Cheney beats back 2012 efforts
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/29/art.cheneyexit0529.gi.jpg caption="Dick Cheney says he has no interest in running for president."]Washington (CNN) - Dick Cheney's throwing cold water on a new group's effort to try and convince the former vice president to seek the Republican presidential nomination in the next race for the White House.
"Draft Dick Cheney 2012" officially launched on Friday and unveiled a new Web site. The group hopes to follow up the on-line launch with a more formal structure, which they say will include building a database and reaching out through social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
So what does Cheney think of the push to motivate him to seek the White House?
"Why would I want to do that?" he replied. "It's been a hell of a tour. I've loved it. I have no aspirations for further office," Cheney said in an interview with Politico.
Prior to his two terms as vice president, Cheney also served as Secretary of Defense under the first President Bush, a congressman from Wyoming for six terms, and chief of staff to President Gerald Ford.
Cheney told Politico that what he considers the likely midterm congressional losses for the Democrats next year "point in the direction of a very competitive situation in 2012, a very respectable shot for the Republicans of taking back the presidency."
In the interview, which Politico published early Tuesday, Cheney said it's "far too soon to be handicapping" which Republicans may run in 2012, but added that "we've got a lot of folks, I'm sure, who will want to pursue it. I haven't committed and don't expect to anytime soon."
As for a potential White House bid by Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and last year's GOP vice presidential nominee, Cheney said he likes her personally, calling her "charming [and] engaging."
"She's got as much right to be out there as anybody else. Will she be a candidate at some point? How would she do as a candidate? Those are all questions that only time will tell," Cheney said.
- CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
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He has already been president for 8 years, why do it again?
personally speaking, i'd prefer the republicans pony up a realistic candidate. cheney, palin or any other such rediculous suggestion won't improve our government. I think obama is doing just fine, and currently he has my vote, but no one should be allowed to "coast" in 2012.
Perhaps a more moderate choice, like say, David Duke?
Look, I love the guy, he's great, but with all the possible candidates, why pick someone with a lot of serious heart trouble?
I guess the war mongers in the republican party just can't get enough, of the Bush Cheney war monger machine.
Dick Cheney knows he would never be elected, if he was to go and be a complete fool and run in 2010.
They should put him and fellow war monger, Sarah Palin on same ticket, that would be a hoot, for the tea baggers.
Thank you.
Everybody knows that Dick Cheney will dodge any draft.
Seriously – are there actually people out there who WANT this man back in office? SCARY!!! This man should not be anywhere NEAR the White House....honestly, he should be in JAIL!!!
I guess it goes to show you how nutty the right wing fringe of the Repulican party truly is to want this man back in power. The Republican party continues its push toward non-existance. Really a shame, America needs a 2+ party system.
...and who would be his running mate? Charles Manson?
I NEVER thought I would say this but....THANKS DICK CHENEY!!!
Stay where you are, thankfully out of office, and with your finger no longer on 'the war button'! We are still trying to FORGET the last 8 years and your infamy.
He's not going to run. Stop wasting space on the ticker. We need to be talking about Obama and the mess he is making.
Please run Mr. Cheney. We are all searching for the final nail for the Republican Parties coffin and this certainly would be it.
Cheney/Limbaugh 2012
The end of the Republican Party for once and for all.
Cheney has already served his time. The RNC needs to get fresh people. People who are moderate and have good background in economics and international relations.
Oh please, please let the likes of Cheney and Palin run, the comedy value alone is priceless, but it would also guarantee an Obama re-election.
Just another GOP group with money to waste!
god willing he will be put way out to pasture by then. he has created enough damage and really needs to go. i just wish he would also shut his lying mouth.
Como on Dick, get in there! And, choose Ms. Palin as your running mate! The Democrats need you to insure a landslide victory in 2012. But, things have changed, if the one in a million chances you would win, you will not be able to start anymore wars or hoodwind the American people. Too many have got your number now!
Best new I've heard today. Hope he means it. Now, if he would
just go fishin'.
LOL Dick Cheney? He'd make Obama vs Palin look like a nailbiter. He might be the most hated man in the US.
Yeah draft Dick Cheney and maybe he will pick Sarah to me the VP that will assure a second term for Obama.
Cheney running in 2012 would indeed be the apocalypse. We'll be undoing the damage Cheney is responsible for long after 2012.
Such people are fools. The man's a criminal who should be in prison not public office.
I wish he did run so he can unleash his evil wrath on the other GOP candidates like Palin. I don't think the GOP has anyone that wants to run or that will have mass appeal. Palin is just enjoying making money and not having any responsibility. Huckabee just got unveiled as the Governor who commuted the Washington Police Murder. The only guy left is Romney.
Tiresome.. Could the press please retire the former (vice)president please. His criticisms of Obama for taking the time to form a policy is really tiresome. And it's dirty politics.
I sure hope they run Palin/Beck or Palin/Bachmann or Palin/Santorum in 2012. Or Cheney/anyone...
Any of these scenarios will ensure President Obama is easily re-elected..
Cheney's future for the next 50 years should be a 10 foot by 10 foot cell for war crimes against humanity.
Don't we have term limits on the Presidency in this Country? He already served for 8 years as PRESIDENT, so he has had his chance at destroying the country, and he did a really good job of it!!!