January 7, 2009 4:15 PM

Cheney Dismisses "Urban Legend"

By
Mark Knoller
Topics
(CBS)
By CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller

Nearing the end of eight years as Vice President, Dick Cheney bluntly dismissed the frequent suggestion that he was the one calling the shots in the White House.

"It's an urban legend," he said. "It never happened."

In a radio interview with CBS News, Cheney decried reports to the contrary, viewing them as the biggest misimpression about his relationship with President Bush.

"This whole notion that somehow I exceeded my authority here, was usurping his authority, was simply not true."

Cheney said "there was never any question about who was in charge: it was George Bush and that's how we operated."

Asked what the biggest misimpression people have about him, Cheney cracked a smile.

"I'm actually a warm, lovable sort," he said with tongue in cheek – before conceding he'd have to give that question some additional thought.

Listen to portions of the Cheney Interview:

  • Cheney: I'll Miss Being VP
  • Cheney On Career Highlights
  • Cheney On The VP Job

    For more on Knoller's interview with Cheney, including how he feels about being left out of the presidential gathering at the White House today, Click here.

    • Add a Comment See all 84 Comments
    by ausus-2009 January 8, 2009 9:26 PM EST
    yesbama1,

    Just remember Carter was a one-term President. He was so incompetent that even Eugene McCarthy voted against him. Looking at his inexperience and poor choice of cabinet appointments, I see Obama in the same class.
    Reply to this comment
    by antoniof123 January 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST
    I don''t think you wing nuts get it we are not liberals we are really middle of the road and we have rejected you.

    You were warned to moderate but you didn''t listen you though 2006 was a fluke. What is funny you think 2008 is a fluke too.

    I wonder what you will be saying in 2010 that it is a fluke too.

    We are tired of your nonsense find a common ground or we will continue to moderate you.
    Reply to this comment
    by khanghi-2009 January 8, 2009 5:41 PM EST
    sethw76,

    "I know that the Constitution has changed over the years with amendments (including stupid ones like prohibition)and there have been interpretations, but I maintain that the framers of the Constitution did not anticipate Obama''''s brand of socialism.

    To advocate what he has and mention the Constitution in the same breath is showing contempt for the Constitution."


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Posted by ausus at 07:47 PM : Jan 07, 2009

    Yeah! YOU''RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Just look at the way Obama bailed out the crooked bankers and investment firms and basically bought out the auto makers with taxpayer money! Now THAT''S socialism and...uh, wait. That was Bush & company wasn''t it?

    nevermind...
    Reply to this comment
    by walt1944-2009 January 8, 2009 12:34 PM EST
    It has been learned that soon-to-be Ex-VP Darth Vader Cheney is denying that he "called the shots" in the White House, in effect putting the blame for EVERYTHING that has happened at the feet of the Great Emperor Bush II!

    Given that the Great Emperor Bush II had problems remembering things like his own name and putting together 2 sentences that made logical sense, it seems unlikely that the Great Emperor Bush II could be blamed for EVERYTHING!

    History tells us that behind every would-be dictator, there has always been a "dark figure" who made the real decisions and signed all the orders, then when things fell apart, tried to escape without getting caught.

    Cheney fits that bill perfectly!

    SIG HEIL, I WAS TOO STUPID TO EVEN TIE MY SHOES!!!, BUSH!!!

    Reply to this comment
    by niceface19 January 8, 2009 2:46 AM EST
    Cheney to the white house is like al davis to the Raiders
    Reply to this comment
    by lemonskink January 8, 2009 1:23 AM EST
    Cheney is an urban legend much like Sasquatch. He''s an evil doer:

    http://www.ronnierayjenkins.com/topics/deathinappalachia/Empty_Chairs/
    Reply to this comment
    by ausus-2009 January 8, 2009 1:18 AM EST
    QuapawSix,

    What makes you think your IQ is not closer to the moron level than theirs?

    Your university degree is from where?
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug January 8, 2009 1:17 AM EST

    . . and so we are suppose to sleep
    better knowing the reeetard Bush
    is running the country?

    Thanks a lot *** c.

    Isn''t it hunting season somewhere?

    Reply to this comment
    by quapawsix January 8, 2009 1:14 AM EST
    I''ll be glad to stand at the driveway of the White House and wave these two morons a fond farewell. So hurry up and leave.
    Reply to this comment
    by newslink January 8, 2009 1:02 AM EST
    Cheney Is the Urban Legend....For four years, I was begining to think. Who is the V.P? And why was he in Hiding......
    Reply to this comment
    See all 84 Comments
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