Bidens, Cheneys meet in Washington
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/13/art.cheney.ap.jpg caption=" The Cheneys and Bidens met Thursday."]WASHINGTON (CNN) – Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrived at their future home at Washington's Naval Observatory Thursday afternoon and were greeted as they exited their black SUV by its current residents, Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne.
The couples shook hands as Mrs. Cheney arranged the photo-op on the front porch, telling Mrs. Biden, “Now Jill, I was told that you were to be in the middle.”
As the foursome headed inside for what was billed as a private meeting followed by a tour of the mansion, a reporter asked Biden if he had been there before.
“I’ve been on the ground floor a couple times,” Biden responded.
Afterwards, a spokeswoman for the vice president wrote in a statement that the meeting lasted 50 minutes and that "it was a good visit."
"Vice President Cheney and his wife Lynne were pleased to welcome Vice President-elect Biden and his wife Jill to the Naval Observatory this afternoon," said spokeswoman Megan Mitchell. "It was a good visit. The Cheneys enjoyed giving the Bidens a tour of the residence and wished them well as they make it their home in January."
A spokesperson for Biden also said the visit went well.
"The Vice President-elect and Dr. Jill Biden met with Vice President Cheney and his wife Lynne at the Naval Observatory this evening. The Bidens thank the Cheneys for welcoming them into their home and for their gracious hospitality," said spokesperson for the Vice President-elect Elizabeth Alexander.
Chances are most of Biden's visits to the residence did not come over the past eight years. The future vice president has been a regular and fervent critic of Cheney, calling him “the most dangerous vice president probably in American history” at the vice presidential debate in early October.
In that same debate, Biden accused Cheney of not understanding that constitution says the job of VP falls under the Executive Branch. In his speech at the Democratic convention, he also joked about Cheney’s understanding of the document.
“For every American who is trying to do the right thing, for all those people in government who are honoring the pledge to uphold the law and honor the Constitution,” Biden said. “No longer will you hear the eight most-dreaded words in the English language, ‘The vice president’s office is on the phone.’”
The Delaware senator also couldn’t resist poking fun at the vice president when campaigning at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington in mid-October.
“I want to thank you for making this stadium today change, temporarily changing the name from Cheney Stadium to Obama-Biden Stadium for the day,” said Biden. “Besides, if it was Cheney Stadium, we’d be at an undisclosed location. You’d never have been able to find us.”
Biden used Cheney’s November 1 speech in support of John McCain and Sarah Palin to further the Democratic ticket’s case that their Republican opponents would continue the current administration’s failed policies, saying, “It’s not surprising. Dick Cheney has been wrong on everything for the last eight years, he’s on a roll.”
Cheney took on a far more powerful role as vice president than his predecessors had. Biden has said that he hopes to be a ‘confidante’ to president-elect Barack Obama, in the room for the important decisions and offering his judgment.
As for his new home: Biden has said he will still regularly go home to Delaware, though his grandchildren who live nearby in Washington are excited about the move because the new house has a pool.
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Look at how warm and friendly and... NORMAL Joe and Jill Biden look compared with the stiff, awkward, cold Cheneys. Bodes well for the future.
If Biden shook hands with Cheney, he should count his fingers afterward.
Joe Biden didn't lie ... Cheney IS the most dangerous person in American Politics!
Boo!!!, Scary, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Hope he was wearing a crucifix. Get out of there by midnight.
A photo up of an angry man versus a man with most amazing and charming smiles that says everything wil be fine.
Joe Biden the man with the helpful smile.
Be careful Joe. Don't go into the basement!!
This should prove just how Duped we really are by politicians. Biden said some true but definitely cutting remarks about Cheney and there they all stand side by side. We are such suckers at times.
Great; now both the President-Elect and Vice President -Elect have visited their future homes!!
Soon Dick will be free for that 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' sequel!! He's got the look down perfectly!!
Wonder if the Halliburton email has gone out yet??
The poor Bidens are moving into a haunted house! The place is permeated with the essence of Dick!
Well Cheny was a hardliner that is why he is voted out. It is so unfortunat,Obama/Biden have to undo most of the harm (if they could)done by the Bush/Cheny adminisration. They have a tough job !!!
i love our new vice president. i can understand why the republicans are upset with palin, they are having to follow her around like a bunch of little puppies, why don't they stand up and say enough is enough, they are all 100 times more qualified than palin is, stand up for yourselves, thats what america wants. truth and honesty. do it for your party do it for america.
I found it a bit odd that this visit was arranged for a time of day (evening/night) that there would no natural light beaming through windows, etc, no possibility of the Biden's getting any vistas out the many windows of the house. Also, it seems odd that the Bidens were invited at a time that most folks would be having a meal, yet there is not mention of a mutual taking of a meal.
Its all very odd and seems very, very unhospitable. One can't blame the Cheneys of course for the many reasons mentioned in the article, however, it speaks volumes of the "help" the new administration might expect from Cheney...effectively NONE.
Go away Dick and shoot something other than your friends...
Did Joe really get a tour of the bunker?
PS – don't accept a hunting invitation from Darth.
Wow – Cheney set a wonderful example, of how a US Vice President SHOULD NOT conduct oneself.
Thank you, Neo-Cons, for forcing McCain to pick Palin – maybe you guys are closet Obama supporters after all.
After we experience four years of Biden running his mouth we will be longing again for the days of a Vice President who stays out of sight and keeps his mouth shut. At least Cheney is smart enough to think BEFORE he opens his mouth.
what is wrong with you people! I fear that our nation is further divided than it has ever been and I have never seen so much hatred. We are all Americans, lets support our current Adminstration (President Bush) and our future one as well (President Elect Obama).
Talk about a 180 degree shift when it comes to the failing policies in Iraq and social issues here at home. The Bidens seem like such a pleasant couple. I hope the Cheneys don't leave their daughter Mary in the closet when they move......lol!
Another anonymous source, what a coward. The fact CNN relies on anonymous sources shows their credibility. Why not report on facts instead of opinions by a jealous male governor.
We will miss Cheney. We suih him well. These democrats are power-mongers. Biden is a joke. Barack is a bigger joke.
We will miss Cheney. We wish him well. These democrats are power-mongers. Biden is a joke. Barack is a bigger joke.
Joe and Jill look fantastic. Watch your back Joe and Jill, don't eat or drink anything you didn't bring with you.
Will Joe's mom be moving in with them like the Obama's mom?
The first families are truly a mirror image of everyday real families. The Bushes and Cheney's were surreal.
Good old boy Biden wanted to take one for the team and punch him a good one right in the chops. " I dare you take advantage of our hard working Americans like you did !!! WANT SO MORE ? !!!!
CHENEY/PALIN 2012!
hahahaahhahahahahahahhaha
I'm so happy for the Bidens. I'm glad everything went well, and I wish them all the best in their new home. Great location in D.C. by the way.
Oh, and I hope they bring Momma Biden along with them. What a wonderful opportunity for her to live in D.C. and be close to her family and the Washington Obama excitement.