Why has Cheney been so silent lately?

[AnnInLa]

Questioning why Vice President Cheney has been “publicly silent and mostly out of sight” since the Iraq Study Group issued its report, U.S. News reports that a former Cheney adviser believes the vice president is now cutting-and-running from the “grave and deteriorating” situation in Iraq:

“I think we’ll see less of him than ever,” says the associate. “Iraq is now Bush’s baby, and Cheney doesn’t want to be tarred with it in the eyes of historians.”

But: another view


White House insiders say Cheney is playing an inside game, advising President Bush privately not to change course too much in Iraq, not to withdraw U.S. troops anytime soon, and not to talk directly with the hard-line regimes in Iran and Syria about the situation.

Cheney, an architect of current policy, is waiting for Bush to decide, perhaps early in the new year, what to do next before he speaks out. At that point, insiders say, he will go public to sell the president’s decision around the country, especially in speeches to conservative audiences who still have a high regard for Cheney, even though his popularity with the public is very low.

Cheney is reportedly advocating taking the side of the Shiites in Iraq’s civil war, a position which caused him to be “summoned” recently to Saudi Arabia and has stoked fears of a broader war in the Middle East.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/12/13/cheneys-silence/

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I've always been told that you gotta watch out for the "quiet ones".

He's been a little too quiet.

[Ezlivin]

2. Heading up NTAC - Next Terrorist Attack Commission

The next 9/11-style attack is just in the planning stages, though.

[maxsolomon]

3. out of sight out of mind

its working, too. its a deliberate media management strategy.

where is the demand in tha MSM for his head? he's the PNAC signatory, not Bubble Boy.

[havocmom]

4. After being dressed down by Baker and the Saudis?

Plotting revenge

Arranging lobotomies for any and all aids who might be called to testify against him

Building a home in a nation that doesn't extradite

Planning the bomb run to kick off war with Iran

Finalizing plans for the 'attack' which will justify martial law and the suspension of Congress being sworn in next month

So much evil to be done, so little time.

[majorjohn]

5. He thinks by hiding people will forget about him n/t

[hippiechick]

6. Silent ?

He only gives interviews etc during campaign season when he's sent out to say all the nasty inflammatory things that Boy George can't say.

Otherwise he does most of his evil deeds behind the curtains and in the shadows.

[jarab]

7. I think he's finally out of the loop. Just a hunch, though. (nt)

...O...

[opihimoimoi]

8. Like Bush, he is confused,hurt, lost, flummoxed, stymied, bothered,

etc etc

He doesn't know what the hell to do...he is fucked and he knows it...

He is thinking of a way out....and he is starting to think...THERE IS NO WAY OUT...

Not even Rove can give the answers they want/wish/hope/pray for...

Forget CONDI and KAREN...they arew lost too

Paul Wolfie guy?? He never had it

Tony? Forget him...

Ted Haggard? "Will ya stop it"

Rush, Sean, Bill O??? Nope, they act like they know but they don't....

Who then will come to the BushCo Rescue?

The GOP with a request Bush/Cheney step down...only then will their agony of defeat be lifted...

[BurtWorm]

9. He's hoping no one will notice him?

:shrug:

[MiniMe]

10. He is waiting for the bruises the Saudi's gave him fade

They must have beat him up pretty bad!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

11. I thought he was still determined to get "his" oil.

:shrug: