in the first place. I tell you, the American should be interviewing these politicians not journalists.

Mike from Phoenix   March 15th, 2009 11:14 am ET

Whether intentional or not. Given conspiracy theories or not. The Bush/ Cheney administration along with the complicit Republicans continued the work of the terrorists plan to drive our country, and Western society into chaos and failure. We are on that brink. Bush et al promoted their own form of terrorism by instilling fear into our society and taking away parts of our civil liberties.
I totally disagree with Cheney that we are more at risk of another attack. I believe the supposed "terrorists" out there are more mindful of the fact that you attack us now and the response will be swift, hard, and specifically directed attackers, whether individual our regional.
Bush/Cheney and company will go to there graves forever trying to justify their satanic attempt to justify what will go down in history as a very dark period in our country's political/economic legacy.

Amy   March 15th, 2009 11:12 am ET

Spin can't change the truth.

History will judge the Bush/Cheney administration as a miserable failure.

Andy in Ann Arbor   March 15th, 2009 11:12 am ET

Technically, he is not a complete liar…

Truths:
1. – "there's something that's more important than the specific numbers you're talking about, and that had to be priority for our administration" – clearly the NeoCons priority was war, and that is what they focused on. So, here we see Cheney telling the truth.

2. – "Stuff happens. And [a] administration has to be able to respond to that" – this, technically is true.

Lies:
1 – "we had not originally planned to spend or weren’t originally part of the budget" – guarantee you that in-depth numbers were provided on war-mobilization

2 – "We did" (in response to "Stuff happening") – Um…no, you didn't. Unless you consider a "response" the destruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, meddling in their affairs like U.S. policy has done over and over in the M.E. since the 50s.

WIll 18E   March 15th, 2009 11:11 am ET

So it's war spending, that is now responsible for the poor economic conditions we face today.
This must be "fuzzy math" for the total spending on the "wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan over the Bush years is 1 trillion dollars. Yet they have added over 5.6 trillion dollars to the national debt since taking office.

Bob Stewart   March 15th, 2009 11:10 am ET

Mr Cheney should do us all a favor and humble himself and accept defeat. His administration had failed polices, and that's why the American people spoke LOUDLY on election day.

yeah baby   March 15th, 2009 11:10 am ET

Tell 'em Cheney. Hope to see you out there speaking up on all of these issues and setting the record straight. Don't let the Trotskyists rewrite history and deceive the American public.

The Dems set up the conditions for the mortgage crisis then they failed to head frequent warnings of catastrope.

The Dems just tripled the national dept in one day after complaining for years about the relatively low levels of debt under Bush.

It took longer than planned….and it was more difficult than hoped….but we won in Iraq. Despite every road block the Dems and their media lapdogs set up.

You're a true patriot. Keep up the good fight.

jennifer   March 15th, 2009 11:10 am ET

Bush spent too much and Obama is spenting three times more too much. China and other countries think we are crazy to go farther and farther in debt with the current economy. I lost trust in Obama when he signed the spending, pork bill. If he had just cut 10% out to show Americans he tried to keep his promise, I would feel calmer.

Joe Unger, San Francisco   March 15th, 2009 11:09 am ET

So it would seem Cheney will continue to emphatically deny that the Bush administration has any blame for what happenned during their four years in charge. The vast majority of people in this country do put the blame on them for things here and there so what is Cheney trying to pull? Is he one of those guys who can never admit when he's wrong? One of those guys who has never said sorry for anything, every? He tries to force his opinion on others and gets angry when he's rebuffed. It must be so tough on him to know that so many people have judged his administration as incompetent. Perhaps what he has left is the small satisfaction of telling his detractors they are all wrong.

PULEEEZZZ!! lets tell some truth   March 15th, 2009 11:08 am ET

Wiat a sec here.. Over 4,000 American soldiers dead, not tomention all the other people dead from YOUR war on Iraq.. Now, lets see, 3,000 Americans died 9/11… now THAT makes sence only to a Republican.. who by the way should be in jail.. Great thinking Mr EX vp! :( Oh, yeah, and your company HELLiburton didnt make any dough on this..

GR   March 15th, 2009 11:07 am ET

Until Dick Cheney is speaking under oath, I don't want
to hear another word he says.
Keep him off CNN, keep him out of the newspapers,
don't cover his paid speaking engagements.
Tell him to go away and stay away.
Go hunting with friends and leave the rest
of the country alone.

Lush Limprick and Osama bin Laden share the same vision for America - FAILURE!   March 15th, 2009 11:07 am ET

Just another repub trying to justify the cost and deaths of 4,000 Americans for his war of choice waged over control of an ulimited supply of oil natural resources for big oil and to sqare the score for daddy not finishing the job when he had a chance..

Maybe if Cheney, and Rice had not ignored the intelligence the Clinton administration left for the and the moron in chief had not been in Crawford cutting brush he might have paid closer attention to the daily brief put on his desk on August 13th, stating "Osama bin Laden determined to attach U.S." this country would not be in the fix it is today.

And using Cheney's logic on 9/11 as a reason for no spending limits then tell the repubs to STFU and work with President Obama now, since this is the financial equivalent 9/11 of our lifetime!

Mark   March 15th, 2009 11:06 am ET

Who, which party, started the sub-prime fiasco in the first place?

ib   March 15th, 2009 11:06 am ET

We went into war based on reports that Clinton and England had; not LIES as all the liberals and Obama worshipers say. I'm getting sick of all the republican bashing by these people. They want everyone to fall in line and kiss Obama's butt while they treat conservatives and republicans like scum of the earth. Wake up; Obama is making decisions that is going to put this country in danger and that is not using scare tackets it is facts and you know it you just will not admit it.

Rick   March 15th, 2009 11:05 am ET

Wow! Hard to believe he's still sticking by this clueless approach. Blame everything on 9/11 and use it to justify a blatant disregard of the constitution. When will this man be indicted?

Frank   March 15th, 2009 11:05 am ET

Consensus – this man is evil. Drunk on money and power.

Caral from SoCal   March 15th, 2009 11:04 am ET

What so many people do not understand is that Bush, Cheney, and many with knowledge of the Iraq war from the inside BELIEVE that this is true. The WMD that the liberals claim we never found in Iraq? The terrorists they export. Only time will tell, but the Russian MIGS buried in the sand and the bones buried around Iraq of the disappeared give us a good indication of the path Iraq was on. I would much rather fight terrorism in the Middle East than over here, and there are plenty of Iraqis who are mighty glad we did. Someone needs to go up to Northern Iraq, where growth and economic rebirth have taken place as peace has gripped the region, and just ask, "Are you glad the Americans came?"

I will be quite surprised – and pleasantly – if we don't have a repeat episode of terrorism on our soil under President Obama. My friends who were missionaries in Iraq for five years during Pres. Bush have left to go home. Makes sense to me.

David in Minneapolis   March 15th, 2009 11:03 am ET

Is there any reason we care what DC says or thinks? After 8 years of dysfunction, does he or his ilk have any relevancy whatsoever, other than to serve as a model for how NOT to do things?

RETIRE DICK!

arthur meier   March 15th, 2009 11:03 am ET

They knew the 9/11 attacks were coming! In fact they helped set it up. The scum sucking bible thumping republican BS artist.

Rachel   March 15th, 2009 11:01 am ET

Still fear-mongering, Mr. Cheney? Someone needs to remind you that you're out of a job.

Craig in Kansas   March 15th, 2009 11:01 am ET

His guy is out of his mind. Come back to reality. Cheney and W created this mess and then left it for Obama to try to clean up. I does not believe that he had to follow the law. He did not believe that he was accountable to the American people. Shame on you Mr. Cheney.

Clark   March 15th, 2009 11:00 am ET

It is astonishing that Cheney really is among the last folks that continues to defend the Bush administration against all of the incompetence and outright evil they perpetrated. He left office with a 15% approval rating, which means even his own party had abandonned him. I cannot figure out for the life of me why anyone would be interested in interviewing this man or hearing what he has to say. The republicans were in control of congress for the first 6 Bush/Cheney years…I guess they were too busy deregulating to stop the economic crisis (which they had plenty of votes to accomplish). The next interview I would like hear from Cheney if from his prison cell in The Hague.

Lori   March 15th, 2009 11:00 am ET

If that is the Republican rationale than that means the economic crisis should justify the stimulus bill spending. Republicans: What a bunch of hypocrites!

Ed   March 15th, 2009 11:00 am ET

This man is truly evil and woefuly ignorant of the mess that he and his
President dragged our nation in too. His statements and access to the media will serve only to obstruct the current administrations effort to re-establish America as a friend of all nations.

Julian   March 15th, 2009 10:59 am ET

We invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9 11. We turned a budget surplus into a 11 trillion dollar debt, we lost support of our allies, the Bush administration was the worst ever. They ruined this country and are a disgrace.

william d. hammond   March 15th, 2009 10:59 am ET

the whole economic problem would have never happened if bush and cheney would have been impeached eight years ago and sent to prison.

Katie   March 15th, 2009 10:59 am ET

We owe Bush and Cheney a big debt of gratitude. History will say quite another thing than the liberals who dominate the media. Obama will weaken our capitalistic system with his agenda of socializing us. That was the "change" he was talking about.The markets know this and he has put all of his other agenda ahead of the financial problems. Geitner is a disaster. Lets get some grown up people to solve these problems. We have always come out of the other downturns with out turning into France who has had zero growth, high taxes and 9% unemployment for years. We can fix our weak areas without changing who we are. Obama bears watching. The media never took the time to vet him properly. They were so swept away by his cool looks and speaking skills. Neither of these things are qualifications to run a nation. How about some experience?

M. Bryan   March 15th, 2009 10:58 am ET

"Stuff happens". You are so right, Mr. Cheney. The stuff that happened was that Pres. Bush got very bad advice from just about
everyone around him, was insulated from the public, and just happened to have a self-picked oil company exec as vice-president.
A sure-fire remedy for disaster. You can't change history with a few
words. There are many more reasons for the financial crash other
than Fannie Mae and Freddie mac. The administrations failure of
proper oversight of regulatory bodies is chief among them. The mantra of "keeping us safe", while allowing the destruction of our own infrastructure, financial future, and the "American Dream" somehow doesn't have much meaning any more.

Time after time   March 15th, 2009 10:58 am ET

If war was an excuse, then what about WWII? Did that create an economic crisis unlike anything we've seen since the Great Depression? And if the Democrats were to blame when the Republicans were in the driver seat, should we blame the Republicans for the so-called ills of the 1970s when Carter was in power? This guy has an excuse for everything, but ultimately sounds more and more like he doesn't know what he's talking about.

John   March 15th, 2009 10:58 am ET

Are you seriously STILL beating that drum Mr. Cheney? It is a disgrace to the memories of the victims of 9-11 that you and the previous administration have used it as an excuse for your failures, for misleading the American people and for dismissing the Constitution. That you continue to use it to justify a horribly failed administration is unconscionable.

Bill_ MA   March 15th, 2009 10:56 am ET

The sad part is that right wingers would vote for them again. The republican party is sickening.

just today   March 15th, 2009 10:56 am ET

you went into a war based on LIES, you have almost destroyed America, iraq is much worse off than they were, America has lost her respect all over the world thanks to bush and cheney administration, you tortured people when you knew it went aganist what America stands for, you are a total disgrace to America and to the entire world.

Jim Andrews   March 15th, 2009 10:56 am ET

Dick Cheney is still lying. He has been lying for eight years and hasn't changed. He and Bush should be charged with treason and war crimes.

John   March 15th, 2009 10:55 am ET

Spending limits…I have a used pace maker for Cheney, since he spoke about economic health. Like he knew what was talking about.

Poor Bloke   March 15th, 2009 10:54 am ET

I can't believe they're still using the same scare tactics. They will never let it go. It's sad to see men self-destruct in front of the entire nation.

Bill   March 15th, 2009 10:54 am ET

To Cheney, the GOP, and their true believers, Failure is the new success.

Mia and Mike   March 15th, 2009 10:53 am ET

I just love Cheney- every time he opens his mouth to make a statement, he shows just how utterly arrogant, selfish and wrong the Bush/Cheney administration was! Gotta give him credit though because he has stayed true to defending their idiocracy thus allowing voters and the world more insight into their unlawful thinking and actions.

KJ   March 15th, 2009 10:53 am ET

wrong again mr. war criminal

Terry - California   March 15th, 2009 10:53 am ET

Talk about "Brainwashed" ! Dick Cheney believes the stuff he spews. The GOP is in freefall, and we are listening to one of the GOP Leaders who pulled the Republican Party into the toilet. Please Dick, just flush!

Paige   March 15th, 2009 10:52 am ET

It costs $438,000 for each J-Dam bomb we have dropped on Iraq. The US has dropped more than 87,000 of those. Add it up. Who put the country at financial risk, Mr. Cheney? It was you and the Bush administration.

Tony L. - Atlanta   March 15th, 2009 10:52 am ET

If the administration had to spend all that money, why hide it? Where was the transparency in this administration that the Obama administration is now heralding? Cheney has no credibility anymore as far as I'm concerned.

omg   March 15th, 2009 10:52 am ET

NO, it should not have been excuse to spend more money. Idiot repukes, scumbags already had a HUGE armed forces and enough stockpile PRIOR to the biggest earmark in the history of the world (aka the INVASION of Iraq and Afghanistan!) courtesy of the repuklicant scum!

CVJ   March 15th, 2009 10:52 am ET

3,000 Americans killed on 9/11 we invade Iraq, OBL still puts out more videos from a cave and now AQ controls Pakistan. Why should we listen to this guy again?

KJ   March 15th, 2009 10:51 am ET

of course not, it was all obama's fault. what's that? he wasn't in office?no matter, still his fault.

Justin from New Haven, CT   March 15th, 2009 10:50 am ET

Yeah and we killed more civilian in Iraq than 9/11. Good one, Cheney.

Nice Try   March 15th, 2009 10:50 am ET

If the only "additional spending" that the Bush/Cheney administration had spent was money to go after Bin Laden and others with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan – then we might not be having this problem.

But, alas – that was not the case. They spent like drunken sailors on everything.. they took us into a war with a country that was NOT responsible in any way for the 09/11 attacks, and they allowed more pork to go into every bill they signed then ever before.

Good Riddence!

Georgia Gal   March 15th, 2009 10:48 am ET

Hey Dick,

You and your bud, "W" were the Vice President and President at this time, so you know what that means?? You are the ones that are ultimately responsible for everything that happens in this country (and yes, Obama and Biden will be the ones ultimately responsible for everything that happens while they are President and Vice President), so stop trying to shift the blame to someone else. If you were a real, honest to goodness decent man then you and W would stand up and take the blame for yourself instead of trying to shift it. Does the saying "the buck stops here" mean anything to you??

Tony in Maine   March 15th, 2009 10:48 am ET

Stuff happens – the excuse of the truly evil.

The only regret he has is that Halliburton and its spinoff KBR haven't taken complete control of the oil field. Blackwater would have provided security and Goldfinger would have become incredibly wealthy – and powerful had he sent Dubya on patrol in Sadr City.

Tony in Maine   March 15th, 2009 10:47 am ET

Stuff happens – the excuse of the truly evil.

The only regret he has is that Halliburton and its spinoff KBR haven't taken complete control of the oil field. Blackwater would have provided security and Goldfinger would have become incredibly wealthy – and powerful had he sent Dubya on patrol in Sadr City.

Doug in New Mexico   March 15th, 2009 10:46 am ET

Bush and Cheney have never never done anything wrong, have made no mistakes. Why they were perfect. What sorry, sorry men!

mississippi librarian   March 15th, 2009 10:46 am ET

This fool is crazy. I really think he has some type of mental problem! Obama is trying to straighten out a mess that he and bush created.

Brandon   March 15th, 2009 10:46 am ET

Hopefully the man will be in jail after his impeachment.

obama08   March 15th, 2009 10:45 am ET

…So, by the same token, does the economic crisis call for an exception to spending limits? Hmmm…

Willy Brown   March 15th, 2009 10:29 am ET

Right again Mr. Vice President.

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