December 3, 2021 • 12 mins
RUSH: Once again, Mr. Vice President, it’s a thrill and an honor to have you with us, sir.
VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD B. CHENEY: Well, good afternoon, Rush.
RUSH: All right. First thing. We just had a call that leads me into my first question for you about the economy. The caller was frustrated that the party at large doesn’t seem to be getting the news out about how good the economy is, and indeed the economic statistics are fabulous — unemployment, middle-class wage growth, Dow Jones Industrial Average flirting with 12,000 — and yet we’re told that people don’t “feel” this economy is good. Why do you think that is, if it’s true, and how do you all plan to use the economy in the next three weeks of the campaign?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, I think first of all you’re absolutely right, Rush. The economy is very good. I’ve been involved with a lot of campaigns going back nearly 40 years, and I’m hard put to find a time when things were as good as they are now for the party from our perspective, and you’ve cited all the data. We’ve got over 6.6 million jobs we’ve added in a little over three years now. Home ownership is at an all-time record high. The stock market is at a high. Everything is really kicking along in great shape.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Once again, Mr Vice President of Thrill, and an honor
to have you with a sir, Well, good afternoon Russian.
All right, Um, first thing, we just had a call
leads me into my first question for you about the economy.
Caller was frustrated that the Party UH at large doesn't
seem to be getting the news out about how good
the economy is. And indeed, the economic statistics are fabulous unemployment,
(00:22):
middle class, wage growth, dal Jones industrial average flirting with
the twelve. Yet we're told that people don't feel uh,
this economy is good. Why do you think that is
if it's true, and how how do you all plan
to use the economy the next three weeks of the campaign? Well,
I think, first of all, you're absolutely right, Rush, the
economy is very good. Been involved in a lot of
(00:44):
campaigns going back nearly forty years, and I'm hard to
put to find a time when things were as good
as they are now for the Party UH. From from
our perspective, um, and you've cited all the data. We've
got over six point six million jobs, we've ad in
a little over three years now, we home ownerships in
(01:04):
an all time record high, stock markets at a high,
You know, everything's really kicking along in great shape, and
the deficit was times to drive that point through to
the public. But uh, and I think a lot of
the press coverage, you know, focuses on specific problems. Gasoline
prices go up and everybody gets upset and takes that
as sort of a lead indicated for the economy. But
(01:25):
our gasoline prices are coming down. Um, natural gas prices
are coming down. Heating bills are going to be lower
this winter. So I think it just takes time for
it to think in well, the It's interesting the gas
price run up was was hailed as a uh failure
of the Bush administration's economic policy. Now that gas prices
(01:45):
are coming down, the focus seems to be on what
is it you all are doing to manipulate the market
before the election? Also, you know, wanted to mention to
you that the deficits been cutting half three years early. Uh,
it is it really, it really is stunning news. But
it's a it's a large drive by media megaphone to
overcome Is there is there a is there coordinated effort
(02:07):
within all these candidates that are running for reelection to
stress the economy. Well, we're trying. I've got two major
subjects I address when I'm out on the road. One
is to talk about tax policy and what that's done
for our economy, and the other is to focus on
the global war on terror present. In the last week,
when we had the good news on the depth sit
as we closed out the fiscal year, was out publicly
(02:29):
talking specifically about that point, trying to take advantage of
the opportunity to get the idea across everybody that we
did hit our target three years early in terms of
depthsit reduction, but again that was primarily as a result
of our tax policy and the fact that we've supported
the pro growth policies and it hasn't generated more economic
activity and more jobs and ultimately more revenue for the
(02:50):
federal government. When you're out there, are you encountering uh
any ampathy? Are you encountering engaged citing? What's the mood
you're running and I know you're speaking to mostly Republican audience,
How do you assess them? Sure? Well I did. Yesterday.
For example, I was down in Louisville, Kentucky for a Congressman,
Jeff Davis, who was a great member by the way,
(03:12):
I think get reelected. I also stopped it for Campbell
and and thank members of the hundred first Airborne for
all their good work they've been doing in the Middle East.
But the mood that I find in terms of the
people I'm talking with is very positive. Now. Of course,
I'm probably not going to see a lot of Democrats
coming to Republican fundraiser, so I don't want to misread
(03:34):
the situation, but I think I find a far more
positive attitude out there than one would be led to
believe just by reading the national press. Do you get
frustrated when you see Republicans speculating on how many House
seats are gonna lose? Well, I think it's a natural,
normal situation at this stage. But I really think we're
(03:54):
going to do reasonably well. And uh, I think we'll
hold the Senate. And I also think we've got a
goot got holding the House. And I've done a hundred
and fourteen campaign so far this cycle. I've been all
over the country, um, seeing all kinds of candidates and
all kinds of races. But I think the key will
be you know, who goes to the polls on election day,
And certainly it's always tough when you're in the mid
(04:17):
term of your second presidential term in office. Historically those
are the most difficult elections for the incumbents in the
White House. But I think the basic fundamental facts in
terms of national security, in terms of five years of
of defeating the terrorists and their efforts to try to
launch another attack against the United States. I think the
overall healthy economy. I think progress we're making in all
(04:39):
those areas all argues that in fact, when the American
people have to make a choice between us and the Democrats,
I think they'll come down on the side of supporting
the President and Republican candidates. The war Rock, national security,
war on terror, it's it's all combined into one issue
now as far as the election is concerned. And when
you h but I saw the President last night say
(05:01):
that acknowledges that there's some frustration on the part of
the American people regarding a rock because we all want
to win. And uh, it's we can't declare victory yet. Um.
The President signed the Military Detainee Act today, the Tribunal Act. Uh.
And it's it's clear to me anyway that you and
the White House are not changing policy on this at all.
(05:23):
That the operating policy here is victory. Um is the
is the perception that victory is possible strong enough? Is
is that is that possibility being laid out in strong
enough terms of the American people that they think it's possible.
Are they beginning to doubt that it can happen? Well,
I think there's some natural level of concern out there
(05:45):
because in fact, you know, it wasn't over instantaneously. It's
been a little over three years now since we went
into Iraq, So I don't think it's surprising that people
are concerned. On the other hand, this government has only
been in office about five months, five or six months now. Um,
they're off to a good start. Uh. It is difficult,
no question about it. But we've now got over three
(06:06):
hundred thousand Iraqis trained and equipped as part of their
security forces. They've had three national elections with higher turnout
than we have here in the United States. H If
you look at the general overall situation, Um, they're doing
remarkably well. It's still very very difficult, very tough, and
nobody should underestimate the extent to which we're engaged there
(06:27):
with This is sort of at present the major front
in the War on Terra. That's what Osama bin Lawton says,
and he's right. It's very important that we prevail there.
But we're engaged on a really on a global basis.
We're very active in Afghanistan. We've got UH continuing activities
in Pakistan. We've captured and field more alcide in Pakistan
probably than any place else. We're active working with the
(06:50):
saudiast and many others in that part of the world.
So it's a major conflict. It's going to run for
a long time, UH, and everybody needs to understand that.
Campaign I look on as an opportunity to remind everybody
what's at stake here and UH in this particular instance,
it's especially important to point out to people that the
terrorists can't beat us in a stand up fight. They
(07:11):
can only win if we lose our will, and they're
betting we will. They're betting we don't have the stomach
for the fight. And I don't think that's true. And
I faced with that basic fundamental choice, I think the
American people understand that it's having gone on offense, I
havn't gotten aggressive going after the terrorists, closing those training
camps in Afghanistan, and working to take down the regimes
like Saddam Hussein and to the stand up democracy is
(07:34):
in their place, as well as tough measures here at home.
So what's kept us safe for five years? And it's
the reason why there hasn't been another attack like nine
eleven on the US. Well, I there's no question the
American people respond to leadership in in times like this. Uh.
And it's let me let me put it to you
this way. I I um was reading something today a
(07:56):
writer don't remember who was speculating on increase terrorist attacks
in a rock attempting to demoralize the American people as
we get up to the election. And I read that
It made sense to me and I interpreted this is
that the terrorists are actually involved and want to involved
themselves in our electoral process, which must mean they want
(08:18):
to change. Now. I know you can't comment politically on
on the point that I make, but do you expect uh?
And is there preparation for it? But one of the
things I read was that there's been noted plots to
actually try to blow up the Green Zone. We one
was aborted and discovered recently, but some major attacks being
(08:40):
planned for right up until the election, which could be
devastating if they happen in terms of the American people's morale. Sure, well,
I think there's no question of what this is A
sophisticated crew who understand the impact on public opinion. And
as I say, I think, well, they say as much
what they're banking on. They harked back to Somalian or
(09:02):
Beirute three when after Americans were killed, our response was
to withdraw our forces. So I think they're very sensitive
to that kind of thing. And as I say, they
clearly don't have the military capability to defeat us, but
they believe they can break our will. And so you
look at something like our elections here and I think
they're probably I don't have any proof, but I think
(09:24):
they're probably very sensitive to that. We saw what they
did in Spain a few years ago. I remember, right
as in our supported US very aggressively, and shortly before
the elections in Spain they launched an attack on the
trains that set off several bombs and killed a bunch
of people shortly before the election, and they probably did
have that impact. There was a story in the Washington
(09:46):
Post yesterday or earlier in the week that was they were.
The reporter was amazed that the President and Karl Rove
remained quote inexplicably upbeat unquote about the outcome of the elections.
And there is no land for if Republicans lose the
House and or the Senate. Can you tell us why
the upbeat attitude in the White House? Well, because you know,
(10:08):
we're out there working hard in connection with this campaign.
Because I think we feel like we've got some great candidates. Um.
I've got great confidence in Carl and Ken Melman up
at the r n C. These are two of the
best in the business in terms of understanding this process.
And I think our candidates are well financed. We're doing
everything humanly possible to succeed in this election. And of
(10:34):
course we tracked polls as everybody else does too. And
I think it's easy to sit in Washington and sort
of absorb the vibes coming from the national media. Um,
but that doesn't represent necessarily what's going on out there
around the country. And when you get out on the
ground talking with real people about real problems, their hopes
(10:54):
and desires for their families and for the nation, as
well as their appreciation for what we've been able to
accomplish over the last six years. One final, one final question.
You guys are fighting so hard to uh defeat the
terrorists in and around this country and around the world.
Do you have any reactions to the lenient sentence that
(11:16):
Lynn Stewart received yesterday in New York. Well, I was
I was surprised. I of course, it's not for me
to uh substitute my judgment for a judge, but I think,
of course the prosecution had asked for much different sentence.
And this was somebody who has been supposedly convicted or
(11:36):
pled guilty to being a key intermediary for a major terrorist. Uh.
And you know that's significant. I think we need to
make certain that when we find somebody who is indeed
in bed with a terrorists, that they are appropriately brought
to justice. Mr Vice President, thanks very much for your time.
(11:59):
I I know you gave us a couple of minutes
extra than you had on your schedule, and I appreciate
it and we look forward to the next time. Best
to you. Well, Rush, You've got a great show. It
is always and it's good to talk to you. Thank you, sir.
Vice President Dick Cheney
Once again, Mr Vice President of Thrill, and an honor
to have you with a sir, Well, good afternoon Russian.
All right, Um, first thing, we just had a call
leads me into my first question for you about the economy.
Caller was frustrated that the Party UH at large doesn't
seem to be getting the news out about how good
the economy is. And indeed, the economic statistics are fabulous unemployment,
(00:22):
middle class, wage growth, dal Jones industrial average flirting with
the twelve. Yet we're told that people don't feel uh,
this economy is good. Why do you think that is
if it's true, and how how do you all plan
to use the economy the next three weeks of the campaign? Well,
I think, first of all, you're absolutely right, Rush, the
economy is very good. Been involved in a lot of
(00:44):
campaigns going back nearly forty years, and I'm hard to
put to find a time when things were as good
as they are now for the Party UH. From from
our perspective, um, and you've cited all the data. We've
got over six point six million jobs, we've ad in
a little over three years now, we home ownerships in
(01:04):
an all time record high, stock markets at a high,
You know, everything's really kicking along in great shape, and
the deficit was times to drive that point through to
the public. But uh, and I think a lot of
the press coverage, you know, focuses on specific problems. Gasoline
prices go up and everybody gets upset and takes that
as sort of a lead indicated for the economy. But
(01:25):
our gasoline prices are coming down. Um, natural gas prices
are coming down. Heating bills are going to be lower
this winter. So I think it just takes time for
it to think in well, the It's interesting the gas
price run up was was hailed as a uh failure
of the Bush administration's economic policy. Now that gas prices
(01:45):
are coming down, the focus seems to be on what
is it you all are doing to manipulate the market
before the election? Also, you know, wanted to mention to
you that the deficits been cutting half three years early. Uh,
it is it really, it really is stunning news. But
it's a it's a large drive by media megaphone to
overcome Is there is there a is there coordinated effort
(02:07):
within all these candidates that are running for reelection to
stress the economy. Well, we're trying. I've got two major
subjects I address when I'm out on the road. One
is to talk about tax policy and what that's done
for our economy, and the other is to focus on
the global war on terror present. In the last week,
when we had the good news on the depth sit
as we closed out the fiscal year, was out publicly
(02:29):
talking specifically about that point, trying to take advantage of
the opportunity to get the idea across everybody that we
did hit our target three years early in terms of
depthsit reduction, but again that was primarily as a result
of our tax policy and the fact that we've supported
the pro growth policies and it hasn't generated more economic
activity and more jobs and ultimately more revenue for the
(02:50):
federal government. When you're out there, are you encountering uh
any ampathy? Are you encountering engaged citing? What's the mood
you're running and I know you're speaking to mostly Republican audience,
How do you assess them? Sure? Well I did. Yesterday.
For example, I was down in Louisville, Kentucky for a Congressman,
Jeff Davis, who was a great member by the way,
(03:12):
I think get reelected. I also stopped it for Campbell
and and thank members of the hundred first Airborne for
all their good work they've been doing in the Middle East.
But the mood that I find in terms of the
people I'm talking with is very positive. Now. Of course,
I'm probably not going to see a lot of Democrats
coming to Republican fundraiser, so I don't want to misread
(03:34):
the situation, but I think I find a far more
positive attitude out there than one would be led to
believe just by reading the national press. Do you get
frustrated when you see Republicans speculating on how many House
seats are gonna lose? Well, I think it's a natural,
normal situation at this stage. But I really think we're
(03:54):
going to do reasonably well. And uh, I think we'll
hold the Senate. And I also think we've got a
goot got holding the House. And I've done a hundred
and fourteen campaign so far this cycle. I've been all
over the country, um, seeing all kinds of candidates and
all kinds of races. But I think the key will
be you know, who goes to the polls on election day,
And certainly it's always tough when you're in the mid
(04:17):
term of your second presidential term in office. Historically those
are the most difficult elections for the incumbents in the
White House. But I think the basic fundamental facts in
terms of national security, in terms of five years of
of defeating the terrorists and their efforts to try to
launch another attack against the United States. I think the
overall healthy economy. I think progress we're making in all
(04:39):
those areas all argues that in fact, when the American
people have to make a choice between us and the Democrats,
I think they'll come down on the side of supporting
the President and Republican candidates. The war Rock, national security,
war on terror, it's it's all combined into one issue
now as far as the election is concerned. And when
you h but I saw the President last night say
(05:01):
that acknowledges that there's some frustration on the part of
the American people regarding a rock because we all want
to win. And uh, it's we can't declare victory yet. Um.
The President signed the Military Detainee Act today, the Tribunal Act. Uh.
And it's it's clear to me anyway that you and
the White House are not changing policy on this at all.
(05:23):
That the operating policy here is victory. Um is the
is the perception that victory is possible strong enough? Is
is that is that possibility being laid out in strong
enough terms of the American people that they think it's possible.
Are they beginning to doubt that it can happen? Well,
I think there's some natural level of concern out there
(05:45):
because in fact, you know, it wasn't over instantaneously. It's
been a little over three years now since we went
into Iraq, So I don't think it's surprising that people
are concerned. On the other hand, this government has only
been in office about five months, five or six months now. Um,
they're off to a good start. Uh. It is difficult,
no question about it. But we've now got over three
(06:06):
hundred thousand Iraqis trained and equipped as part of their
security forces. They've had three national elections with higher turnout
than we have here in the United States. H If
you look at the general overall situation, Um, they're doing
remarkably well. It's still very very difficult, very tough, and
nobody should underestimate the extent to which we're engaged there
(06:27):
with This is sort of at present the major front
in the War on Terra. That's what Osama bin Lawton says,
and he's right. It's very important that we prevail there.
But we're engaged on a really on a global basis.
We're very active in Afghanistan. We've got UH continuing activities
in Pakistan. We've captured and field more alcide in Pakistan
probably than any place else. We're active working with the
(06:50):
saudiast and many others in that part of the world.
So it's a major conflict. It's going to run for
a long time, UH, and everybody needs to understand that.
Campaign I look on as an opportunity to remind everybody
what's at stake here and UH in this particular instance,
it's especially important to point out to people that the
terrorists can't beat us in a stand up fight. They
(07:11):
can only win if we lose our will, and they're
betting we will. They're betting we don't have the stomach
for the fight. And I don't think that's true. And
I faced with that basic fundamental choice, I think the
American people understand that it's having gone on offense, I
havn't gotten aggressive going after the terrorists, closing those training
camps in Afghanistan, and working to take down the regimes
like Saddam Hussein and to the stand up democracy is
(07:34):
in their place, as well as tough measures here at home.
So what's kept us safe for five years? And it's
the reason why there hasn't been another attack like nine
eleven on the US. Well, I there's no question the
American people respond to leadership in in times like this. Uh.
And it's let me let me put it to you
this way. I I um was reading something today a
(07:56):
writer don't remember who was speculating on increase terrorist attacks
in a rock attempting to demoralize the American people as
we get up to the election. And I read that
It made sense to me and I interpreted this is
that the terrorists are actually involved and want to involved
themselves in our electoral process, which must mean they want
(08:18):
to change. Now. I know you can't comment politically on
on the point that I make, but do you expect uh?
And is there preparation for it? But one of the
things I read was that there's been noted plots to
actually try to blow up the Green Zone. We one
was aborted and discovered recently, but some major attacks being
(08:40):
planned for right up until the election, which could be
devastating if they happen in terms of the American people's morale. Sure, well,
I think there's no question of what this is A
sophisticated crew who understand the impact on public opinion. And
as I say, I think, well, they say as much
what they're banking on. They harked back to Somalian or
(09:02):
Beirute three when after Americans were killed, our response was
to withdraw our forces. So I think they're very sensitive
to that kind of thing. And as I say, they
clearly don't have the military capability to defeat us, but
they believe they can break our will. And so you
look at something like our elections here and I think
they're probably I don't have any proof, but I think
(09:24):
they're probably very sensitive to that. We saw what they
did in Spain a few years ago. I remember, right
as in our supported US very aggressively, and shortly before
the elections in Spain they launched an attack on the
trains that set off several bombs and killed a bunch
of people shortly before the election, and they probably did
have that impact. There was a story in the Washington
(09:46):
Post yesterday or earlier in the week that was they were.
The reporter was amazed that the President and Karl Rove
remained quote inexplicably upbeat unquote about the outcome of the elections.
And there is no land for if Republicans lose the
House and or the Senate. Can you tell us why
the upbeat attitude in the White House? Well, because you know,
(10:08):
we're out there working hard in connection with this campaign.
Because I think we feel like we've got some great candidates. Um.
I've got great confidence in Carl and Ken Melman up
at the r n C. These are two of the
best in the business in terms of understanding this process.
And I think our candidates are well financed. We're doing
everything humanly possible to succeed in this election. And of
(10:34):
course we tracked polls as everybody else does too. And
I think it's easy to sit in Washington and sort
of absorb the vibes coming from the national media. Um,
but that doesn't represent necessarily what's going on out there
around the country. And when you get out on the
ground talking with real people about real problems, their hopes
(10:54):
and desires for their families and for the nation, as
well as their appreciation for what we've been able to
accomplish over the last six years. One final, one final question.
You guys are fighting so hard to uh defeat the
terrorists in and around this country and around the world.
Do you have any reactions to the lenient sentence that
(11:16):
Lynn Stewart received yesterday in New York. Well, I was
I was surprised. I of course, it's not for me
to uh substitute my judgment for a judge, but I think,
of course the prosecution had asked for much different sentence.
And this was somebody who has been supposedly convicted or
(11:36):
pled guilty to being a key intermediary for a major terrorist. Uh.
And you know that's significant. I think we need to
make certain that when we find somebody who is indeed
in bed with a terrorists, that they are appropriately brought
to justice. Mr Vice President, thanks very much for your time.
(11:59):
I I know you gave us a couple of minutes
extra than you had on your schedule, and I appreciate
it and we look forward to the next time. Best
to you. Well, Rush, You've got a great show. It
is always and it's good to talk to you. Thank you, sir.
Vice President Dick Cheney
Rush Limbaugh - Timeless Wisdom News
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