New GOP Feud: Cheney Vs. Powell!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 -

Posted By MichaelSweeney - Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 9:38 AM

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Cross-posted on The Stonecipher Report

Well, "retirement" from the top levels of US government service hasn’t exactly been a quiet time for former Vice President Dick Cheney, has it, eh? He keeps showing up in the media, (so predictably) criticizing the Obama Administration, defending his stands on torture (and other "unpopular" decisions) while in power, and – now – apparently settling old scores by picking sides against former allies.

For example, the ol’ Dick showed up on CBS's "Face the Nation" program over this past weekend, and, to host Bob Schieffer's noted surprise, spoke out in support of Rush Limbaugh over former Bush Administration figure Colin Powell. Both the radio conservative and the former Secretary of State have said that the now-struggling Republican Party would be better off without the other figure. And, when posed the choice between the two of them by Schieffer, Cheney stated, "I'd go with Rush Limbaugh."

Cheney continued – in a blank, faux-innocent (and even semi-surprised) way – that his "take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican." He also said that he thought that Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama (which, of course, Limbaugh said was clearly and solely race-related) was "some indication of his loyalty and his interests." And when Schieffer repeated the question directly – "And you said you’d take Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell?" – Cheney replied, "I would, politically."

…Well, I guess this means that a feud is officially on – yeah! big-time GOP feud!! whoopee!!! – so, I thought perhaps that I could sort a bit through the…uh…distinctly different (to say the least!) images, actions, and personalities of the two men involved. So, to help us all choose potential sides in this dispute – fight! Fight!! FIGHT!!! – here are some quick (and quite clear) comparisons between Colin Powell and Dick Cheney…

COLIN POWELL Vs. DICK CHENEY

Powell: Longtime military man

Cheney: Longtime (assumed) draft-avoider

Powell: Respected, admired

Cheney: Feared, dreaded

Powell: Ran the State Department openly and efficiently

Cheney: Ran the United States secretly and horribly

Powell: Showed independence and reality by backing Obama for President

Cheney: Showed obstinacy and disregard for the American people by backing President Bush into a corner

Powell: Thought to be stern but big-hearted

Cheney: Thought – after 4 cardiac attacks – to have no heart

Powell: Men who served under him remain loyal to him

Cheney: Men who served under him likely to spend time in prison (perhaps WITH him)

Powell: Sometimes reminiscent of beloved actor James Earl Jones

Cheney: Too often reminiscent of Jones’ scary voice role as "Darth Vader"

Powell: Shares his first name with a usually not-thought-of body part

Cheney: Shares his first name with a perfectly appropriate body part

Powell: Might well have been a more successful Presidential candidate than the man his party chose in 1996

Cheney: Might well have been an ever greater disaster as Presidential candidate than the man his party chose in 2008

Powell: Played by Jeffrey Wright in Oliver Stone’s "W." (who was a lifesaver in "Angels in America"…and who knows James Bond quite well)

Cheney: Played by Richard Dreyfuss in Oliver Stone’s "W." (who meanly dumped the "Goodbye Girl"…and who the shark in "Jaws" wouldn’t even eat)

Powell: Apparently misled into lying to Congress about Iraq seeking Nigerian yellowcake

Cheney: Apparently didn’t care if he lied to the American public about nearly EVERYTHING

Powell: Dissed by self-centered megalomaniac Rush Limbaugh

Cheney: Apparently as self-centered a megalomaniac as Rush Limbaugh

Powell: Chose not to run for the Presidency over concern for its effect on his family

Cheney: Had to skip running for the Presidency because nearly the entire country hated him

Powell: Can eventually picture him on a stamp

Cheney: Can eventually picture him on trial

Powell: Career-long military background, so perhaps fired meaningful shots in battle

Cheney: Life-long meanness background, so perhaps shot a hunting friend in the face just because he wouldn’t move fast enough

Powell: Lightly dark-skinned

Cheney: Darkly dark-souled

Powell: Served under the first President Bush, then grew in reputation

Cheney: Served under President Ford, then grew in evilness

Powell: With maybe a little extra weight, award-winning actor Morgan Freeman could probably do a good job of portraying him

Cheney: With maybe a little extra aging make-up, goofy actor Paul Giamatti could probably do a good job of portraying him

Powell: Likely to be judged by history as a dependable military leader and thoughtful diplomat who got caught up in a tragically failed administration

Cheney: Likely to be judged by history as the Constitution-ignoring and torture-encouraging ringleader of a tragically failed administration

Powell: May actually be the currently most popular remaining self-identified Republican in the US…

Cheney: Is probably (quite easily) the least popular remaining self-identified Republican in the US…

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[-] powell - Guest-Marcion

Wasn't really a Republican, he was just an ambitious man trying to capitalize on his military successes in Iraq to get a political career going. And Bush used him and tossed him aside like a two dollar whore. And then Powell endorsed Obama. I'm going to have to go with Dick on this one, Powell does not represent the Republican Party, which is actually a compliment to him

[ Posted at 3:10 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] George Bush the elder won't like this - Guest-ericlewis0

he and Powell and Wilkerson and Baker are total buds. I hope he's urging his son to cooperate with authorities in a trial against Cheiny the Heiny.

[ Posted at 4:15 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Oh, for fuck's sake - Guest-davidmizner

"misled into lying"?

Can't we take delight in Cheney's (unsurprising) comments without pretending Powell is something that he's not? He signed off on torture and lied us into war. It's hard to measure the gallons of blood on his hands.

[ Posted at 3:22 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] He certainly over-played the "good soldier" card - Guest-Vtdblue

and for that, I can never fully forgive him. At least he's acknowledged it to some extent, though, and appears to feel genuine remorse in a way that is only partially self-serving. But agreed that he was, as a minimum, played for a fool, and that his reputation will be forever tarnished to some extent by that.

[ Posted at 3:37 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Powell was Rommel - Guest-Rusty5329

to the Cheney Himmler.

[ Posted at 4:23 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] In a Robert McNamara sort of way... - Guest-polecat726

Rommel wasn't trying to sell the UN on some bogus WMD story.

[ Posted at 4:28 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Rommel was a much better general, - Guest-corvo612

at least in terms of "competent." He also wasn't a suckup.

[ Posted at 4:30 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Yeah he got where he was - Guest-BatFish

by standing up to Hitler. "You know, Fuhrer, you can shoot me but I think you are nuts for invading Russia." I can see it now. Rommel was a nazi general. Period. And I really don't care how efficient a killer he was.

[ Posted at 1:01 PM on 5/13/09 | Reply ]

[-] OMG. I agree with Mizner. - Guest-polecat11

[room spins]

Actually Dave is spot on. Powell was in it up to his neck. It's just that Rummy was worse.

[ Posted at 4:34 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] I Think Cheneys Fear & Dread Days - Guest-TooFolkGR

...ended in January.

All I have for him now is pity. Not the empathetic kind that makes me want things to go well for him, just the hollow kind where all you feel is sad about someone's existence.

[ Posted at 3:41 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] No pity from me. - Guest-beemerr90s

Just the usual loathing.

[ Posted at 4:25 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] I want them both to lose, but it would be nice - Guest-polecat

if Powell made Cheney's demise appropriately gorey. Pun intended.

[ Posted at 3:47 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] appropriately . . . gorey? - Guest-corvo

"There was a wet sort of explosion, audible for several miles. And that, thank heavens! was the end of the Beastly Baby."

[ Posted at 3:54 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] The words and actions of the DICK and the Rethugs - Guest-janicegwashington

in general both confirm and validate General Colin Powell's decision to endorse Barack Obama as President of the United States. Colin Powell has the dignity and class that the Dick and all of his Rethugs will never have or understand. Although I understand that talking about them can be entertaining, they're really just not worth it.

[ Posted at 3:51 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Bit late for rehabilitation. I don't want to see - Guest-polecat170

Powell in any public role again.

[ Posted at 4:40 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Thank you - Guest-gantrants

Cheney is getting a lot of media coverage: http://www.newsy.com/videos/questioning_dick_cheney/ but @davidmizner I agree, Powell doesn't seem to have much of a backbone to me. He is an opportunist, taking advantage of his skin color whenever possible. When he could get ahead by finding a niche as a minority in Bush's administration he did. Then when it was beneficial to be black again he hopped on board with the Democrats. Opportunist plain and simple.

[ Posted at 3:53 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] What do I have to do to get these - Guest-Blogvirgin

Republicans off my television? I voted them out of office, but the media keeps imposing them on me! Enough!

If I could just have a 60 day Republican free period on my television I would be a happy person.

[ Posted at 3:59 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] I think Cheney's comment really showed people who - Guest-jennyL

thought the bullshit meme about Cheney doing this for the good of the country or he really believe in Torture versus the perfect soldier just showed how petty Cheney was and that this was all about Cheney. Remember the moderate Republicans still see Powell as a figure to look up to. Remember this is the party that worships the Military. And Powell fits this bill to a "T". He still has strong street creds with the majority of the American People. And him siding with Obama , just makes those who call him a Socialist look crazy - Would Powell support such a left wing Socialist? No - so Obama wins. so then Middle America has to ask itself who is the crazies on the fringe. If Powell says he's keeping the country safe, they side with Powell and not Cheney - Remember Cheney never wore a military uniform.(deferred 4 times) Powell - 4-stars.

[ Posted at 4:06 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] There is NO WAY that Powell didn't know - Guest-polecat799

about the horse manure he laid on the United Nations.

NO WAY.

Not plausible.

Not possible.

He might be trying to regain some credibility by comparison with those who no longer have any, but Powell is culpable.

[ Posted at 4:35 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] Let them fight it out mano a mano. - Guest-IrishJoe

The chickenhawk draft dodger vs. the veteran

[ Posted at 6:35 PM on 5/12/09 | Reply ]

[-] colin powel vs dick cheney - Guest-alberto

The cracks by Limbaugh and Cheney are good for a jolly good laugh...they both remind me of 'limp dick' always looking down, unable to 'come up' caaryy on, amigos, laughter, they say, is good for the soul!!!!

[ Posted at 2:41 PM on 5/21/09 | Reply ]