Dick Cheney On Bush-Era Spending: “I Think We Could Have Done A Better Job”

by Matt Schneider | 1:50 pm, February 6th, 2011

» 29 comments

During this weekend’s celebration of President Ronald Reagan‘s 100th Birthday, former Vice-President Dick Cheney participated in an interview where he was asked whether the Bush administration did enough to control government spending, and he admitted “I think we could have done a better job on spending.”

Cheney seemed willing to accept the fact that the Republican brand may have been tarnished because of so much federal spending; however, he attempted to justify it by suggesting that the war on terror required a lot of expensive activity to make sure the nation was kept safe. He also delivered a veiled jab at congressional Republicans of the time, seeming to suggest that when Republicans controlled Congress, it was hard for the Bush administration to veto a spending bill that came from his own party.

After reflecting on the past, Cheney turned to current affairs and concluded, “I’m glad to see that the Congress now, I believe the Republicans, appear to be serious about going after some of that spending.”

Watch the clip below from C-Span:

C-Span, Dick Cheney, government spending, Ronald Reagan

The Tea Weasel®

Wow. More brilliance.

What he really is saying is “who cares, we had a chance to go on a spending spree with someone else’s credit card…and we took it. Sue me.”
The Real Royal King

The Tea Weasel® said:
Wow. More brilliance. What he really is saying is “who cares, we had a chance to go on a spending spree with someone else’s credit card…and we took it. Sue me.”

Let’s face it, the Republicans have been the party of Borrow and Spend, Borrow and Spend, Borrow and Spend since Raygun took office and authored modern American deficit spending. Before Raygun, no president ever thought about tripling the deficit.
The Real Royal King

All the Marys in Heaven, Cheney is wearing more make-up than Palin did the night before!
The Lantern of Truth

The Real Royal King said:
All the Marys in Heaven, Cheney is wearing more make-up than Palin did the night before!

RRKING remarks . But less than I have on right now . And I’m not going out .
BR

RRK. If you talk bad about Cheney you are a racist.
Grammie

James Baker just gave an absolutely wonderful speech about Ronald Reagan.

It was a glowing tribute to a wonderful man and a great American.
tatboy

The Real Royal King said:
Let’s face it, the Republicans have been the party of Borrow and Spend, Borrow and Spend, Borrow and Spend since Raygun took office and authored modern American deficit spending. Before Raygun, no president ever thought about tripling the deficit.

And the Dems DON’T do that???
tatboy

The Real Royal King said:
All the Marys in Heaven, Cheney is wearing more make-up than Palin did the night before!

At least he didn’t go all Joe Biden or Chuck Shumer with the plugs…
WillP

That is laughable. I think “we could have done a better job.” Over three years after the worst recession since the one preceding the Great Depression these are thoughts you share Dick Cheney. I just wish you had such retrospection over the need to go to war in Iraq.
Pablo

I think so too, Dick.

Cheney seemed willing to accept the fact that the Republican brand may have been tarnished because of so much federal spending; however, he attempted to justify it by suggesting that the war on terror required a lot of expensive activity to make sure the nation was kept safe.

That doesn’t explain all that spending. That portion is justifiable, the rest is not and y’all didn’t cut anything.
BatBoy

Dick Cheney On Bush-Era Spending: “I Think We Could Have Done A Better Job”

I don’t think…I know they could have done a much better job!

I am pretty sure the White House is in a thither after hearing Jim Bakers keynote address today.
SilentSam

Oh just hurry up and croack already you old buzzard.
The Lantern of Truth

SilentSam said:
Oh just hurry up and croack already you old buzzard.

RRKING replies . You talkin’ to me ?
You talkin’ to me ?
Well , I’m the only one here .

Croak ….Creep .
lazzzlo

Cheney is looking unhealthy. He was never one of my favorite guys…he definitely was a fixer in the same mode as Lee Atwater…and he looks like he is knocking on death’s door.
Nacho

Satan is waiting for that soul he bought…
Davo

SilentSam said:
Oh just hurry up and croack already you old buzzard.

Now, ya’ gotta remember………………..every time you make a wish public like that, you have to also tell us how much nicer and more civil Liberals are than Conservatives.
Garth

I think someone ought to take this guys pulse.
lazzzlo

Nacho said:
Satan is waiting for that soul he bought…

Does that mean you believe in God?
lazzzlo

Davo said:
Now, ya’ gotta remember………………..every time you make a wish public like that, you have to also tell us how much nicer and more civil Liberals are than Conservatives.

Let’s be civil and respectful.
The Real Royal King

Grammie said:
James Baker just gave an absolutely wonderful speech about Ronald Reagan. It was a glowing tribute to a wonderful man and a great American.

Rather like the Good Humor Man extoling the virtues of popsicles.
The Real Royal King

tatboy said:
And the Dems DON’T do that???

What is remarkable about Raygun is that he created the model for deficit spending. Others “improved” upon it, to be sure.
Nacho

lazzzlo said:
Does that mean you believe in God?

If it means this guy burns in hell, Yes.
The Lantern of Truth

Nacho said:
If it means this guy burns in hell, Yes.

Why don’t you go wait for him there ?
Nacho

The Lantern of Truth said:
Why don’t you go wait for him there ?

I’m sure I have 57 virgins waiting for me where I’m going.
Nachi

Cheney needs badly to be put to sleep.
Larkinvos

Let’s not forget it was Cheney who said, “Reagan taught us
that deficits don’t matter.” Yeah, Dick. I think you could have
done a bit better.
jrcmi

“Dick Cheney On Bush-Era Spending: “I Think We Could Have Done A Better Job”

Translation: They could’ve started THREE illegal wars.
Glackin

“I think we could have done a better job”? WHAT! What about “Deficits don’t matter?” “Heck of a job, Brownie!” MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. The captain of the Titanic “Could have done a better job”, but he didn’t. And you didn’t. He went down with his ship. You jumped off as the financial icebergs loomed over the ship of state. You and your meat-puppet presboy did nada for the last six months of your regime. Now you’re counting on national revulsion at the thought of the trials to keep you free. Tell Georgie boy, both of you should stay stateside. International War Crimes are taken seriously across the pond.
LarryB

Before he dies, I only wish he would have to look into the faces of all the families who lost loved ones in a war he helped lie us into and explain to them why he felt it was worth the lives of all those brave Americans. But, at least he can rest assured that with all the money he made off the war, he will have a lavish funeral.