Dick Cheney Questions Why Sarah Palin Resigned As Governor, Talks Vice Presidency With Laura Ingraham

Former Vice President Dick Cheney shared his thoughts on Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate and questioned her reasons for leaving her position as governor of Alaska, during an appearance on "The Laura Ingraham Show" Friday.

When Ingraham asked Cheney what qualities were necessary in order to be a successful vice president, he listed a sense of humor about late-night comedians, a willingness to "do what you think is right" and a knowledge that "you don't run anything as vice president." He also said thick skin was necessary for the job.

"And you do need to have thick skin, you’ll be subject to a lot of criticism, some of it funny, some of it not so funny," Cheney said.

When asked whether Sarah Palin was well-suited for the vice presidency when she ran with Republican candidate John McCain in 2008, Cheney focused more on her actions as governor.

"Well, I’ve never gotten around the question of her having left the governorship of Alaska midterm," Cheney said. "I’ve never heard that adequately explained so that I could understand why, how she decided in her first term to step down and still be -- I’d like to know more about that."

Cheney's comments follow a statement made by Karl Rove during an August 24 appearance on Fox News, when he said Palin has shown signs of "enormous thin skin" as speculation continues about a potential 2012 presidential bid.

Palin is scheduled to make an appearance at a Tea Party rally in Iowa on Saturday. She released a video last month that fueled speculation that she would use the appearance to announce her presidential candidacy.

Palin pushed back against the rumors. "Any professional pundit claiming to have 'inside information' regarding Governor Palin's personal decision is not only wrong but their comments are specifically intended to mislead the American public," read a statement on the SarahPAC website.

Rove responded to the statement with consternation. "I'm mystified," he said. "Look, if she doesn't want to be speculated about as a potential presidential candidate, there's an easy way to end the speculation. Simply say, 'I'm not running.'"

LISTEN: Dick Cheney on "The Laura Ingraham Show"

Comments

[StarGazr5992]

02:58 PM on 10/10/2011

yeah why did she quit other then to many millions off her name and everything she was saying or lying about

[charles conlan]

09:17 PM on 09/20/2011

Lets raise money for the two candidates for president and pick the winner by the one who raises the most money.
That is how it turns out anyway.
Have you ever wondered why a hand full of people have the gall to pretend to be leaders and we let them, All three hundred fifty million of us?

[PerryDunn]

12:23 AM on 09/06/2011

Well, on this question of why Palin quit her job as governor and how much this needs to be clarified, I have to say it's the first time I've ever agreed with Cheney about ANYTHING!!!

It's a good question. And so very strange that the fans of Palin who seem to have nothing good to say about the very honorable President Obama, don't seem disturbed by the fact that this woman couldn't even do the job she was given, the job a great many people worked hard to secure for her, including the voters of her state who believed in her and gave her their trust. What does she do with that trust?? She quits mid-term to chase after celebrity, money and the delusion of fame and glory. Wow, that's really admirable, isn't it? That exactly the kind of value system I want in the person running my country.

If nothing else he ever says makes sense, THIS query about Palin is his high point.

[Beverly Whitt]

02:49 PM on 09/05/2011

Oh my, has it been four years already? I dread the up coming months. We Americans have to suffer through another Mr or Ms Republican-who's who pageant. (Conservative of course!) Where they claim each other as dirty dogs. And in the end we get to vote which dirty dog gets the office of the Presidency. And, if they (the Republicans) don't make the presidency again, the U.S. will suffer more years of disgruntled, sniping, people who call themselves Christians. Come to think of it, though, can you imagine the silence on the internet, if they don't have someone to pick on? My emails will again be a pleasure to read! What, oh what will they do with their spare time?

[LaoShur]

02:01 AM on 09/05/2011

"...and a knowledge that "you don't run anything as vice president."

My god, the LIES and twisting of the truth this man puts out are mind boggling!!
He used, by far, MORE decision making power than ANY other V.P. in history!! He was instrumental in HALVING the number of troops Army command said were needed to secure Afghanistan. No doubt so it would deliberately become a protracted war and he and his buddies could rob the coffers of the taxpayers for that much more money!!

[bluejean1951]

09:51 AM on 09/05/2011

ahahahaha that's his clever little way of saying that "none of this economic mess or the two nasty wars were MY fault!" Bush did it! ahahahaha Rats and sinking ship come to mind.

[LaoShur]

10:05 AM on 09/05/2011

The problem arises from the fact THEIR ship isn't sinking, it's OURS!!

[jchal20826]

12:31 AM on 09/05/2011

Please, not another gotcha question.

[knott wrench]

11:24 PM on 09/04/2011

Sarah Palin, "Tell a Lie often enough and people will believe its the Truth". Joseph Goebbles/Karl Rove.

Then again, you have two Looser Narcissitic Clowns biting at each others tail.

[marluz]

10:43 AM on 09/05/2011

That's so true! F&F!

[wannabefree]

10:23 PM on 09/04/2011

Sarah quit in order to avoid further inquiries in her ethics violation. She had something to do with ethics, if there 10 to 14 complaints. Cheney is right for one time in asking the right question against a republican

[PaleMail]

06:52 AM on 09/05/2011

Cheney is just doing what others in the Republican hierarchy are doing, trying to downplay the Tea Party faction of their party, their candidates, and their potential candidates.

[nevadagirl]

10:19 AM on 09/05/2011

Nothing political, he's just over Snooki Of The North.

[DeTex]

08:58 PM on 09/04/2011

Why must we keep going over this same territory? She said at the time that she was leaving to benefit the State of Alaska and all of its good citizens. As it has turned out, she was/is absolutely correct. Alaska and all of its good citizens have been greatly helped by Sarah quitting.

[pietromp]

02:37 AM on 09/05/2011

She would've benefited the State of Alaska if she would've left all things in place and had all her records out in the open to show how transparent she was while Governor and explained all the inquiries about her abuse of power or lack there of, that way the State of Alaska wouldn't have to spend all that money in fighting lawyers and courts, she's just a narcissistic woman wit no self respect...

[ambrecel]

08:33 PM on 09/04/2011

This liberal lady thinks she should jump in the pool, water is just fine. I know hold my tongue. Ignoring her didn't work.

[jagrmeister721]

07:36 PM on 09/04/2011

Cheney was perhaps the worst VP in recent memory.  From misrepresenting intelligence on Iraq to Pres. Bush in order to manipulate him into war to championing the meaningless occupation in Afg., to lobbying for Bush to bomb Syria.  He went from being a thoughtful adviser to a raving madman on anything related to the Middle East; essentially a trusted mouthpiece for the Likudnik Right fifth column in this country.

[DeTex]

09:00 PM on 09/04/2011

Cheney was perhaps the worst VP in recorded history.

Fixed.

[nevadagirl]

10:21 AM on 09/05/2011

Bush The First was second with that Iran-Contra business.

[ragnbully]

07:25 PM on 09/04/2011

The smartest thing he's said since being out of office!

[Israelibabs]

05:32 PM on 09/04/2011

SP couldn't manage her own family. Two illegitimate grandchildren. She quit as governor when she got the chance to make more money and realized she could earn more by spewing hate instead of actually having to work. Sp as president would be like me giving my money to a crackhead to safeguard for me.

[doctor-ruth]

07:19 PM on 09/04/2011

Illegitimate? Wow, I haven't heard that word in a while, thankfully.

[nevadagirl]

10:23 AM on 09/05/2011

I think it was used ironically against someone who hears it in church. Evangelicals still use the word fornication.

[gypsynomad]

04:47 PM on 09/04/2011

Oh pleazzee...Pot...Kettle...whatever.....

[AKBarb2U]

04:23 PM on 09/04/2011

I believe Sarah Palin knows she is NOT qualified to run for Presidency, but she is pushed by those who pull her purse strings, the ones with the buckos. She will do anything for money. She feeds her frenzied ego by leaving the Media to wonder what she is going to do, "to run or not to run", that is the question. Honestly it is her last attempt to remain in the limelight. She needs the attention. BUT if any of you think she is political material, ask an Alaskan! We are still cleaning up the mess she made. And if you want to know why she quit, Well, "Alaskans held her responsible for her actions!" I think, plainly put, she did a terrible job as Governor and was close to being recalled! Alaskans were hunting her unethical processes down and had her in our cross hair sights of unethical behavior and she was constant in repeating offenses, she was doomed to be recalled. It really is simple, she was not qualified to hold the Governor's office and she knew it and she knows she is NOT qualified to be President, she just likes all the attention.

[mollymac]

06:11 PM on 09/04/2011

Yes Barb! I lived there for over 5 years and was there during her "reign". I don't think people understand what a lousy job she did as a governor! Even though Parnell finds reasons to exonerate her dubious behaviors, we who lived through it, know all about her egregious political
lies and scams.

[marluz]

11:12 AM on 09/05/2011

F&F, for a great post!