Whoopsies.... ^_^
Cheney Curses at Sen. Leahy
Thursday, June 24, 2004
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney (search) cursed at Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy during a confrontation on the Senate floor while members were having their annual group picture taken earlier this week, Leahy and Senate sources said Thursday.
Senate aides with knowledge of the encounter Tuesday said the vice president confronted Leahy about some of the Democrat's criticism about alleged improprieties in Iraq military contracts awarded to Halliburton Co. Cheney, who as vice president is president of the Senate, is a former CEO of Halliburton (search).
Leahy responded by criticizing the White House for standing by allies who had accused Democrats of being anti-Catholic last year in opposing one of President Bush's judicial nominees, said one Senate aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Cheney then responded, "F-- off" or "F-- you," the aide said.
That account was backed by another aide, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
Leahy, D-Vt., confirmed that the confrontation took place but would not provide details.
"I think he was just having a bad day," Leahy said. "I was kind of shocked to hear that kind of language on the floor."
Cheney's office also wouldn't go into detail, but confirmed the two men traded remarks.
"That doesn't sound like language that the vice president would use, but there was a frank exchange of views," said Kevin Kellems, a spokesman for Cheney.
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Cheney Unapologetic for Curse at Senator
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney (search) was unapologetic Friday about the salty language he used in a conversation with Sen. Patrick Leahy (search) earlier this week on the Senate floor, which erupted when Cheney dressed down Leahy for the senator's harsh criticism of government contracts with Halliburton.
Halliburton (search) is the energy services company that Cheney led before running for vice president. It has been caught in a series of investigations related to its overcharging the government for services.
Leahy had suggested that the vice president had intervened in order to direct government contracts to Halliburton for Iraq (search) reconstruction projects.
Cheney, who confronted Leahy on the Senate floor on Tuesday about the accusations, told FOX News on Friday that he's not sorry for dropping an expletive frequently reserved for only the angriest of exchanges.
"I expressed myself rather forcefully. I felt better after I did it," Cheney told Neil Cavuto.
When pressed on whether the vice president had actually dropped the F-bomb on the Vermont lawmaker, Cheney responded: "That's not the kind of language I usually use."
Members of Leahy's staff and several other senators overheard the exchange, according to Senate sources. Cheney said he was most upset by what he described as Leahy's counterfeit charm after having made attacks on his integrity.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney (search) cursed at Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy during a confrontation on the Senate floor while members were having their annual group picture taken earlier this week, Leahy and Senate sources said Thursday.
Senate aides with knowledge of the encounter Tuesday said the vice president confronted Leahy about some of the Democrat's criticism about alleged improprieties in Iraq military contracts awarded to Halliburton Co. Cheney, who as vice president is president of the Senate, is a former CEO of Halliburton (search).
Leahy responded by criticizing the White House for standing by allies who had accused Democrats of being anti-Catholic last year in opposing one of President Bush's judicial nominees, said one Senate aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Cheney then responded, "F-- off" or "F-- you," the aide said.
That account was backed by another aide, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
Leahy, D-Vt., confirmed that the confrontation took place but would not provide details.
"I think he was just having a bad day," Leahy said. "I was kind of shocked to hear that kind of language on the floor."
Cheney's office also wouldn't go into detail, but confirmed the two men traded remarks.
"That doesn't sound like language that the vice president would use, but there was a frank exchange of views," said Kevin Kellems, a spokesman for Cheney.
*~@~*
Cheney Unapologetic for Curse at Senator
WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney (search) was unapologetic Friday about the salty language he used in a conversation with Sen. Patrick Leahy (search) earlier this week on the Senate floor, which erupted when Cheney dressed down Leahy for the senator's harsh criticism of government contracts with Halliburton.
Halliburton (search) is the energy services company that Cheney led before running for vice president. It has been caught in a series of investigations related to its overcharging the government for services.
Leahy had suggested that the vice president had intervened in order to direct government contracts to Halliburton for Iraq (search) reconstruction projects.
Cheney, who confronted Leahy on the Senate floor on Tuesday about the accusations, told FOX News on Friday that he's not sorry for dropping an expletive frequently reserved for only the angriest of exchanges.
"I expressed myself rather forcefully. I felt better after I did it," Cheney told Neil Cavuto.
When pressed on whether the vice president had actually dropped the F-bomb on the Vermont lawmaker, Cheney responded: "That's not the kind of language I usually use."
Members of Leahy's staff and several other senators overheard the exchange, according to Senate sources. Cheney said he was most upset by what he described as Leahy's counterfeit charm after having made attacks on his integrity.