Cheney Apologizes For Joke On W. Virginia
Lawmakers From Both Parties Rip Vice President For "Inappropriate Attempt At Humor"
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Photo
Vice President Dick Cheney, accompanied by his wife Lynne Cheney, reacts during the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize luncheon, Monday, June 2, 2008, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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A closer look at Vice President Dick Cheney's career and his much-publicized health problems.
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Potshots At Cheney
The vice president's hunting accident is joke fodder for comedians, actors and fellow politicians.
Talking about his family roots and how he's distantly related to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the vice president noted that he had Cheneys on both sides of his family.
"And we don't even live in West Virginia," Cheney quipped.
"You can say those things when you're not running for re-election."
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, quickly asked Cheney to apologize.
"I truly cannot believe that any vice president of the United States, regardless of their political affiliation, would make such a derogatory statement about my state or any state for that matter," he said.
On Capitol Hill, Cheney's comment was denounced by both Democrats and Republicans.
"This is exactly the type of stereotyping that we don't need from our elected officials," said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. "It's disrespectful, and it's certainly not funny. ... As a proud state, I can say we are disappointed."
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., blasted Cheney, saying that for a vice president to openly display "such contempt and astounding ignorance toward his own countrymen" was an insult to all Americans.
"Now that he or the administration he represents no longer needs their vote, Mr. Cheney apparently feels that he is now free to mock and belittle the people of West Virginia," Byrd said.
Now that he or the administration he represents no longer needs their vote, Mr. Cheney apparently feels that he is now free to mock and belittle the people of West Virginia.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va."The vice president's offhand comment was not meant to hurt anyone," Cheney spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said later Monday. "On reflection, he concluded that it was an inappropriate attempt at humor that he should not have made. The vice president apologizes to the people of West Virginia for the inappropriate remark."
West Virginia, a 2-1 Democratic state, voted for President Bush in 2000 and 2004.
In a question-and-answer session after giving a speech at the National Press Club, Cheney said also joked that he wouldn't object to a family reunion with Obama, but said he didn't think the candidate would be up for one - "at least not before November."
"He'd probably be fearful I might whisper in his ear and change his whole view of the Middle East," Cheney said.
He said that when his wife, Lynne, was doing research on a book, she discovered that his grandmother was descended from a man named Richard Cheney. "So I had Cheneys on both sides of the family," he said.
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See all 249 CommentsRe: "Vice President *** Cheney threw a verbal insult at West Virginians on Monday, but quickly apologized."
Cheney then added, ''But since you brought it up, GO *** YOURSELVES!!!''
Inbreeding.
Ok, that explains most of it.
So if Mr. Obama''s view can be changed by a mere whisper, the contents of the whisper will be "Do what we say, of your whole family dies."
When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?
Men this inept, unfeeling, and uncaring simply do NOT belong in politics! Fortunately, these two men will be heading into retirement where they can no longer do any damage to the country! We hope---
NOW, if the public will reward their brethren, their fellow Republicans, by voting them OUT of office; we can ''clean up'' govt somewhat, try to get back ''on track'', and give the Democrats a little time to fix things before we replace them!
In other words, he is proud that his family is inbred!
When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?
Posted by DSR57
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when did you start thinking that this kind of humor was ok? especially from a "vice-president". If I called your mother a "woman of the night" would you let it "roll off your back"?
This has never been ok and it never will be ok... ever...
He''s a petty, cheap and vulgar man. He rose to his positions by conniving his way and associating with others of his ilk.
January 20, 2009 - the End of an Error.....
I belive the only reason Bush picked him as his running mate to begin with, is W needed sombody to hold his hand while in Office. He certainly has done that and if what has been said about his power in the Administration is correct, the failed policies of President Bush can be traced back to Cheney among others.
In another news story about Cheney he was asked about what he thought about Scott McClellan''s Book. His answer was Bob Dole got it right, in which the former Senator said McClellan was a "miserable creature" Well I can''t think of a more miserable creature than *** Cheney.
Want to see another 100,000 in Iraq? Bet can pull the strings to make it happen. I think they call it payback. So stop pushing his buttons and in a few months they both will be gone. Take the high road.
The only reason he is so effective is because his Boss (W) is not. Yes they will both be out of office at the end of 2008, but the damage they have done to this Nation will be felt for a long time to come.
Posted by tulcak at 06:06 AM : Jun 03, 2008
Are you able to see the irony of your statement? Cheney was made fun of by the press and every comedian and talk show host on TV and radio for months. So here you sit, admonishing Cheney for making a JOKE about WV., all the while making fun of a serious accident involving another human being. I''d bet my last dollar that you''re one of the same people on here who makes fun of the state of Texas just because Bush is from there. Hippocrite!
Posted by notaliberal2 at 06:22 AM : Jun 03, 2008
AMEN! At least Cheney was making a joke...Obama was dead serious with his derogatory elitist remarks.
At least Mr. Obama did not accuse an entire state of the illegal act of incest.
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Posted by maxify55 at 07:07 AM : Jun 03, 2008
+ report abuse
I have known some disgusting Nazi''s in my time... you are truly one of the worst. You have NO feelings for any American''s except yourself. Sieg Heil Bush
This has never been ok and it never will be ok... ever...
Posted by tulcak at 06:10 AM : Jun 03, 2008"
Oh come on now. Tons of people make W. Virginia / inbreeding jokes every day...they just don''t usually happen to represent the United States.
And feel free to call my mother what you like, because that''s your right. Besides, you don''t know her so what would I care? Some momma jokes are pretty good too.
Posted by brianbwb at 07:01 AM : Jun 03, 2008
I guess you''ve never made a joke about a state or sports team or a city or a group of people (short people, fat people, etc.)? I lived most of my life in Tennessee and I''ve heard every hillbilly joke in the world....but I have enough sense to understand that it is not directed at me personally....IT'' A JOKE! What silliness to compare that to Obama''s mean spirited remarks.
BTW I love Texas, some of the best steaks around, Never had a problem all the times I have been there.
Posted by MCVet at 07:15 AM : Jun 03, 2008
Since when do you care about other peoples feelings? You constantly berate everybody on every site and call them Nazis and bootlickers if they disagree with you.
How does this statement make "a mockery of the US Constitution"? You don''t seem to understand anything about the US Constitution! Furthermore, Obama''s statement IS true! People DO cling to religion when they feel desperate. People DO cling to their "right to bear arms" when they feel threatened. Are you so effing stu.pid that you feel insulted by reality?
This little "joke" by Cheney is trivial, compared to his war mongering and profiteering, so you might wonder why anyone makes a big deal about it. We''re just starting to work up some enthusiam for the inevitable International War Crimes Tribunal, that''s all!
When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?
Posted by DSR57
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when did you start thinking that this kind of humor was ok? especially from a "vice-president". If I called your mother a "woman of the night" would you let it "roll off your back"?
This has never been ok and it never will be ok... ever...
Posted by tulcak
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First, I''d call you a freak and Ridicule you for using the term "Lady of the night" Who in the He!! says "Lady of the night" anyway? ha ha.
But seriously I wouldn''t care, You don''t even know my mother. I would be more inclined to break someones teeth out that knew her and said some *** like that
I guess when Obama feels threatened he "clings to his lattes and cappuccinos".
Posted by IDNNSG at 07:32 AM : Jun 03, 2008
Oops...forgot to give credit for stupidity where is was due. I wouldn''t want the above credited to me!
I guess when Obama feels threatened he "clings to his lattes and cappuccinos".
Posted by andersonk49 at 07:39 AM : Jun 03, 2008
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Posted by blondbeotch at 07:44 AM : Jun 03, 2008
How the *** do you know if she was serious or not. You jump on a Dem but take up for a Repub. Typical wingnut.
get to you---he''''s not even a Vet---he''''s some little college snot nosed smart a** kid with no respect for anything or anyone except his fellow LIBBERS--He''''s a moron!!
Posted by blondbeotch at 07:48 AM : Jun 03, 2008
Yeah I know...he runs away like a little baby when you pin him down. I just like running him off.
Your party makes me sick!! All of you!!
AND OH MY GAWD!! He''s even smiling in the picture!!
Well shucks, that made liars out of a lot of people...
Posted by IDNNSG at 07:32 AM : Jun 03, 2008"
You are right ... a mockery of the constitution would be, say, calling it a "scrap of paper" ?
Posted by sleepyric
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Then do us all a favor and change your name to haterdick and we won''t have to put up with your useless hater posts.
You make us Democrats look like inbred West Virginia morons.
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