Rush Interviews Vice President Dick Cheney

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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,

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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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

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. 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