the national interest

The 2000 Cheney-Rove Creep-Off

COLLEGE STATION, TX - JANUARY 20: Former Defense Secretary and 46th Vice President Dick Cheney attends an event honoring the 20th anniversary of the Persian Gulf War on January 20, 2011 in College Station Texas. The Gulf War was waged against Iraq from August 1990 to February 1991 during President George H. W. Bush's administration. (Photo by Ben Sklar/Getty Images)
Welcome to my office, Mr. Rove. I’ve been expecting you. Photo: Ben Sklar/2011 Getty Images

In Wall Street Journal today, Karl Rove describes his involvement in George W. Bush’s 2000 vice-presidential search. Rove, of course, had been Bush’s Svengali all along. But Bush had slowly come under the sway of Dick Cheney after having appointed him to lead his vice-presidential search, and then suddenly Cheney was In The Room:

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This was brought home to me in 2000, when then-Gov. George W. Bush was strongly leaning toward picking Dick Cheney as his VP. He knew I was opposed and invited me to make the case against his idea. I came to our meeting armed with eight political objections. Mr. Bush heard me out but with a twist: I explained my objections with Mr. Cheney sitting, mute and expressionless, next to the governor.

It must have been chilling. Or, at least, it would have been if Rove had warm blood.

It must have been chilling. Or, at least, it would have been if Rove had warm blood.

The 2000 Cheney-Rove Creep-Off