Cheney To Rahm: "Keep Your VP Under Control"

CNN reports on a private meeting organized by White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, where 13 of his predecessors offered future Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel some bipartisan advice.

Vice President Dick Cheney had some blunt -- and humorous -- advice for incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel at a private breakfast earlier this month, CNN has learned.

"The best thing you can do is keep your VP under control," Cheney told Emanuel, according to three sources familiar with the White House meeting that had previously not been disclosed publicly.

One of the sources, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the private meeting, said the room broke up in laughter because of Cheney's reputation for being a hard-charging vice president.

Politico gives the full list of attendees: Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld (Ford), Jack Watson (Carter), Howard Baker and Kenneth Duberstein (Reagan) John Sununu and Samuel Skinner (Bush 41), Mack McLarty, Leon Panetta, Erskine Bowles and John Podesta (Clinton) and Andy Card and Bolten (Bush).

Emanuel got tips on how to preserve his family life; was urged to keep in mind that the most important word in his title is "staff"; pushed to hire only the best and then give them Sundays off when possible; and reminded to be candid with the president (something, one former top aide said, would not be a problem with the outspoken and sometimes-profane Emanuel)

He might have been a former top aide himself in the Clinton administration, but Emanuel took "copious notes" the whole time, one participant recalled.

"There was a lot of camaraderie," recalled Emanuel. "This is a shared experience of just about a dozen people, and it was touching that Josh pulled it together and that so many could attend and wish me luck."

Comments

[Eidolas]

Sounds like a good 'ole boys club, yucking it up together.

[lochnessmonster]

just goes to show...our government is a sieve...people who are not allowed to speak about things do it any way and it is printed.

[greginwva]

Your right.Rahm had better control his staff.

[lochnessmonster]

makes me wonder why people who are not allowed to speak on a subject still have a job...unless they are told "don't say anything" (wink, wink)

[keepemhonest]

What a nauseating cast of characters Rahm had to deal with .... I'm sure he lost his appetite .... perhaps he even barfed before, during & after the meeting.

[johnnygoodwud]

whatever cheney suggests, just do the complete opposite and you'll be fine.

[DarthDerisive]

WHAT!! DID HE SAY KEEP THE VP UNDER CONTROL??!! Thats it!! Where is the guy in the black suit *looks under mousepad* this HAS to be the twlight zone!!

[Sumocat]

And don't let him shoot anyone in the face.

[lmab]

I am shocked! I didn't know Cheney could survive in daylight.

[plzchuteme]

He can, but only if he wears a sunblock with an SPF of 2500 or more.

[atlantajoe]

enlightening comment !

[hortonhearsawho2]

and don't forget to mention where to hide in case America is attacked Dick ole boy.

[atlantajoe]

with obama as pres, why would anyone attack us ?

[lmab]

Just to make Rush happy.

[roshni]

Just the rightwingnuts. They can't stand it when they don't get their way.