“At 11:04:45 AM ET Monday CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney’s speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington — when a large black ‘X’ repeatedly flashed over the vice president’s face!,” Drudge explains.

Appearing on Hannity & Colmes, Drudge said the X’s appeared for “less than a 15th of a second” each. “It was almost subliminal,” he said. “However, when you slow down the tape you see Dick Cheney’s face with a large X on it.” “I think they’ve gotta give an explanation,” Drudge added.

The same minute Drudge spoke on FNC, CNN DID give an explanation. Responding to TVNewser’s request for comment this evening, a CNN spokesperson explained: “Upon seeing this unfortunate but very brief graphic, CNN senior management immediately investigated. We concluded this was a technological malfunction not an issue of operator error. A portion of the switcher experienced a momentary glitch. We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated.” (Statement updated, 10:37pm.)

Alan Colmes read CNN’s response on the air at the end of H&C, citing TVNewser. But Drudge wasn’t satisfied.

“It glitched over and over again, eh?,” he asked. “The timing of the glitch is interesting…”

> Update: 10:27pm: The FReepers are loving this. “I’ll concede the mistake part but I refuse to yield on the stupid aspect,” one says.

> Update: 10:33pm: “Why did this happen only DURING Cheney speaking, and not immediately before or after his speech? Coincidence?,” an e-mailer asks…