New group tries to convince Cheney to run in 2012
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/22/art.cheney1.gi.jpg caption="A new group wants Dick Cheney to challenge President Obama in 2012. "]
Washington (CNN) - A new group wants former Vice President Dick Cheney back in the White House.
The organization - "Draft Dick Cheney 2012" - launched on Friday, and unveiled their new Web site. Their aim: To convince the former vice president to seek the Republican presidential nomination in the next race for the White House. But there may be a major roadblock to the group's pitch - Cheney himself.
"The 2012 race for the Republican nomination for President will be about much more then who will be the party's standard bearer against Barack Obama, the race is about the heart and soul of the GOP," said Christopher Barron, one of the organizers of the Draft Cheney movement. "There is only one person in our party with the experience, political courage and unwavering commitment to the values that made our party strong – and that person is Dick Cheney."
The former vice president has been a frequent outspoken critic of the Obama administration's security policy. He recently suggested that Obama was "dithering" over deciding on adding more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. National polls suggest that the former vice president remains popular among conservatives and Republicans.
Does Cheney want to run for the White House? He was quite blunt earlier this month about whether he had any desire make a bid for the presidency in the next election. At an event in Houston for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who's running for Texas governor, Hutchison was joined by Cheney, who endorsed her bid against fellow Republican incumbent Rick Perry. During the rally, Hutchison yelled out to the crowd "Cheney 2012!" and some one in the audience quickly responded "We need you, Dick!"
Cheney's response: "Not a chance."
Barron says the group hopes to follow up Friday’s Web launch with a more formal structure, which will include building a database and reaching out through social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Barron adds that there is no budget set yet, and that the effort is grassroots at this point. He says the group plans on targeting tea party events and plans on building grassroots chapters in key early presidential caucus and primary states including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
–CNN's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
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The White House? I was thinking more like "prison" for leading us to war and then giving his company "Haliburton" so many no bid contracts in Iraq. I cant believe that is not a crime in some fashion
Hey GOP ,
If Dick Cheney is the "Heart and Soul" of the Republican Party then it is time for both a transplant and an excorsim.
Why would we want someone who is the 'epitome' of the Republican Party to run? I grow weary of stereotypes running for president. Perhaps if we had Nancy Pelosi versus Dick Cheney we could introduce a third party into our system. Hmm....
He won't be able to run...He might be facing some legal difficulties by then....
Oh...when I saw "Draft Cheney," I thought someone wanted to send him over to Afghanistan or Iraq, to fight in one of the wars he helped start. Now *that* would have been karma.
Besides, I hear he's pretty good with a gun.
'scuse me - April Fool's already?!
For once I agree with "Dick" Cheney: not a chance.
This would absolutely guarantee a second term for Obama. Stay away, Dick!
Thanks.
The best part of this story is the name of this group 'DRAFT Dick Cheney 2012', which makes me remind that this 'HAWK' run away (draft-dodged) from his duty and dares to pretend know more about the military strategy than those guys who didn't run and are at the Pentagon....
I was a moderate Republican, but no more, but PLEASE run in 2012 Dick "Shoot you in the back" Cheney..so I can vote against one hell of a nut job...
Put up or shut up...Interesting thought. There is no doubt that he would represent a very different set of views..Maybe he could get Sarah to help him out....
Are these guys nuts ..........If a poll were taken, Chaney would be the least liked person on this PLANET.
But as an Obama supporter t, I would welcome the opportunity to see a landslide. .
I would like to launch a counter movement called prosicute Cheney 2012. Considering his actions while he was in power he commited many unAmerican acts which need to be investigated and for which is is probably liable for prosecution.
Cheney has already "served 8 years as President!"
RUN???? He already ran under BUSH who CHEATED in order to win the presidency in 2000!! Why would the people want him to run again in 2012?? Like he said and he knows the deal.........."NOT A CHANCE [to WIN]" he should have said!
Cheney belongs in jail for war crimes and not in the White House. If Cheney represents the heart and soul of the GOP, the fascist elements in the extreme right wing of the party have taken over the party and the conservative movement.
Darth Cheney for President? Give me a break!!
Anybody that calls Obama's exit-strategy planning for our troops in Afganistan DITHERING when he couldn't come up with his own exit-strategy planning for our troops in the SEVEN YEARS he was in office is a complete and total MORON!!!
Good thing Republicans are used to having a complete and total MORON as the leader of their party...
Just a sad example and proof that Satan still lives and thrives in America, and that there are those out there who see this country as imperfect enough to kill it with another four years of Cheney foolishness. What does it say about a party when you think only one person is qualified? How many republicans are there in politics again? Pretty sad day... On the other hand, please run, Dick. It would surely simplify things for all of us!
You think we have problems now. We would be the enemy of every country in the world if Cheney was elected. Our country's security would be more at risk under a Cheney administration. If the GOP wishes to get the White House back, they need to find someone that is moderate and more centrist than Chaney.
Are they crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's to chicken....sorry. He's not healthy enough...sorry. He's like Lyndon Johnson "Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination ... of the Presidents of the United States."
What are they thinking. Do we want another "Oil Man" in office. Someone that loves war and has helped put this country in the position it is in now? He leaked confidential information to defeat one of his enemies. Sorry I'l take a pass on that one.
Yes, please, make Cheney the Republican candidate for 2012! It's going to be another humiliating defeat for the conservatives!!
To have the man most responsible for the Iraq war and tremendous debt incurred and loss of lives for this war that was fought on lies of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction back in power borders on insanity. Iraq at least kept Iran in line. I can't believe even the Republicans and Rush Limbaugh would want him.
Draft Cheney? Why bother, he'd just dodge it like he did in the 60s.