Veep for the Ages

When former President Bush notified the Republican House leader in 1989 that he was nominating Dick Cheney to be secretary of defense. Bob Michel was reportedly distraught. He said, “Mr. President, you’re taking my right arm.” The current President Bush has no intention of suffering such an amputation. “Dick Cheney is the best vice president this nation has ever had,” Bush frequently declares to enthusiastic applause on the campaign trial. His predecessors predictably bestowed similar accolades upon their choices, although this president is the only one who freely allows, “My mother may not agree.” He is also the only one with a vice president whose intellect, experience, temperament, and character have made him both indispensable to the administration and an asset on the campaign trail.

“Dick Cheney was made for the kind of race we’re going to be running this year,” says Bush-Cheney campaign manager Ken Mehlman, dismissing out of hand the recent speculation that Cheney’s winning gravitas in 2000 has been replaced by a worrisome gravity in 2004. “This race turns on very big questions and no one is better qualified and able to articulate them than Dick Cheney,” Mehlman adds.

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Kate O'Beirne

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Presidential Election

When former President Bush notified the Republican House leader in 1989 that he was nominating Dick Cheney to be secretary of defense. Bob Michel was reportedly distraught. He said, “Mr. President, you’re taking my right arm.” The current President Bush has no intention of suffering such an amputation. “Dick Cheney is the best vice president this nation has ever had,” Bush frequently declares to enthusiastic applause on the campaign trial. His predecessors predictably bestowed similar accolades upon their choices, although this president is the only one who freely allows, “My mother may not agree.” He is also the only one with a vice president whose intellect, experience, temperament, and character have made him both indispensable to the administration and an asset on the campaign trail.

“Dick Cheney was made for the kind of race we’re going to be running this year,” says Bush-Cheney campaign manager Ken Mehlman, dismissing out of hand the recent speculation that Cheney’s winning gravitas in 2000 has been replaced by a worrisome gravity in 2004. “This race turns on very big questions and no one is better qualified and able to articulate them than Dick Cheney,” Mehlman adds.