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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Excellent! About time some GOP'ers got a pair. Cheney would do a MARVELOUS job at undoing the damage caused to our country so far by Obama and co. Hopefully this could happen before the present administration can bancrupt the country
Even the Onion couldnt come up with something this crazy.
Are you kidding me? I mean, really?! Draft a man for president who is already in his 70's, with a 17% approval rating, a horrible temper, a heart condition, bad aim with a rifle and and not to mention a blatant liar; that's a great idea! Who you're at it draft Sarah Palin to join the ticket again. At least Dick, himself, is well aware of the fact he wouldn't stand a chance against Obama!
cheney for president in '12?
go for it! I cant think of a better way of securing a victory for obama in the election!
It is fitting that Dick Cheney should be the face, the leader and the nominee of the Republican Party. If ANTHING or ANYONE represents what the GOP is all about, it's Dick Cheney.
Yeah, Dick Cheney versus Barack Obama.
This will be the quintessential rematch of FEAR versus HOPE. Only this time, the true embodiment of FEAR, ANGER and HATE will be there.
Now this does scare me. We would be ruled by virtual fear if this man ever bacame President. Our Constitution would be torn up and we would be at war with every conceivable country who did not agree with us. Is this the best that the Republicans can come up with?
As a strong supporter of President Obama, I say to the draft Cheney groups.....Make my day!!!!!!!!!!!
"Cheney's response: "Not a chance.""
You better believe it. Smartest thing that man's ever said. Taking all politics out of it, he's not medically fit for the position.
I'll tell you this: if the Republicans do run him, I'll vote for Obama, and I didn't the first time. Wake up, grow up, and bring a qualified candidate to the dance.
And that comment's for both parties.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
He's already been President twice.
you have got to be kidding
Please oh please oh please oh please!
Then we'll actually have an investigation of all his moves in office. Maybe then some things will get answered. I guarantee if the truth were to come out, most actual Americans would be repulsed by what they learned about this guy. He's the most corrupt individual that America has ever seen. He's dangerous to the Constitution. He should be tried and jailed for treason.
Please draft him. Or Palin. Pleeeeease!
Good luck on that one.
Yes they need you Dick Cheney, because you are the only one who has the experience to run for the Republican Party. Once you (NOT) WIN (NOT) the election you can give your self advice. Make sure you do better with your advice to your self, than you did while Bush was in office. Please try not to shoot anyone.
These draft movements are always fake..Cheney is just putting out feelers to see what his chances would be..I myself would love to see a Cheney/Palin ticket against Obama...It would give Obama a great landslide victory for his second term....
This would be fantastic. Not only would it guarantee another Obama administration, but it would give the press the incentive to investigate all the illegal doings during the first two "Cheney Administrations".
Oh yes, please run Mr. Cheney. And maybe Sarah would be willing to take the VP nomination again. Then we could be assured that despite the lies and fear mongering of the conservative Republicans, our excellent President Obama will see a 2nd term.
As a moderate, I hope either Cheney or Palin will be the GOP's nominee in '12. That would assure an Obama landslide win and the ebbing of the far right wing that has kidnapped the GOP from the "real" Republicans.
Just goes to show ya that there are some really really really stupid people in this country!!!
Oh, please let this hypocrite run in 2012!
Can you imagine all the skeletons to come out of his closet during the campaign? Every member in Bush administration during the previous 8-years will look to settle old political scores against Cheney. We may finally get the facts of Cheney's involvement in the Valerie Plame CIA leaks? The GAO may finally get the list of Cheney's so-called "corporate taxpayer-funded national energy" taskforce?
This the best news I've heard since Obama won the Presidency.
God help this world with leaders like this in the United States and wackos who actually follow them. It will take the United States more useless wars, more senseless invasions, a depression rather than a recession, and the complete loss of their power in the world to wake up and realize that people like Dick Cheney got them there.
My only fear is that most super-powers that would replace the US would be even worse tyrants.
what, 8 years of criminal activity wasn't enough for them?
Ha, ha, ha....please stop, no more...this is hilarious...is this a joke? Ha, ha, ha I'm laughing so hard it hurts.
Please, oh PLEASE, run Cheney in 2012! If the electorate has to choose between a (relatively) young, energetic guy who represents hope and the Emperor from Star Wars, the result would be a landslide for Obama that would make 2008 look close. The GOP would be better off running Palin (as long as they made her do some reading and kept her from talking)....
Isn't this country in bad enough shape? Why would anyone want the only known living dinosaur as president? I will leave this country if he or Palin or Obama or Clinton become/remain president. Are all of us that stupid? Look around at the so called transparency, the economy is tanking, jobs are gone, and against the will of the people more troops are being deployed. This war is a slap in the face of humanity, wake up planet earth a handful of bankers are leading you to your demise. Just go online and check out what the laws are now, thanks to the precious "Patriot Act" you are no longer a free citizen of this country. Good Luck and oh yes CNN, you think about reporting what really is happening in the world and quit being the political puppet you are.