Washington (CNN) - The ballroom at the Conservative Political Action Conference was divided Thursday between boos and cheers as two Republican giants faced the crowd.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a surprise guest, presented former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with the "Defender of the Constitution Award" at the annual conference of conservatives which this year has gained significance for being a cattle-call for potential GOP presidential candidates.
Just the mention of Rumsfeld's name drew boos from the crowd, and when Cheney took the stage two attendees screamed at him. One yelled "Where Bin Laden at?" and the other said "Show us the shackles Dick." Both comments were met with chants from the crowd of "U-S-A."
Both men served in the administration of former President George W. Bush and are considered key architects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Cheney addressed the ruckus when he was eventually able to speak.
"Alright, sit down and shut up," Cheney told the crowd, which broke out in laughs. "It's the usual spirited exercise."
- CNN's Kevin Liptak contributed to this report
Both men deserved worse than boos and comments. A pair of handcuffs would have suited them better
I guess any crowd that could boo these two guys can't be ALL bad. But I have to wonder why when the subject of not finding Bin Laden the torture came up it was met with shouts of USA?? Is this what we've really become?
Why is anyone surprised at the appearance of two old fools at the republican circle jerk?
My God these two are an ugly reminder of 2000-2008. Never again, never again.
I never thought two men could demolish our national image as much at these two did.
They both should be facing a firing squad for war crimes, mass murder, and theft by deception........A few "jeers" is less than pocket lint!
"Four legs good ! Two legs bad!"
Boy what a circle jerk that meeting is. The only award Dick and Rummie should be getting is parole.