Putting Cheney’s health back in the spotlight

May 2, 2006

Hotline on Call noted today that Vanity Fair’s Todd Purdum interviewed Dick Cheney for the June issue and explored an important issue that usually generates almost zero attention: the Vice President’s health.

“He takes a range of medications that he and his doctors decline to detail. The extent of his atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, which, if it extends beyond the heart to the brain, can cause hard-to-recognize changes in cognition) is unknown. Bypass surgery itself has long been associated with subtle changes in neurological function.”

“At age 65, Cheney is easily 30 or more pounds overweight, seems to have slacked off on what was once a more rigorous diet, and appears to suffer from recurrent bouts of gout. At a roundtable lunch with reporters a couple of years ago, two who were present say, he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, then proceeded to salt each side of each piece.” (emphasis added)

I believe everyone, including Dick Cheney, is entitled to a degree of privacy regarding personal health issues, but this report is disconcerting. The VP helps run the country, and if he has a serious health condition that might impair his ability to govern, the public should probably know about it.

Let’s also remember the context of all of this. The Bush White House will leak classified information about Iraq and undercover CIA agents, but the VP’s physical condition is a closely-guarded secret.

From a January press briefing:

Q: Scott, does the President think that it would be a good idea for Vice President Cheney to release his medical records to clear up any questions about his health?

McClellan: Well, I think that the President believes that the Vice President’s Office has, over the course of the last few years, provided the appropriate information regarding his health.

Q So the appropriate information, you don’t think it requires a more complete disclosure, like the President does, with a — when he has his health, physical — that he gives a pretty elaborate read-out?

McClellan: I think the Vice President’s Office takes the appropriate steps to provide information to the public about his health, and his doctors do, as well, through the Vice President’s Office.

Q Can you tell us what the pre-existing foot condition is that the Vice President has?

McClellan: Well, the Vice President’s Office talked about that last week. And I’m sure if there’s more information to share with you, they will do so.

McClellan wouldn’t even confirm a 2000 report about Cheney having gout in his left foot. As a rule, when the Bush gang acts like they have something to hide, it’s because they have something to hide.

Are you kidding? That’s Cheney’s exit strategy. The plan is for him to pull a Bill Casey.

  • “Vanity Fair’s Todd Purdum interviewed Dick Cheney for the June issue and explored an important issue that usually generates almost zero attention: the Vice President’s health.”

    Oh, wow! The Office of the Vice President let a reporter ask about Cheney’s health?

    Is he on his way out, while Bush still has control of the Senate and House?

    I know some think this to be a bad thing, Cheney being a drag on the Republicanites and all. But I’d still prefer him long gone, one way or another.

  • Cheney has slithered back into the comfort of obscure darkness after the shooting, where I imagine he supplements his salted buffalo steak with exotic native foods from his home planet. I’ve always suspected that the laws of human physiology may not apply to our Vice President.

  • I’ve said this before, here and elsewhere, but I believe the plan always was that Cheney would step down after this year’s elections to make way for an heir apparent. If control of the Senate changes hands, however, that plan could change, unless the heir is McCain [doubtful] of Allen [groan].

  • “…he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, then proceeded to salt each side of each piece.”

    It would taste best if he would salt the top and bottom as well and then dip it in butter.

    I hope he orders dessert.

  • Granted, this might be Cheney’s exit strategy. Have (or simply pretend to have) a mild stroke, and then exhibit symptoms of memory loss. What an exit strategy this guy has!

    But, there’s another question to deal with. If Cheney goes, does the Senate get a chance to confirm/reject a “replacement” VP if Kid George names that replacement during a Congressional recess? Or are we stuck with some schmuck for a year? Possible scenario here, folks:

    (1) Congress goes out on recess.

    (2) Cheney leaves office.

    (3) Bush names a “clean Republikanner shill” as Cheney’s replacement Roberts swears him in.

    (4) Bush feeds everyone a blanket pardon.

    (5) Bush resigns, and his shill replaces him, with Roberts once again swearing the shill in—this time as President/C-in-C.

    (6) The shill gives Bush a blanket pardon, and then resigns himself.

    (7) Congress comes back—and who’s “third in line of succession?”

    Out of curiosity—is this just too sci-fi to imagine—or is it a possibility?

  • Salts both sides of his steak, eh? Sounds like he’s trying to very slowly commit suicide.

    Without having met him in person, I’d say he’s probably 50-60 pounds overweight.

  • Here’s an obscure, ancient example of Republican hypocricy on the issue….

    Back in the 1996 campaign, for awhile the Washington (Moonie) Times was flogging the issue of Bill Clinton’s medical records. They were demanding that all of BC’s records, every last bit, be released to the public (on the basis of “The public’s right to know,” of course). I remember there was a week or so when this was a headline story every other day, especially when Bob Dole released HIS medical records, and (by implication) made it look like Clinton had something to hide.

    The point, of course, was that the Winguts supected dirt to the effect that Clinton had a sexually transmitted disease, maybe herpes, from extramarital sex.

    Now, of course, the shoe is on the other foot, and Cheney’s records are off limits.

  • To play devil’s advocate here, FDR served much of his presidency hiding his ailments from polio. On the other hand, there is much speculation that Woodrow Wilson’s wife essentially ran the country after he suffered a serious stroke. Personal health issues, as long as they do not conflict with the duties assigned to the Vice President, should remain personal.

    The issue is whether Cheney would be willing to remove himself from office if he were suffering serious effects from his poor health. Interestingly enough, I don’t notice any clause in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution that covers the transfer of Vice Presidential powers in the event of a disability. Presumably President Bush would have to make that decision if it should ever come to that? (After all, he is “The Decider”) Would he dare tell Cheney that he isn’t in the right state of mind to perform his Vice Presidential duties?

  • . . .he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived. . .

    Hmm, etiquette rules for non-pre-schoolers generally dictate that you cut and eat one piece of meat at a time. Are the cognitive problems Cheney may suffer from causing a regression to childhood?

  • Salts both sides of his steak?!? But if it’s bite-sized pieces, shouldn’t he be salting (roughly) 6 sides? If he needs help with the other four, I will volunteer to pour it on…

    Seriously, though, this is good news. After all, the only impediment to impeaching Bush is that Cheney would replace him. If Cheney would only wander off somewhere, we could finally get rid of Bush.

  • Scenario: Cheney resigns for health reasons. Condi ascends to the VP position. The House is retaken by Democrats (insert comment here). Impeachment proceedings begin, with the obvious outcome, given all the man has done. OR Bush resigns under the pressure we now see beginning to really build. Condi finishes out Bush’s term and sets herself up for a run against Hillary, and locking out McCain. The NeoCons retain power for another four…possibly eight years.

    Who’s willing to put down money?

  • If Cheney goes out because he’s thrown out for conduct or his health goes downhill more…..then it better not be that a## lapdog Senator Pat Roberts collecting his payoff for covering up all the dirty deeds of BushCo…..named as the Veep.

  • At a roundtable lunch with reporters a couple of years ago, two who were present say, he cut his buffalo steak in bite-size pieces the moment it arrived, *then proceeded to salt each side of each piece*.” (emphasis added)

    frankly, i’m not worried about the salt consumption, but more about obsessive/compulsive disorder.

    what if, omg, the battalions in iraq are not evenly spaced?!!

    your pal,
    blake

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