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.
It would be so funny to see Cheney punch Biden right in the face. LOL. He would lay there crying like a little punk.
I think this is a terrible idea. Hillary can not be trusted. I could just imagine her telling him she in not going to a certain country or getting to a country and undermine what he believes in. This idea brings on disgust.
I second Doug R.'s suggestion, and add that the Bidens might want to burn the clothes they wore to the meeting.
"Yeah, wev'e got a pool...and a pond...a pond would be good for you though."
Jill Biden's looking pretty good!
Cheney has a wife?
Why have I never heard about her?
Look at the smirk on Cheney's face. The "We goddum jus' where we wan' um" smirk?
One thing about the Obamas and Bidens, they hug a lot, while the Bushes and Cheyneys are rather stiff and standoffish................check out the body language of this photo and the photo of when the Obamas met with the Bushes.
Florida Joe November 14th, 2008 8:55 am ET
"Joe Biden will bring honor back to this office that Cheney has abused for 8 years…."
The plaigerist lifetime insider politician?
HA HAHA HAHA. that's funny. *wiping tears*
He must not have listed 'busted for plaigerism' on his application.
The Demos gave Paulson a blank check and they do not know how a third of it was spent. How can they trust one person. And you say Repubs are stupid? We are in for a heck of a ride.
Good ridance to both of these Cheneys and hopefully the world will be a more peaceful place for all.
Many of you wh have posted here are just sick...
So you won – Get over it!
WHATEVER !!! Biden is a TOTAL MORON and it just goes to show you that BARRY has no idea what he is doing with the Biden pick for VP.
Joe Biden has no right to even step foot into that home. He doesnt deserve it. After 30 some years he has done nothing to help the nation and all his experience is bad experience..
PALIN / JINDAL 2012 !!!!
It's kind of creepy that you have to live in the house of the person you've been railing against for months or possibly years. I don't know how much fun it would be for either myself or my nemesis for him to give me a tour of his house so that I could replace him as its occupant. Just imagine trying to fall asleep in Cheney's old bedroom every night. ughhhh...
DITTO Jeanette Scott November 14th, 2008 7:51 am ET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VP elect Biden don't walk in front of cheney the snake, liar, cheat, dirty playing war monger.
Can't wait to get those loser out of Washington. So President Obama can clean up what they have destroyed in 8 yrs. He has more to clean up than President Clinton did back in the 90's. The republicans are smear and fear mongers. Well as we can all see it didn't work this time with mcsame and the pitbull in lipstick or bush in a skirt. Americans showed their true intelligence by electing a true American that will go to bat for ALL AMERICANS and not a chosen few.
--–bush and cheney belong to Jail not our W.H---
cordial enconter demonstrates to world the nature of our peaceful transfer of power, notwithstanding comments during heated campaigns. Give credit to both couples. Let U.S. forever set good examples of how democracy elevates.
Why does Cheney always have the grin of a devil?
Cheney: Want to go hunting Joe?
Doofus: Sure!
I hope Cheney didn't steal Biden's conscience, heart and soul for himself.
Dick Cheney should be tried and convicted for war crimes and treason. He has destroyed our country.
Yes, Cheney was quite civil to Biden. That speaks character. Who knows maybe a little will rub off on Joe.
And speaking off Hillary, I have no doubt in my mind that she will accept the position.
I like how everyone gets their own house while on the job. There are not to many jobs that do that. Our fore fathers invented one heck of a system.
Now Google Earth can reflect that the vice-president has a Washington DC residence again– but somewhere in Wyoming a giant blur will appear....
Yes, it was not approprate to neglect addressing Lynn Cheney as "Dr.".
All these "elect" visits to the White House and the Observatory must be awkward. I am sure that all parties just wish it were over after the photo ops.
Really, what can Cheney tell Biden about being VP?