Cheney Apologizes For Joke On W. Virginia

Lawmakers From Both Parties Rip Vice President For "Inappropriate Attempt At Humor"

(CBS/ AP)  Vice President Dick Cheney threw a verbal insult at West Virginians on Monday, but quickly apologized.

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.

Byrd, a Senate fixture at the age of 90, was hospitalized later Monday at his doctor's urging after suffering from lethargy and sluggishness at the Capitol and, later, at his home, a spokesman for the 90-year-old Democrat said.

"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.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "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!!!''

[sistatee-2009]

Have a heart attack, Cheney.

[shanev137]

wadda dueshbag

[brianbwb-2009]

"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."

Inbreeding.

Ok, that explains most of it.

[brianbwb-2009]

"He''d probably be fearful I might whisper in his ear and change his whole view of the Middle East," Cheney said."

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."

[dsr57]

I thought it was pretty funny. Who cares and why is this news?

When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?

[stn_sage]

UNBELIEVABLE! There are SO many things that Bush and Cheney could be investigated, indicted, charged, and tried on---and yet, they continue to inflame, harass, and insult the people of America! This time---taking a ''cheap swipe'' at the citizens of West Virginia!

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!

[stn_sage]

Considering the way Bush/Cheney have mismanaged the affairs of this nation, they simply shouldn''t be making stupid wisecracks like this---whether it was in jest or not!

[Gary Kempf]

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.

In other words, he is proud that his family is inbred!

[tulcak]

cheney thinks he can make fun of others? cheney? he is an embarrassment and a tragedy. hey, cheney, shoot any of your friends in the face today? how stupid do you have to be to do that while drinking and shooting quail that can''t even fly... all while sitting in a car... why don''t you make fun of yourself... everyone else is. YOU are the joke. so, before you insult others with your stupid intolerant jokes, look in the mirror.

[tulcak]

I thought it was pretty funny. Who cares and why is this news?

When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?
Posted by DSR57
--------------------
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...

[j_flood]

If Mr. Cheney began today, he would probably not live long enough to apologize for all the things he''s done in his life.

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.....

[rob416]

Vice President Cheney is one of the most arrogant VP''s this Nation has ever had. He is one of the most unpopular, if not the most, in US History. Further, he dosen''t care, because as stated by him he is not running for relection. With a statement like that the West Virginia comment should not surpise anyone.

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.

[lewiston14]

Like him or hate him you have to admit he is very effective. I like this line "You can say those things when you''re not running for re-election."
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.

[rob416]

Posted by lewiston14:

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.

cheney thinks he can make fun of others? cheney? he is an embarrassment and a tragedy. hey, cheney, shoot any of your friends in the face today? how stupid do you have to be to do that while drinking and shooting quail that can''''t even fly... all while sitting in a car... why don''''t you make fun of yourself... everyone else is. YOU are the joke. so, before you insult others with your stupid intolerant jokes, look in the mirror.
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!

Where was your demand for an apology Governor when Obama made a mockery of the US Constitution by saying voters are "Clinging to their guns and their religion"???
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.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Obama was dead serious with his derogatory elitist remarks." Posted by andersonk49

At least Mr. Obama did not accuse an entire state of the illegal act of incest.

[zorar-2009]

SO!

[cfin5]

Posted by maxify55 at 07:07 AM : Jun 03, 2008-----You talk like a city boy trying to be a country boy. Takes one to know one,.....and you ain''t.

[abbe91]

What could be worse for McCain than to be endorsed by Bush ? being endorsed by Cheney ... LOL

[mcvet]

Y''''all need to lighten up. Children carrying guns in the street and killing one another is a tragedy. This is a joke that everyone is taking to heart like witto bwats. Get over yourselves. You''''re not that important and he really doesn''''t care what you think of him. He''''s got money and you don''''t. There''''s your problem. People get paid to listen to what he says and you get to post your thoughts here. There''''s your other problem. He''''ll go home to a mansion with servants while go home to your single wide parked on the side of a West Virginia mountain with your pick up outside. Turn on your television and watch Maury Pauvich or Jerry Springer reruns. Open up another 12 pack, tell your daughter to come sit on your lap and just chill. There''''s your picture of how the rest of the country pictures West Virginians.


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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

[navyretired2]

"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 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.

At least Mr. Obama did not accuse an entire state of the illegal act of incest.
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.

[cfin5]

Vice President Cheney stuck up for my 2nd. Amendment rights by filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in regards to the DC gun ban case,....I''m gonna stick up for him to say a hillbilly joke if he wants to. It was in good taste and those certain ethnic non-dental patients can tell better ones than that. If you can''t poke fun at yourself, your too hard headed in the serious department.

[lewiston14]

Rob that is true but history can never be changed only the future. These 3 clowns will not effect any change because the congress will still be to far apart in the majority to pass anything and in the way I think that might not be so bad. HC, OB, and MC won%u2019t have the power or most likely the will or reason to change anything Has to have something in it for them. What I see is four more years of the same thing except that orange will cost $2.50 each, Steaks $40 a pound, Gas $7 to $8 a gallon and a general collapse of our economy if not the worlds. People are tapped out and more join the ranks every day. This summer is going to be a blood bath. People will get whacked over $5.00. Theft crime and murders will grow to levels never seen before.

BTW I love Texas, some of the best steaks around, Never had a problem all the times I have been there.

[cfin5]

Posted by maxify55 at 07:18 AM : Jun 03, 2008------Nope, you just sounded like what I described,.....a wannabe.

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
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.

[skyhawk761]

What is truly amazing is you neocons jumped all over Michelle Obama and left the word "really" proud of America out, but say something bad about Uncle Dicky and you all go nuts. I found the joke funny myself being from Kentucky, but people in glass houses shouldn''t throw stones! You can''t have it both ways.

[idnnsg]

notaliberal2: "...when Obama made a mockery of the US Constitution by saying voters are ''Clinging to their guns and their religion''"

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!

[dsr57]

I thought it was pretty funny. Who cares and why is this news?

When did people quit letting stuff roll off their back?
Posted by DSR57
--------------------
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

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

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

[cfin5]

That''s the nice thing about country folks, real ones that is. They don''t like glass houses for themselves and would just assume poke fun at it all day, throw stones at it themselves. They can grin at there faults like I can. Plenty of other things in life to heavy to laugh about than to strain at the gnats all the time. Gotta learn to eat the grass, but leave the briers alone.......Thank God I''m a Country Boy, YEAH!

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?

I guess when Obama feels threatened he "clings to his lattes and cappuccinos".

[blondbeotch]

Give me a break!!! It was a joke, and a funny one at that, no matter what state he was talking about!!! If it had been a Democrat that said it, all you LIBS would have thought it was hilarious!! You people are so biased!! Shut Up!!!!!

[blondbeotch]

skyhawk761 7:25 You''re an idiot---Cheney was joking----she was not---big, big difference there buddy!! Quit trying to make them the same thing--they are not!!! Typical LIB!!!!

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?
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

[walker1209]

Relax folks!!! As this applies to anyone''s life, this statement or attempt at humor is soooo irrelevant. Get a grip!!! There are real issues out there that the body politic and voting public should be concerned about.

[skyhawk761]

skyhawk761 7:25 You''''re an idiot---Cheney was joking----she was not---big, big difference there buddy!! Quit trying to make them the same thing--they are not!!! Typical LIB!!!!


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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.

andersonk49 7:23 LOL Don''''t let that imposter McVET
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.

[blondbeotch]

anderson49 7:25 yea, you are right----keep up the good work. Bunch of idiots!!!

[sleepyric]

why should anyone be suprised...it''s just another *** coming out of this a$$hole''s mouth..

[sleepyric]

the picture above features two positively ugly creatures...*** and lynne...I wish them all the worst!

[jjp735i]

Like Cheney meant he was sorry for the insult! Anyone buy it?

[sleepyric]

see you can''t even put Cheney''s first name on here - it gets blocked out probably because he is one...a **d_ck*...! Even the computer bots don''t like him.

[blondbeotch]

skyhawk761 7:47 Duhhh?? Of course I''ll take up for a Republican, I am one!!! Do you think I would take up for a lying, theiving, cheating Dem??? NOT!!!!!
Your party makes me sick!! All of you!!

[Latrocinor]

Well gee whiz. The VP DOES have a sense of humor AND he apologized and HE IS human after all!!

AND OH MY GAWD!! He''s even smiling in the picture!!

Well shucks, that made liars out of a lot of people...

[abbe91]

"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?

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" ?

[msay3]

It takes one to know one...*** Cheney isn''t far removed from his comments in the first place....He really struggled through school, almost getting thrown out (Not a strong sign of intelligence)...

[blondbeotch]

jjp7351 7:57 I''m sorry he apologized!! He did nothing to apologize for---You are all a bunch of whining babies--If it had of been a Dem, not a word would have been said---as usual a double standard with you people!! So shut up!!

[Latrocinor]

see you can''''t even put Cheney''''s first name on here - it gets blocked out probably because he is one...a **d_ck*...! Even the computer bots don''''t like him.

Posted by sleepyric
.. .. ..

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.