BEFORE HE ‘MOVES ON’…. Dick Cheney spoke at some length with radio host Scott Hennen yesterday, and acknowledged that it’s time for older Republican leaders, like him, to exit the stage. “I think periodically we have to go through one these sessions. It helps clear away some of the underbrush,” the former vice president said, adding, “Some of the older folks who’ve been around a long time — like yours truly — need to move on and make room for that young talent that’s coming along.”
That would likely bring some relief to current GOP leaders who would love nothing more than to see Dick Cheney “move on,” but before he does, the former VP wants to take a few more bites at the apple. In yesterday’s interview, Cheney defended torture, went after the president again, and perhaps most importantly, said he doesn’t want to see his party moderate.
Calling politics cyclical, he concluded that the party did not need to go through a process of moderation.
“I think it would be a mistake for us to moderate. This is about fundamental beliefs and values and ideas…what the role of government should be in our society, and our commitment to the Constitution and constitutional principles,” he said. “You know, when you add all those things up the idea that we ought to moderate basically means we ought to fundamentally change our philosophy. I for one am not prepared to do that, and I think most us aren’t.”
Cheney added, “Most Republicans have a pretty good idea of values, and aren’t eager to have someone come along and say, ‘Well, the only way you can win is if you start to act more like a Democrat.’”
I can only assume Democrats are delighted to hear this. Indeed, if the DNC were writing up the script, party leaders would have Dick Cheney doing public interviews, encouraging his party not to move towards the middle. The former vice president continues to do more to help the majority party than hurt it.
This weekend, Cheney is scheduled to appear on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” It’s all part of his plan to “move on and make room for that young talent that’s coming along.”
