Cheney swore off ‘moderate’ campaign promises a month after 2000 election.In his new book, former Rhode Island Republican senator Lincoln Chafee reveals that even before President Bush was sworn into office after the 2000 elections, Cheney had rejected the “moderate course” laid out in their campaign:
The former Senator describes a December 2000 meeting of Republican moderates with Vice President-elect Cheney. Chafee listened as Cheney swore off the moderate course he and Bush had just finished championing in their campaign.
Hearing Cheney say “the campaign was over and that our actions in office would not be dictated by what had to be said in the campaign,” Chafee writes, was “the most demoralizing moment of my seven-year tenure in the Senate.”
In his book, Chafee angrily adds about the incident, “Mr. Cheney tore our best campaign promises to shreds and the moderates acquiesced instead of pelting him with outrage.”
Yeah, and the opposition party acquiesced, too. As did the American People.
Politics
Comments
I am no fan of Cheney's, however, I am a student of political science. You cannot impeach someone for not following through with campaign promises even if the person never intended to do so in the first place. You can vote the bums out of office and vote in someone more likely to hold to the path you want.
Posted by: ESther | April 2, 2008 9:26 AM
Posted by: tincture | April 2, 2008 10:27 AM
No shit, Sherlock.
Posted by: writerdd | April 2, 2008 10:34 AM
There's no law against lying to get elected.
The world does however recognize war crimes. Start the tribunals! Hurry up and subject Cheney to extraordinary rendition to a secret overseas prison and let the torture begin. And, uh, make it last about eight years.
Posted by: Serjis Werking | April 2, 2008 11:39 AM
I agree, there are other reasons. However, the author of the post appears to be using Cheney lying to get into office as justification for impeachment.
Posted by: Esther | April 2, 2008 2:09 PM
The author of the post didn't say anything about impeachment. I don't know a whole lot about Cheney, but if indeed his promises weren't kept, the senate and house can at least say they won't help him pass anything that clearly opposes what they had been promised. The American people could also be a little more outraged and at least speak with their congressman. Impeachment isn't the only option.
Posted by: Will | April 2, 2008 10:50 PM
Not really sure why this is an issue. Um, try reading the title ("Should Be Impeached Immediately").
I agree, impeachment isn't the only option. We should have voted them out about four years ago.
Posted by: Esther | April 3, 2008 10:13 AM
While anyone over the age of 12 should know that campaign promise reneges are not impeachable offenses, and yes, the voters have shown their underwhelming outrage over Cheney's many overreaches, I would like to know why the commentary on this is in the PAST tense, as if anything different is happening today?
Yes, I'm being facetious!
Posted by: trog69 | April 22, 2008 3:54 AM