Go Ahead Punk, Make My Day
Just in case there was any doubt left about Vice President Cheney’s love for the press, here’s yesterday’s White House pool report from Fort Drum, New York:
This from the Washington Times’ Bill Sammon:
“Mr. Cheney explained he was there to have a dialogue with the troops. He promised that within about a minute he would ‘kick the press out so nobody’s intimidated by the presence of the cameras.’ After making good on his promise, the vice president cracked: ‘It always makes my day.’ The soldiers laughed heartily as the reporters slunk away.”
Full pool report after the jump.
Pool Report
Cheney trip to Fort Drum, N.Y.
Dec. 6, 2005
Air Force Two departed Andrews Air Force Base at 10:20 a.m. for a flight that lasted exactly one hour. Upon arrival at the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Drum, Vice President Dick Cheney was met by Maj. Gen. Ben Freakley, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division; Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, commanding general of the 42nd Infantry Division; Sgt. Maj. Ralph Borja of the 10th Mountain; and Sgt. Maj. Richard Fernside of the 42nd.
The vice president and Second Lady Lynne Cheney then entered an aviation hangar packed with 3,000 uniformed soldiers and family members. The place erupted in enthusiastic applause and shouts of “hoo-ah,” the military’s all-purpose expression of approval. The vice president wore his usual dark suit, while Mrs. Cheney wore a brilliant red jacket over black slacks. Just in front of the stage stood two 105 mm howitzers, pointed outward at 45 degree angles.
After the speech, Mr. Cheney gave Purple Heart citations to 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Moore and Pfc. Marcos Maldomodo, both of whom sustained burns to the face and other injuries in a Baghdad explosion on Sept. 14. In a separate incident three days earlier, Sgt. Moore suffered temporary hearing loss from an explosion in Baghdad. One at a time, the men came up on stage, snapped the vice president a salute and stood at attention while the citations were read by an announcer. Then they stepped forward and Mr. Cheney pinned the medals on their chests.
At this point, a platoon of 20 soldiers form the 10th Mountain stepped forward in unison, turning in formation toward the vice president. Dressed in green camouflage fatigues and black boots, they saluted Mr. Cheney, who returned to the lectern and administered the ceremonial oath of re-enlistment to the group, which included blacks and whites, men and women.
A bit later, the vice president met privately with about three dozen members of the 42nd Infantry who recently returned from Iraq. They were clad in desert fatigues and tan boots. Also present were about 10 spouses. The group was gathered around a large conference table and a short riser off to one side. Everyone stood when Mr. Cheney walked in, then sat back down when he said, “at ease, please.” Gen. Taluto made a short opening statement and then Mr. Cheney explained he was there to have a dialogue with the troops. He promised that within about a minute he would “kick the press out so nobody’s intimidated by the presence of the cameras.” After making good on his promise, the vice president cracked: “It always makes my day.” The soldiers laughed heartily as the reporters slunk away.
Snow was falling pretty heavily as the Cheneys reboarded Air Force Two. Takeoff was delayed for a few minutes while a crew de-iced the plane. Wheels up at 1:49, down at 2:51.
Bill Sammon
The Washington Times
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