Press Corps Defends Dick Cheney From Robert Gibbs

Aren't the silly games of media politesse a wonder to behold? Dick Cheney was on CNN this weekend, fearmongering his behind off, as if he wasn't going to be able to enjoy his golden years unless he inspired fear in somebody, and no one really even bats a lash. I mean, the man is doing everything short of leaping out at people at public bus stops and screeching, "OBAMA GONNA GET YOU KEEEEELED! MWAHAHAHA!" Maybe there are people out there who think this is okay, but surely...SURELY!...you wouldn't begrudge the White House the opportunity to defend itself from the accusation that they are going to get people killed, with their policies, especially coming from a guy WHO DID get lots of people killed, with his policies.

And so, yesterday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs did just that, with tone and rhetoric that perfectly fit the nonsensical debate Cheney had set up. That should have been the end of it. But, no! Your press corps decided at that moment to straight up GET THE VAPORS, as if their delicate sensitivities had been offended. HOW DARE anyone question the statements of our widely unpopular former vice-president!

Chip Reid, we could expect this from, since he thinks Democrats all have ugly heads except his paramour Kent Conrad. But Chuck Todd? Really, Chuck? You're gonna play it like this?

Is Robert Gibbs' open disdain for Cheney acceptable to a president who promised to move beyond petty political squabbling? And does the president agree with Gibbs' description of the loyal opposition as "the Republican cabal"?

Honestly? There is a wide gap between participating in "petty political squabbling" and responding to a former Vice President who's loudly suggesting that Americans were going to die as a result of your boss. And as Greg Sargent notes:

Ask those questions if you want, but if they are going to be asked, simple fairness dictates that the following questions should also be asked:

Did Cheney's claim to CNN that Obama has raised the risk of another attack constitute "open disdain," and is it "acceptable" to both the White House press corps and the current GOP leadership? Does the current GOP leadership -- which has called for Obama and Dems to be "bipartisan" -- agree with Cheney's assertions? Why is Cheney's attack getting a free pass from the press, and why shouldn't Gibbs aggressively defend his boss against Cheney's broadside?

Sargent also points out: "There's no sign that First Read had any problem with Cheney's assault." Hell, FIRST READ is promoting Cheney's assault, including a video of it, right on their page!

NOTE TO THE MEDIA: You guys obviously haven't figured this out yet, but it's no longer necessary to worry about "having access" to Dick Cheney, so you can ease up on all the ass-kissing. Just thought you should know!

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Comments

[dynagirl7371]

I wish Tim Russert was still alive.

[zest]

America it is time to take the gloves off where Cheney is concerned; this egomaniacal puppet master's time on the world stage ended a long time ago.

[bobtr900]

The Press Corps is really defending itself, like St. Russert did. Their perfidy and iniquity is telling, and they know it. Journalism in America is corrupt and dying, as it deserves to do. Sometimes, even in Repub America and in the Repub propaganda machine, the Press Corps, justice and truth triumph.

[TheAnti-Bush]

Chuck Todd isn't the only one, did you see Cheney's "interview" with John King? Where were the obvious follow-ups? Wimpy, wimpy,wimpy, not to mention just "soft-ball" questions to start with. (which I bet Dick got a copy of beforehand) Sadly, there are no good investigative journalists anymore.

[miltonista]

Cheney said it like it T-I-IS... would you rather have Stewart interview him?

[IslandGyal]

YES!

[SirReal1]

T-I-IS?

Is that code for something?

I learned a long time ago, IF Cheney's lips are moving, he's lying!

It's just that simple.

[Palemoon]

Great article Jason. Nice to see someone who isn't afraid to tell it like it is, with easy to understand language that is used by everyday people. Keep it up!

[Xpress]

George Bush said that Obama deserves his silence. Now if he could only convince his vp of that notion.

[OMG1109]

Any data on how many heart attacks is one too many??????????????

[realpolitic]

No one gives Cheney any credibility at all, except the media. Cheney has been wrong in almost everything over his entire career and still the press fawn over his prognostications as though he were an oracle. He is never challenged factually by the media, although he is always factually challenged in his responses. He belongs to the same right wing cabal as Limbaugh and others because he does not know truth from ficton.

[Kaviraj]

On September 11, 2001, Dick Cheney was overseeing a series of simulated terrorist attacks involving hijacked airplanes hitting buildings that was called “Vigilant Guardian”. Vigilant Guardian was run simultaneously with NORAD training exercises called Vigilant Warrior and Northern Vigilance that altogether involved as many as eleven hijacked airplanes. This created much confusion and led to stand down orders for the US Air Force that was unsure if the 911 attacks were part of the simulated exercises or real attacks. This confusion accounted for the long delays between initial reports of hijacked planes being used in ‘terrorist’ attacks, and Air Force intercept missions being launched using the few planes not involved in the Northern Vigilance exercise.

[realpolitic]

Well, at least we were prepared for a simulated attck, if not a real one. At the same time, Bush was reading "My Pet Goat."

[Agent420]

How about a reference to prove that you are not making that up.

[STParker]

what, your internet doesn't have google?

[TheAnti-Bush]

To quote the jerk himself:..­...SO???

[dillydawg]

Chuck Todd is good with polling statistics. Chuckles the Clown is just that when it comes down to being a journalist. His behavior is soo childish in the WH briefing room. His questions are often cling on foolishnes.

[WierdWookie]

The MSM is in bad shape when most Americans get their news from Comedy Central.

[Yurdelite]

I write MSNBC daily to let them know they picked a juvenile for the WH press corp. If anybody is in over their head, it is Chuckie Todd. He is a brown.nose­r. extraordinaire especially in the morning with Mika and Joe. He asks the st.up.idest questions. What a wa.ste.

[KofTX]

Of course they defended him....The­y've defended him for 8yrs. F#cK the media...

[Archie1955]

And you wonder why the MSM is going out of business?

[littlepeople]

Comedy Central is fast becoming what the MSM should be in this country.

[lincheryl]

I would hate to be on record as defending Cheney badmouthing a president of less than two months. No wonder media is having trouble these days.

[FloridaDem]

It's time for Dick Cheney to shut up and go away.