In a surprising twist, the White House announced Friday that Vice President Cheney would speak at the Republican National Convention, ending a political and personal sub-plot within the unfolding presidential campaign drama.
The vice president’s spokeswoman, Megan Mitchell, said Mr. Cheney received an invitation on Friday morning, and that he would address the delegates on the first night of the convention, which will be held in St. Paul, Minn., from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4.
Barack Obama said that changes in Social Security and Medicare will be central to efforts to bring federal spending in line.
Senate Democratic leaders opened the door to allowing Roland W. Burris to take Barack Obama’s seat.
Barack Obama and his aides scrambled to defend the choice of Leon E. Panetta as C.I.A. director.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a medical correspondent for the news network and a neurosurgeon.
Members have been wrestling with an unsettling reality: Barack Obama can propel their agenda but may diminish their influence.
January 07
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The former president notes that he is an honorary co-chair of the inaugural committee and says he is asking for money to help in “making the inauguration a great success.”
January 07
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In an excerpt from an interview with John Harwood, President-elect Barack Obama talks about being sensitive to “market psychology” and working with Wall Street.
January 07
(20 comments)
The senator from California eases off her objections to a new director for the C.I.A.
January 07
(4 comments)
More confirmation hearing dates for Cabinet members named by President-elect Barack Obama have been set.
January 07
(6 comments)
The swelling Democratic majority requires bigger digs for many of its caucus meetings.
The latest on the presidential transition and other political news from Washington and around the nation from the staff of The New York Times.
From 1 to 25 of 50 Comments
How embarrasing. Labor Day! At least Jerry Lewis will get high ratings during that segment of the telethon which competes with Cheney and his minion, George. So, other than Bush, McCain and Cheney, have any other Republicans announced that they are going to the convention? All I’ve seen lately are the ones who’ve announced that they aren’t going.
— Kevin P.That’s fantastic. Dick Cheney is so the Republican Party. He truly represents their warmth, concern for humanity, and belief in the principles of our democracy. Who knows? Maybe he’ll bring his hunting rifle! Won’t that be fun!
Remember: A vote for John McCain is like giving Dick Cheney a third term, too!
— HDAhhh, finally, a place where Cheney can accurately predict he will be greeted with flowers and fawning throngs.
— northrhombusHow proud Republicans must be!! Not only do they get the most despised President to open their convention, they get treated to the “inspirational fear-mongering message” of the defacto commander-in-thief, Dick Cheney. This will help coalesce the infamous right-wing base while repelling the moderates and independents!
If it wasn’t for the Diebold “voting” machines, the Republicans would probably be worried!! When you do whatever it takes to win (at all costs), you’ll throw democracy under the bus! ExxonMcCain ‘08!
— Jane M. JordanThis may be a good counter-balance to the Clintons co-opting the DNC. Only neither Bush nor Cheney can give a speech like Hillary and Bill can, if Bill will keep his foot well away from his mouth.
— WilliamWho cares what that sneering, criminal man has to say. I’m sure he won’t say what is the truth, only what he perceives the public and the GOP folks want to hear. If he was going to be honest, he would say that: he got his, and his future is locked up, as he made sure of that when the wealth of our country was shifted to the small percentage of VERY WEALTHY Americans from the average American taxpaying citizen. And now he can go back to getting paid by Halliburton, which will mean even MORE MONEY, which is the only god that Cheney worships. I’ll be so glad to see him gone. Good bye Dick.
— Denise BrownJust keep reminding people that Dick Cheney is a leader of the republican party. This could only do positive things for the republican party. Trust me!
— Jeff (Mpls)dick cheney is a great american patriot.
i’m sure that in his speech, he’ll explain, once and for all, his rationale for pursuing six draft deferments when he was of military age, and then, later in life, instigating a war of aggression to be fought by other people’s sons and daughters.
he will show all his repug supporters that he is not a chickenhawk.
he will, won’t he?
— JP, milltown, njMcCain gets it that w/o Cheney addressing the R party faithful, he has no chance of winning this.
— damselMaybe he can explain to the American people why he took us into an unnecessary war.
— MariaThis is terrific news. It will remind the voters where McCain and the other Republicans really stand. Secret deals to manipulate the energy policy for the oil giants. Tax welfare for the ultra rich. And invading nonthreatening sovereign nations for fun and PROFIT.
Bring him on.
— Bob DI can see people running to their remote to watch reruns right about now. Let him speak on Labor Day, as there is footy on television (NFL or College).
And, what will he say? How great it was serving a wonderful party and President for the last eight years? How about that the country is better shape than it was eight years ago? How about we saved the Iraqis from the Saddam Hussein reign of terror? How about the the world is much safer now? How about that Americans are enjoying the good life with no job, credit, energy and mortgage worries?
Yes, Mr. Cheney you are going to throw your support for John McCain and his chosen VP. So folks, which is worse Dick Cheney speaking at the Republican Convention or Hillary and Bill Clinton speaking at the Democratic Convention. Talk about equal time for idiots!
— NickNow I get it! I finally understand Karl Rove’s master plan!
The first night of the convention, you have Bush and Cheney present. During the ceremony, McCain has a sudden health problem and is deemed incapable of continuing the campaign. Before the VP pick can even get a chance to speak at the convention, Bush walks in and uses his authority as The Decider and the Republican Party’s leader to declare Cheney the new Republican candidate for President! A toxic nerve agent is leaked into the crowd, which involuntarily applauds their newly promoted Darth Cheney. During their hapless circumstance, Cheney anounces that he does not intend to have a running mate. All hail Cheney/Cheney ‘08! The media cannot believe what has taken place, and subsequently worship Cheney and Bush for accomplishing what nobody thought could be accomplished in a constitutional democratic republic as our own. If they’re this despicable, they must be ready to lead!
Brilliant, Karl! Brilliant!
— FelixMmm I love it. The Republican party doesn’t quite get that Dick Cheney is probably the only singular being (I can’t say human) in the US who has a LOWER rating than President BUSH!
— TravisWhat possible good could come out of this for the Republicans? I think they should keep Cheney as far from the RNC as possible. He is a dangerously evil and dangerously insane human being.
— UtahDemMaybe he’s hoping to be selected as McCain’s running mate!
— Samuel Barst“So.”
— northrhombusIt is interesting every now and then to check in and see what kind of thinkers are reading the NYT.
— SteveOh dear, they won’t let him bring his gun, will they? If so, uh-oh, everybody duck!
— Patricia MongerWell, something to counterbalance the toxicity of having Hillary and Bill at the Democratic convention.
No wonder people are leaving the country. Hundreds of millions of citizens, and these people wind up at the conventions.
— trudyMmm I love it. The Republican party doesn’t quite get that Dick Cheney is probably the only singular being (I can’t say human) in the US who has a LOWER rating than President BUSH!
— Posted by Travis
Try the Democrats in Congress.
— TonySNow I get it! I finally understand Karl Rove’s master plan!
The first night of the convention, you have Bush and Cheney present. During the ceremony, McCain has a sudden health problem and is deemed incapable of continuing the campaign. Before the VP pick can even get a chance to speak at the convention, Bush walks in and uses his authority as The Decider and the Republican Party’s leader to declare Cheney the new Republican candidate for President! A toxic nerve agent is leaked into the crowd, which involuntarily applauds their newly promoted Darth Cheney. During their hapless circumstance, Cheney anounces that he does not intend to have a running mate. All hail Cheney/Cheney ‘08! The media cannot believe what has taken place, and subsequently worship Cheney and Bush for accomplishing what nobody thought could be accomplished in a constitutional democratic republic as our own. If they’re this despicable, they must be ready to lead!
Brilliant, Karl! Brilliant!
— Posted by Felix
This is great. I have printed it out and posted it all over my school as an example of the psychology of a typical Democrat. I knew the concept of a “vast right wing conspiracy” started somewhere.
— LisaFIf it wasn’t for the Diebold “voting” machines, the Republicans would probably be worried!! When you do whatever it takes to win (at all costs), you’ll throw democracy under the bus! ExxonMcCain ‘08!
— Posted by Jane M. Jordan
If it wasn’t for the Daley “voting” machine, the Democrats would be worried. Where would Obama be (or JFK)? When you do whatever it takes to win (at all costs), you’ll throw democracy under the (Obama) bus!
— MychaleWrightObama ‘08!
Hope he brings his trusty hunting rifle.
— YanosI can’t wait to see him arrive! It will be interesting to see the Republicans paint the pentagram on the convention floor that summons Darth Cheney from the depths of fire and brimstone! It will be like magic!!!
— Shawn