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Holder: 'Part Of Me' Doesn't Believe Cheney Believes His Criticism Of Us
Justin Elliott | December 21, 2009, 2:14PM
Attorney General Eric Holder and Dick Cheney
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Asked by Newsweek how he feels about the unrelenting stream of barbs from Dick Cheney, Attorney General Eric Holder told the magazine, "There's a part of me that doesn't really believe that he believes what he's saying."
In the new interview, Holder also says he doesn't understand Cheney's criticism, seeming to suggest that the former vice president is more supportive of the Obama Administration's policies than he will admit publicly.
Cheney recently slammed Obama's bow before the emperor of Japan as "fundamentally harmful," and called out the administration for projecting "weakness."
He said in August that the approach of the administration -- led by Holder's Justice Department -- on investigating CIA interrogations "offends the hell out of me."
Here's Holder's full exchange with Newsweek:
How do you feel--how do you react, personally--when you see the former vice president going on about how this administration is not keeping the American people safe, or has abandoned important policies? Are you dismissive of it? Does it tick you off?I frankly don't understand it. There's a part of me that doesn't really believe that he believes what he's saying.
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Dizzy Izzy
December 21, 2009 3:11 PM
I think what Cheney is doing is setting it up so that if Holder goes after him and Bush for war crimes he can declare it a political witch hunt - retribution for his mealy-mouthed criticism.
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tweakyd
December 21, 2009 3:12 PM
Wow, now that's a strong & tough response.
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Clavis
December 21, 2009 3:15 PM
Holder is properly following the party line: if you're a Republican, you take every opportunity to ruthlessly assume the worst about Democrats and liberals, including accusing them openly of wanting to destroy all our freedoms and take down the country. If, on the other hand, you're a Democrat, you waffle and qualify and make even-handed comments where you offer the most generous possible interpretation of the Republican attacks about which you're being asked to respond.
Republican: "My liberal opponent want to eat babies!"
Democrat: "I'm sure my respectable opponent doesn't mean that."
Republican: "I do! You want to eat babies *and* murder my grandma!"
Democrat: "I think the important thing is to find a way to work together."
Republican: "I'll never work with you -- you give sexual favors to terrorists!"
Democrat: "Now, listen, I think my Republican opponent and I agree on a lot of issues; we just have different ideas as to how to get there."
And so on... funny how the only people who benefit from this kind of merry-go-round are corporate CEOs...
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hollywood
December 21, 2009 5:23 PM in reply to Clavis
Your point is well taken. I wonder about this a lot. If the Dems went crazy batshit in their rhetoric I would LOVE it because the Reptiles so have it coming, but, I think the quality of the Dems that wants to have a civil discussion about important things is actually the glue that holds this country together. God knows the Reptiles never hesitate to lie or smear someone but if that becomes the new normal for everyone I think we have chaos on our hands.
I do love me some Alan Grayson quotes now and then however!
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sweet spot
December 21, 2009 9:54 PM in reply to Clavis
You're missing an important point:
The radical right is (like any radical group) close-minded about its belief system. Believers assume that anyone who doesn't agree with them is WRONG.
Liberals, on the other hand, recognize that there can be many perspectives on any given idea and often have a hard time recognizing or understanding the close-mindedness of radical believers.
There are, of course, radicals on the left as well, and we've seen a lot of their attacks in the past couple of weeks, but they don't seem to have the sheer volume of the right. Maybe they just haven't had enough practice....
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Backcountry
December 22, 2009 1:49 AM in reply to sweet spot
That pretty much puts it as well as I've ever seen it. And I do think among liberals there's a failure to see the radical right-wing problem for what it is.
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brianm0122
December 21, 2009 5:22 PM
He is correct. Cheney holds no beliefs or convictions at all. No morals, no ethics, just a cynical amoral hack willing to say anything for personal gain.
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Chris Brown
December 21, 2009 9:35 PM in reply to brianm0122
He is correct. Cheney holds no beliefs or convictions at all. No morals, no ethics, just a cynical amoral hack willing to say anything for personal gain.
What you have described, brianm, is a psychopath; and I think you're right.
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Snertly
December 21, 2009 5:37 PM
Perhaps Mr Holder should invite Mr Cheney for a return visit considering the number of opportunities, some with subpoenas attached, which the former VP had declined during his tenure.
I think there should be some contempt of congress charges floating around out there for Mr Cheney and Mr Rove.
Considering that Mr Cheney and Mr Rove seem much more talkative now than when they held their respective offices, they should come out and play, as it were.
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breakspear
December 21, 2009 6:04 PM
Alan Grayson said it best, about Cheney: "STFU" on the Matthews show last week or so. I agree with that. And that goes for his little familiar, Liz. she's such a tool.
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Dave Adams
December 22, 2009 12:07 AM
I think what the Obama Administration is doing is to make the debate between Cheney and their proxies. This lessens Cheney. He has to respond to criticism form Holder and Grayson. Meanwhile Obama and Biden for the most part ignore him.
Overall I think its a good strategy for Obama as far as Cheney is concerned and it seems to be working.
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par4
December 22, 2009 8:09 AM
Holder belongs in prison next to Bush/Cheney for not prosecuting torture.
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SaintGenesius
December 22, 2009 8:39 AM
Cheney is great, he along with Palin and Limbaugh and Beck and Steels and McConnell and Pawlenty and all the other right wing nutjobs will ensure Democratic majorities for a long time. Maybe Holder is just encouraging Cheney to more madness.
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Darter Dave
December 23, 2009 10:37 AM
Bah Humbug!
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