Leahy Explains Cheney’s F-Bomb Incident, Says Hayes ‘Puff Piece’ Got It Wrong
Leahy Explains Cheney’s F-Bomb Incident, Says Hayes ‘Puff Piece’ Got It Wrong
In his biography of the Vice President, Stephen Hayes recounts Dick Cheney version of why he dropped the f-bomb on Patrick Leahy on the Senate floor in 2004. Cheney asserts he told Leahy to “go f— yourself” because he was close to kissing him.
A congressional source who witnessed the incident disputed that account and told ThinkProgress that Cheney unloaded his expletive when Leahy attempted to cordially shake the Vice President’s hand.
Last night on MSNBC’s Countdown, Leahy — speaking publicly about the incident for the first time — explained that traditionally all Vice Presidents have reached out to both sides of the aisle when they come onto the Senate floor, but “Dick Cheney never does. He always stands on the Republican side.” Leahy continued:
So I walked over and thought maybe he was being shy. I said, Dick, come on over and talk to the Democrats too. We won’t bite you. He reacted as he has described he reacted.
The irony is that the Republican Senators who were there were the ones who told the press about it. I didn’t say anything to anyone about it. In fact, I think this is the first time I’ve publicly stated what happened.
Watch it:
Leahy criticized Hayes for failing to check Cheney’s version of events with others who witnessed the incident. “If Mr. Hayes had intended to write a serious story other than a puff piece about the Vice President,” Leahy said, “he would have actually picked up the phone and called me or called several of the senators standing there.”
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55 Responses to “Leahy Explains Cheney’s F-Bomb Incident, Says Hayes ‘Puff Piece’ Got It Wrong”
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we don’t need no stinkin facts
July 26th, 2007 at 10:31 amIt’s comically ironic that Dick Cheney, of all people, would use homophobia as an excuse for boorish behavior.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:33 amLEAHY: “If Mr. Hayes had intended to write a serious story other than a puff piece about the Vice President,†Leahy said, “he would have actually picked up the phone and called me or called several of the senators standing there.â€
He’s so polite. :D
July 26th, 2007 at 10:33 ami think cheney is greatly overestimating his attractiveness.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:33 amOkay, so no we know that Leahy was not trying to kiss Cheney. That is good news as I would be suspect of his taste.
It sounds like either Cheney is in love with Leahy or Stephen Hayes is slowing revealing his love of Dick.
Jack Jett
July 26th, 2007 at 10:38 amhttp://www.jackejett.com
Does any know if Leahy did, in fact, go f–k himself?
July 26th, 2007 at 10:42 amSo we are suppose to believe Leaky Leahy’s version because…..?????
This Senator is known to lie for the heck of lying, he is known to leaking top secret information to the press, he is known to politicize everything.
and after how the Democrats had been treating Cheney and Bush before the incident, Cheney had every right to drop the f-bomb, if and that is a big IF Leahy’s version is the right one.
amazing how the Liberal blind sheeps are so willing and so ready to believe their Democratic gods.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:43 amOh, well, if an unnamed source ThinkProgress has talked to says so, then that’s the darn truth!
July 26th, 2007 at 10:45 amUh oh, I think TP has beetlejuiced Daryll.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:45 amPuff the magic vicepresident
July 26th, 2007 at 10:48 amperjury, prevarication. lying, stretching the truth, bs’ing.
it is time to enact laws about truth. If truth is to nebulous a term, perhaps “fact” “documents as written” “sworn testimony” “public record” “reality”. (feel free to add other variations) Those of us that demand it and use it, have a right to expect it. It is time to eliminate the type of people we have as politicians from ever being politicians again. None understand the truth, except how to subvert it to their needs. that is in it’s own way, somewhere between a violation of the public trust, up to treason.
I think I am capable of dealing with it. I also think that you are too. So let’s consider the alternative of having liars pay the price for it, what do you say?
opinions, like sphincters, are ubiquitous. other things should be as well. It would rid us of religion, pundits, advertising…. Politicians will become “public servants”. god will become vapor due to the lack of reality associated with it.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:48 amUm, Mr. Hayes, not that this need concern you, but a true “journalist” in this situation would issue what is known as a “correction.”
And a “nice person” would issue what’s known as an “apology.”
July 26th, 2007 at 10:48 amDamn Liberal Media at it again!!!
July 26th, 2007 at 10:53 amLeahy on Monday had a conference call to kick off the Democratic National Committee’s “Halliburton Week” focusing on Cheney, the company, “and the millions of dollars they’ve cost taxpayers,” the party said.
“I didn’t like the fact that after he had done so, then he wanted to act like, you know, everything’s peaches and cream,” Cheney said.
I might have told the guy the same thing. Then again, I’m not the VPOTUS. Someone questions my integrity (rightfully so or not) and then wants to shake my hand and be friendly in public, I’m gonna tell ‘em to go f– themself, too.
This just shows that the VP is human (debatable) and partisan (unquestionable).
July 26th, 2007 at 10:54 amThe Cheney’s story simply does not ring true. It looks like a stupid excuse to explain his unpardonable action. This shows the utter contempt that the Republican administration has for others. They have truly earned similar treatment in return.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:56 amThe Cheney’s story simply does not ring true. It looks like a stupid excuse to explain his unpardonable action. This shows the utter contempt that the Republican administration has for others. They have truly earned similar treatment in return.
Comment by JMOHR — July 26, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Slow, Democratic brainwashed fools. Bush and Cheney were being treated with hatred and contempt by the left wing, by Democratic politicians long before they became part of our Executive Branch.
Most of you diaper wearing Liberals don’t seem to remember the hateful attacks that the left launch at Bush and Cheney during the 2000 election.
well, not that facts and history matter to the left. All you diaper wearing babies care about is power, power and government control of our lives.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:02 amCheney doesn’t want to be seen as cheating on Jeff “Sugarlips” Gannon.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:03 amSgt Higgins: Halliburton has been involved in numerous no bid contracts. As we all know, Halliburton over billed the government by hundreds of millions (actually over $!billion) as supported by what little auditing has been permitted by this administration. I remember that the award of such contracts to Halliburton was justifiably questioned. (I am an attorney for over twenty five years and have been on both sides of contract litigation, bid protests and fraud investigations.) I am sorry but Cheney’s action remind me more of those I have represented whose hand have been caught in the cookie jar. His integrity questioned? I do not remember that as part of the investigations. Sounds more like he was irked because it hit him in a vulnerable area. But what else to you expect from a common criminal?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:03 amLeahy you should be happy thats all you got from deadeye and didn’t get a load of buckshot in the FACE!!!
July 26th, 2007 at 11:06 amCheney should have used his hunting rifle on Leahy. Poor leaky leahy…..whine, whine whine….Democrats all a bunch of cry babies.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:09 amStephen Hayes is well known as a right wing, neocon hack.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amIf someone gave me his book, I’d burn it.
I didn’t even have to watch that report to know the story was complete BS. What kind of writer, reporter, whatever, would honestly think one old-timer senator would walk up and try to kiss another old-timer who is Vice President? The story is so stupid that it puts into question not JUST the credibility of the “biography” but the credibility of the author as well.
I wonder, did he also write about how Cheney didn’t want to be VP and only did so after people came to him begging him to take the job? Most of the rational thinking world remembers Cheney appointing himself as the best man for the job…but what good is a functional brain really?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amComment by JMOHR — July 26, 2007 @ 11:03 am
JMOHR,
I did not intend to appear to be defending the guy’s actions. But seriously, let’s take your scenario: If someone gets caught red-handed doing something they ought not to be doing, it’s human nature (albeit childish and immature) to get defensive. I’m just saying that if someone I absolutely DO NOT consider to be a friend, comes over and wants to shake my hand and play nice, I might tell him the same thing.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amI might tell him the same thing.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 26, 2007 @ 11:11 am
You might, but the Vice President of the Unites States? It isn’t like these two guys met in a bar in south Philly or something. I realize that you are probably right, but it wasn’t a good course of action.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:13 amI realize that you are probably right, —– Yeah, that actually happens every once in a while. My wife might disagree, though. lol
but it wasn’t a good course of action. — Not by a mile, I agree.
Comment by Krazny
July 26th, 2007 at 11:15 amYou’d think with a gay daughter that Shotgun Dick Cheney wouldn’t be encouraging violent homophobic behavior.
I can’t wait till Dick Cheney runs!
-GSD
July 26th, 2007 at 11:16 amLeahy you should be happy thats all you got from deadeye and didn’t get a load of buckshot in the FACE!!!
Comment by mark
Yeah! Shaking hands is deadly business!
July 26th, 2007 at 11:16 amRosencrantz sez:
Well, in defense of Deadeye, it has happened before… ^_^
July 26th, 2007 at 11:16 amPolitical Commercial for the next Election: People are upset with the partisan atmosphere of Congress. A demo extended a hand in a social gesture and the response was……
Cut to tape of Cheney telling someone to F themselves.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:19 amThis is, of course, only a story worth reporting for the entertainment value. Cheney has a list of activities worth digging into that are far worse than this little incident.
I do find it fascinating that he finds Democrats so objectionable that he refuses to venture anywhere close to them or shake their hands — odd behavior for any politician. Is he afraid that reason and sensibility are contagious?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:21 amjust for yuks - which really ain’t happenin’ - i switched from XM left
to XM right… uuuuuuugh (think lurch, adams family fame)…
now i know that even lionul is better than that garbage…
g.gordon now… his guest is some weasel, er editor, of am.spectator…
he’s written a book about hillary! … the delusion and lies are amazing…
still with the trashing the w.h. stories - oh! they did it to the governor’s mansion too! …it’s the way they are!
oy…
July 26th, 2007 at 11:22 amtime to turn on the vacuum… even better!…
later…
If someone gave me his book, I’d burn it.
Comment by ∞Ω
———————————————————————————
Typical of a Lefty to feel a need to destroy any information that might refute their predetermined conclusions. Reminds me of my brother-in-law who threw away a copy of the book ‘While Europe Slept’ which I had given him, because he felt creepy having a “rightwing” book on his shelf….nevermind that the book is written by Bruce Bawer, a gay, liberal Democrat who has previously written books critical of the Christian right.
The idea that the book might burst his bubble was enough reason to toss it out…besides what would his arty friends think if they happened to see the book on his shelf?
http://www.amazon.com/ While-Europe-Slept-Radical-Destroying/ dp/ 0385514727/ ref=pd_bbs_2/ 103-2343641-0415823?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185463195&sr=8-2
July 26th, 2007 at 11:23 amIf Dicky had not gone for the VP role and instead accepted an ambassadorship to Russia, his Chicken Kiev would have come with polonium seasoning. That guy has all the tact of Nikita Khrushchev.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:24 amComment by JMOHR — July 26, 2007 @ 11:03 am
JMOHR,
I did not intend to appear to be defending the guy’s actions. But seriously, let’s take your scenario: If someone gets caught red-handed doing something they ought not to be doing, it’s human nature (albeit childish and immature) to get defensive. I’m just saying that if someone I absolutely DO NOT consider to be a friend, comes over and wants to shake my hand and play nice, I might tell him the same thing.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 26, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Most people miss the real significance of Cheney’s remark. Telling someone to “Go Fu(k themselves”, is now socially acceptable. If a kid has a disagreement with a teacher, telling them to go… is defendable by pointing out that the VP did it on the floor of the Senate, so it must be okay. After all - the BA is backed by god almighty, and has returned honor to the office of the POTUS (not that DC is the President - he’s in the fourth branch of government).
July 26th, 2007 at 11:27 amcan a puff piece be written about the Prince of Darkness? How fluffy can you get about a guy who drinks while taking meds and shoots someone in the face.
Tell me Ringo, does the book go into how the ground was the only thing that saved that guy from more buckshot? Does it go into how Cheney was not only drunk and on meds but he was shooting at ground level and not in the air. Doesn’t sound too sporting but it sounds just like Dick.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:35 amhellinabucket sez:
Don’t forget, hellinabucket, that from the dispersal pattern observed, the shot would have had to come from 10 feet, rather than the 30 yards Cheney testified to.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:41 amthe shot would have had to come from 10 feet, rather than the 30 yards Cheney testified to.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey
Well if he can’t judge a man from a bird, what makes you think he can judge distance?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:43 amDick Cheney is a frightened, dangerous, insecure, arrogant, power-hungry man with social skills more commonly found in a high school detention center. Yet, he is in control of the federal government. Why does that not ring alarm bells?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:45 amHis own heart rejects him.
Thanks for the reminder on how close the poor sap was.
SGT. Higgins, good point. For that matter, what has he been a good judge of?
July 26th, 2007 at 11:47 amThe new Cheney biography is the second book from Stephen Hayes. The other, The Connection: How al Qaeda’s Collaboration with Saddam Hussein Has Endangered America, is available from Amazon.com for 2 cents.
For more on why Hayes’ writing literally isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on, see:
July 26th, 2007 at 11:53 am“Stephen Hayes: Cheney’s Favorite Iraq-9/11 Fabulist Now Biographer.”
Dick Cheney has a 3-foot long vagina. Still - nobody wants to kiss that ugly bit(h.
Comment by Minister of Fact
You are quite mistaken, that is all a$$. The part about no one wanting to kiss it is correct though.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:55 amI saw that. He said all the author had to do was ask the Republican senators who actually saw it and conveyed it to the public.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 pmTypical of a Lefty to feel a need to destroy any information that might refute their predetermined conclusions. Reminds me of my brother-in-law who threw away a copy of the book ‘While Europe Slept’ which I had given him…
Comment by Ringo
When you resort to sweeping, ill-defined terms such as “typical of a Lefty”, one can’t help but think you’re more interested in demonizing a non-existent group (typical Lefties) than making a valid point about anything.
BTW, what does “While Europe Slept” have to do w/ this thread?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm#41 Kind of shoot his whole argument in the face, doesn’t it. Great retort.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:10 pmOh, well, if an unnamed source ThinkProgress has talked to says so, then that’s the darn truth!
Comment by DreamCrusher
Reading thru the obvious sarcasm, looks like a cabal suck-up here. Those of us living in the real world know taking ANYTHING Cheney says at face value is just plain stupid at best. Go take something for your cranial rectumitis and STFU.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:12 pmGreat retort.
Comment by hellinabucket
Thank you. It’s the practice!!!
Trolls do serve a purpose after all. I’ve noticed people’s rebuttals are getting sharper of late. More to the point, less name calling (at times…). We’re getting better at calling them on their false arguments and meaningless comments.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmWell if he can’t judge a man from a bird, what makes you think he can judge distance?
Comment by SGT Higgins
Well, what about a man giving him the bird?
BTW, hear about the individual who got arrested for “assault” simply because he had a chance to talk to Cheney for a minute and had the NERVE to tell him he didn’t like his policies?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pmLeahy smells like a pig, that’s why!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:12 pmOf course Cheney made that s*** up, that’s what he does.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:15 pmStephen Hayes is a LIAR. Just like all the other goons that work for the Bush Administration.
All of them witches.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:30 pmIf Leahy was going to investigate Halliburton, why would Cheney get all upset and curse out Leahy? Was Cheney expecting to go to jail soon? (That’s a rhetorical question.) And Cheney claimed the dispersal pattern of that birdshot was from 30 yards? Right, like Saddam had WMD! Why do wingnuts have so much trouble facing the truth?
July 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pmA hearty good afternoon to all.
#52
July 26th, 2007 at 2:53 pmWingnuts can’t face the truth because they are wrong. And what’s worse is; They are slowly realizing that their heroes are displaying the same faults they have been trained to despise. This makes them dangerous, for the moment, but will render them irrelevant in the end. Those who don’t exist in the real world are, ultimately, unable to affect it. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
Off topic. This is a story that every American must see.
July 27th, 2007 at 12:59 amhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2007/ 07/ 26/ AR2007072602025.html
McQueen surely has a thorn in his side and vitriol to spew. No addition of facts to add, however. Too bad. Some of us welcome an honest and open discourse.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pmWait, Dickie is really the Prez, and I’m really the Veep! GeorgiePoergie.
July 29th, 2007 at 2:53 am