Cheney: Obama Will "Appreciate" Our Expansion Of Power

In an interview with Rush Limbaugh (via Politico), Vice President Dick Cheney predicted that the next president will appreciate the way he and George Bush expanded executive power.

"Once they get here and they're faced with the same problems we deal with every day, then they will appreciate some of the things we've put in place," Cheney said.

"We did not exceed our constitutional authority, as some have suggested," Cheney added. "The President believes, I believe very deeply, in a strong executive, and I think that's essential in this day and age. And I think the Obama administration is not likely to cede that authority back to the Congress. I think they'll find that given a challenge they face, they'll need all the authority they can muster."

Cheney went on to express doubt that President Obama would, as he has promised, close Guantanamo Bay.

"Guantanamo has been very, very valuable. And I think they'll discover that trying to close it is a very hard proposition," he said. "They're unlawful combatants. And you if you're not going to have a place to locate them like Guantanamo, then you either have to bring them here to the continental United States and I don't know any member of Congress who's volunteering to have al Qaeda terrorists deposited in his district."

Cheney also expressed grave concerns about the automobile industry.

"We're on the downside of a recession that may be the worst since World War II," he said. "And if the automobile industry goes belly up now, there's a deep concern that that would be a major shock to the system."

Comments

[Savanna]

This has got to be some bad joke. Only the simple minded and believer of the lies spoken on Fox News could think that Obama or any of the rest of us are "glad" about what Cheney and his brand of "goodness" have done for all of us.

[HockeyMom]

Who cares what two marshmallow heads are saying to each other.

[Vixter]

Did anyone else catch the Freudian slip - Cheney said "the President believes, 'I believe very deeply'...­." So now we have it from the horse's mouth (a##) that Cheney feels the Veep should have MORE power in the Executive Branch. Reminds me of an old movie with Humphrey Bogart & Edward G. Robinson (Obama & Cheney, respectively) - "What do you want, Rocco? I want MORE, that's right MORE). All Obama need do is give back some of the stolen power, & the majority of people will be happy.

If that horse's patootie thinks that Guantanamo is such a great place, then why aren't his buddies there? 'Scooter' Libby probably committed more crimes against the U.S. of A. than some of the uncharged men being held without cause.

Thank God that this good ole boy era has only 35 days left. Let's all hope that it goes out quickly & quietly.

[Kingoftruth]

Obama's team should first sweep the white house and take out all hidden cameras the Bush and Co implimented in the WH to spy on the democrats.
Mark my world they need their power back and are ready to do anything to get it back. There are looking for fuel to start a fire. They've already started with Blagojevich scandal.

[BillMelater]

Yea yea we all appreciate what you've done to the office, Dick. Now get off the stage and let the grownups handle things from now on.

[lizzie 8]

yes Obama will also appreciate the fact that Bush and Cheney trashed the economy and made a mockery of our foreign policy. Please Cheney go back to your secret undisclosed location forever!

[Simpletruthiness]

The nerve of this guy. Chavez had it wrong this is El Diablo.

[KCFreedom]

Yea, maybe so, but it's the smell of urine and feces in the office that we don't like. Perhaps Obama won't like the smell, either.

[TairyGreene]

I'm sure someone already posted this but, Why isn't this man in prison?

[BexSF]

The Constitutional Shredders are suggesting the Constitutional Scholar is going to appreciate their obvious and blatant abuse of power?

The Bush/Cheney Plague, outrageous stupidity and arrogance right to the bitter end.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Lets hope he gives O the run and hide plans incase we are attacked..­.

[bleek]

"'tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the blind."

- Bill Shak-of-spear

[PATina]

Most of you are only mad because Cheney said it. If Obama had come out and said he would continue to use the Bush/Cheney expansion of power... you'd be praising him for it... saying how smart he is for keeping it... and how much you trust him in being a unitary executive.

Seriously.­... think about all of the comments on here from people who EXPECT Obama to tell the Congress what to do and if they don't listen... expect Obama to somehow 'punish' them?? How many people have said that Lieberman has to do exactly what Obama wants... or else??? Those are things right out of the Bush/Cheney play book and not how our government is supposed to work. However, some of you really don't seem to care as long as it's "your guy". Imagine the outrage.. if Hillary had won the nomination and voted for the FISA bill?? Would Clinton have received that kind of benefit of the doubt Obama did??? What about McCain... how many of you would you be comfortable with Rick Davis or Steve Schmidt taking over Rove's place in the White House? But it's okay for Axelrod???

The only change many of you really wanted... was Obama himself.

[AmirBukfifti]

Sorry, I don't care who is in office I don't want a president who is above the law. There are supposed to be checks and balances in place (despite congress not using them).

[vjoseph]

WTF? Are you off your meds?!!!!!

[EyeballKid]

I'd hate to think that you're right. Obama's only rational choice is to restore the balance of power, even if it means that he loses some of it. He must know that either he sets an agenda to rebalance the government, or he'll participate in the dissolution of the Constitution. There isn't a middle ground. And if he's got the balls, he'll let loose an special prosecutor to indict Cheney and Bush for war crimes and other violations of foreign treaties and domestic laws.

[newsmctado]

Interesting article about Pelosi's discussion with Rahm Emanuel about this very topic. However, we will have to wait and see if Pelosi or Reid have the stones to follow through with it. Note: I dont think they do.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16622.html

[newsmctado]

PATina, I completely agree with your assertion that if Obama or another powerful democrat had come out and said this, HuffPost readers responses would be much different. However, I disagree with the point you make that Obama supporters simply wanted "their guy" in the White House. I supported and voted for Obama and I honestly hope that some of the (what I believe is constitutionally excessive) executive power will return to congress. Yes we need strong central leaders during times of crisis, but that same tenet is one that is a polarizing force in American politics. I think more initiative on congress' part would allow some "meeting of the minds" between the political extremes, because a lack of 60 seat Senate majority will force the democrats to reach across the aisle if they want to accomplish anything at all. Lets just hope that either side is willing to extend that bridge. Otherwise we are gonna have 4-8 more years of deadlock and political rancor.

[slj316]

We both know that Obama wouldn't come out and say that. This administration used the Constitution like it was toilet paper for the last 8 years and we're supposed to say thank you to them? We appreciate Obama because he won't operate as if he's above the law of the land (the Constitution).

[Julznbillzca]

Cheney on Rush...... I know where I`d like to stick a shoe, but I think Cheney`s head is already there.

[combatveteran]

Would you consider a chat with Bill Moyer? F=ck no!