Cheney: I Pick Rush Over Colin Powell
On the heels of an interview with a North Dakota radio station this week in which he advised it would be a mistake for the Republican Party to seek broader appeal by moderating its stance on issues, former vice president Dick Cheney today said there is room in the GOP for moderates.
"I think partly it's a semantic problem," he told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer on Face The Nation. "I don't think the party ought to move dramatically to the left, for example, in order to try to redefine its base.
"We are what we are. We're Republicans. We have certain things we believe in. And maintaining our loyalty and commitment to those principles is vital to our success."
When asked by Schieffer how the party could broaden its appeal, Cheney said there have been efforts made.
"Jeb Bush, I know, has been working on it," he said, "Eric Cantor, Mitt Romney, trying to find ways to appeal to a broader range of people. I don't have any problem with that. I think that's a good thing to do. But the suggestion our Democratic friends always make is somehow, you know, if you Republicans were just more like Democrats, you'd win elections. Well, I don't buy that. I think we win elections when we have good solid conservative principles to run upon and base our policies on those principles."
Schieffer brought up recent banter about the Republican Party's future: "Rush Limbaugh said the other day that the party would probably be better off if Colin Powell left and just became a Democrat. Colin Powell said Republicans would be better off if they didn't have Rush Limbaugh out speaking for them. Where do you come down [on this]?"
"Well, if I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh, I think," Cheney replied. "I think my take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican."
"So you think that he's not a Republican?"
"I just noted he endorsed the Democratic candidate for president this time, Barack Obama," Cheney said. "I assumed that that is some indication of his loyalty and his interest."
"And you said you would take Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell."
"I would, politically."
More from Face The Nation (5.10.09):
Cheney: "We Weren't In Torture Business"
Schieffer To David Souter: Don't Let The Court House Door Hit You
Read The Complete Transcript (pdf)
To watch Dick Cheney discuss the current state of the war in Pakistan and the future of the Republican Party click on the video player below.
"I think partly it's a semantic problem," he told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer on Face The Nation. "I don't think the party ought to move dramatically to the left, for example, in order to try to redefine its base.
"We are what we are. We're Republicans. We have certain things we believe in. And maintaining our loyalty and commitment to those principles is vital to our success."
When asked by Schieffer how the party could broaden its appeal, Cheney said there have been efforts made.
"Jeb Bush, I know, has been working on it," he said, "Eric Cantor, Mitt Romney, trying to find ways to appeal to a broader range of people. I don't have any problem with that. I think that's a good thing to do. But the suggestion our Democratic friends always make is somehow, you know, if you Republicans were just more like Democrats, you'd win elections. Well, I don't buy that. I think we win elections when we have good solid conservative principles to run upon and base our policies on those principles."
Schieffer brought up recent banter about the Republican Party's future: "Rush Limbaugh said the other day that the party would probably be better off if Colin Powell left and just became a Democrat. Colin Powell said Republicans would be better off if they didn't have Rush Limbaugh out speaking for them. Where do you come down [on this]?"
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
"So you think that he's not a Republican?"
"I just noted he endorsed the Democratic candidate for president this time, Barack Obama," Cheney said. "I assumed that that is some indication of his loyalty and his interest."
"And you said you would take Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell."
"I would, politically."
More from Face The Nation (5.10.09):
To watch Dick Cheney discuss the current state of the war in Pakistan and the future of the Republican Party click on the video player below.
The secrets of tennis legend 
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See all 792 CommentsHistorically, this country has had a bad reputation for living up to the words found in our Constitution. There was a time when only white men were given the respect of being treated like humans under this system. So-called minorities, women, the disabled and other disenfranchised groups (the poor) of people were left to fight for the scraps of dignity left behind by the group in power - white men. Now that our President doesn't come from the "dominant" group, his opponents want to call his credibility into question and cause a great deal of unnecessary chaos. I am saying all of this to say that it is just another ploy by the rich to keep those of us that are not rich busy with trivial drama, so that we do not see the rich getting richer while we continue to get poorer. "Powerful people do not apologize to powerless people for the things they do to remain in power."
I'd like to see some of you that are on here talking about trivial issues, offer solutions that will help the nation - not pull us farther apart. Its easy to accentuate the negative, but do any of you have the ability to identify, recognize and implement positive strategies that will help all Americans?
P.S. Yes, this country was founded by Christians, but not everyone is Christian. Those same founding fathers thought it important enough to make the point that everyone doesn't have to believe in what they believe, hence the Puritans leaving Europe to practice their beliefs how they saw fit - which led to the founding of this country. Christians, at some point you have to respect the rights of others to believe in whatever they see fit for themselves.
Posted by LiquidWrench at 7:39 AM : May 12, 2009
*** did Bush do? Spend, spend, spend, spend, tax cuts for rich, spend, spend, spend, more tax cuts for rich and big corporations, spend. And what did we get? This awful recession. Who pays? The poor, the sick, the elderly. But I am sure LiquidWrench is doing just fine, so all is well in the world. Since the world does revolve around him and all!
Posted by rmonroe401 at 12:07 PM : May 12, 2009
No you see I lost my job as a result of this stinking recession too and its not all about me. Its not all about the no morals having liberals either as you obviously think. The fact is that I never stated that Bush did everything right. You just wait though, the time is going to come real soon when you liberals will have to quit blaming all of the problems on someone else and take responsibility for the mistakes that you make. I can stand up and say that I am wrong but I haven't found a liberal yet that can or is willing to admit that.
No the fact of the matter is that if somebody doesn't think the same way as a moral-less liberal then they will just pass laws to make them do so. One day you will stand up and look around and see the socialist state that your god Obama has built and wonder where your freedoms went.
So I really don't care if you think I am wrong or not the fact is I am not, simple as that. I still believe in the principles and beliefs that our country was founded on. Apparently I am in the minority now.
Posted by LiquidWrench at 7:39 AM : May 12, 2009
*** did Bush do? Spend, spend, spend, spend, tax cuts for rich, spend, spend, spend, more tax cuts for rich and big corporations, spend. And what did we get? This awful recession. Who pays? The poor, the sick, the elderly. But I am sure LiquidWrench is doing just fine, so all is well in the world. Since the world does revolve around him and all!
Posted by LiquidWrench at 7:39 AM : May 12, 2009
Liberals are anti-Constitution? Obama is a babykiller? Man, you are so delusional that any argument would be wasted on you.
Most of you, if queried, could not tell anyone why you voted for Obama other than some superficial notion that " well, he's better than what we had" or, "he's bringing change to the rest of us"
Really? What change would that be? Control of the auto industry? nationalisation of the banking system? Nationalized healthcare? A mandatory youth service corps? A complete rejection of Judeo Christian values that this country was founded upon? Spending money from debt to get us out of debt? (He's so far quadrupled the deficit)
You people need to wake up and realize that your freedoms are rapidly eroding bit by bit and most of you seemingly have smiles on your faces about.
His plans and ideas for this country are frightening at best. European socialism is the economic model he wants to implement. Tell me this? Would you rather work for a wealthy person or a poor person? Hint: Wealthy people have money and in turn create jobs. Government is not a job creator nor is it an economic stimulator.
Lowering taxes has ALWAYS proven to be the premiere way to stimulate an economy in recession. Lower the burden on everyone, and you create an economic boon. This is just plain common sense, not GOP or Democrat. Lowering the corporate tax rate (which Reagan did after an atrocious Carter presidency) provided the most wealth in this country within the last 25 years. Here it is simply: When you are taxed less, and companies are taxed less, you get more money and companies can grow thus creating jobs. All Rush Limbaugh, Hannity and most other conservatives want is less government and more individual prosperity. You can't have individual prosperity when the government pays out the enormous sums of money aka, stimulus monies. Why? This money comes with strings and regulations and then it is government dictating, and not free enterprise. I for one want to call my own shots and not have the Government tell me what I can't do, can and can't make.
America needs to apologize for nothing. I see a lot of people trying to get in this country not out. Is that a coincidence or the fact that this country is the greatest land of opportunity and freedom in the world. Obama apolgizes to oppressive dictators, murderers and terrorists and bows to Arab kings. Makes me feel safe and secure.
Leave the sense of entitlement behind, and make something of yourself instead of waiting for the government to do it for you.
toward Real Americans
angry liberals - America haters at their pinnacle
Posted by rccpepper at 2:58 PM : May 11, 2009
Who are these "Real Americans"? Cheney? Limbaugh? Hannity? Bush? I'd say that they're the ones who want to sabotage the Constitution. The GOP started with the harsh personal attacks. It's about time that liberals fight back. Otherwise, the GOP will roll right over you. I hate what Bush and Cheney did to our country, and it's pretty hard not to feel animosity toward them for all the damage they've caused. Timidity is not the right response when you're dealing with people like Cheney.
toward Real Americans
angry liberals - America haters at their pinnacle
Posted by Vyneck at 10:09 AM : May 11, 2009
Are you kidding? What did you make? Weapons for Iraq? The country never thrives under GOP rule. And you think Obama is now responsible for job losses but have nothing to say about the two Bush recessions? ? You're living in some kind of fantasy world...
Posted by Vyneck at 10:09 AM : May 11, 2009
Under good conservative values we thrived ???? When was that Reagan and his trickle down economics which was continued and continued under Bush. What will it take for you republicans to see destruction, it was there facing Obama when he took office ,and you blindly blame him. That is a republican for you never, never take responsibility for anything. It is always the other guys fault
Posted by carami6 at 10:50 AM : May 11, 2
Remember when Move On .com said something about Gen.Petraus and the outcry about a serving General how dare they etc etc. but a 4 star Gen who served not only for his country but gave service in the administration of Bush and Darth Vader how dare he . Where is the uproar about Darth Vader's comment he would serve with a druggie who's brain has been cooked and has absolutely done nothing but divide a country with his terrible comments , where is the outrage that a vice President says he would stand with a person like that rather than a general of the United States who was used by that administration .
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