Cheney: The Worst Ever

Vice President Cheney may go down in history as one of the worst, if not the worst, ever to hold the job in the nation's proud history.

President Bush should reflect on his decision to pick Cheney as a running mate as a dreadful move when he sits down to write his memoirs.

In many respects, Cheney is running a rogue government with or without Bush's approval.

Evidence is clear now that while Cheney refused to divulge the names of visitors to his residence, he wanted to wiretap private citizens in the name of national security.

Even worse, he shut down a promotion for an underling who thought (correctly) that the administration was acting illegally in pursuing the wiretapping operation. Even a dedicated conservative like Attorney General John Ashcroft was opposed.

All of this comes after a lengthy list of Cheney's missteps:

• He trumped up intelligence reports to pave the way for attacking Iraq. And he continues to deny it in the face of overwhelming evidence.
• His office has smeared opponents of the war who dared speak out. Scooter Libby is headed to prison on this very matter unless Bush pardons him. You can bet Cheney will be urging a pardon.
• He and his buddy Donald Rumsfeldwere the principalarchitects of the failed policies in Iraq. The idea ofinstalling democracy by force is inimical tothe nation's heritage.
• He has helped sink the GOP's present-day fortunes. In the last election, he was against firing Rumsfeld and was opposed even after the voting. Many Republicans said Rumsfeld's tardy departure hurt them at the ballot box.
• His penchant for secrecy knows no boundaries. Early in Bush's first term, he refused to divulge the names of Big Oil executives and others who met with him onenergy policy. Even after he accidentally shot a friend on a Texas ranch, he had to be pushed to admit it.

Cheney's record as a trusted and capable top aide to President Gerald Ford, his service in the House from Wyoming, and his time as secretary of defense have been scorched by his actions these past six-plus years.

Bush picked the wrong man. Neither will ever admit it.