Dick Cheney: Sarah Palin VP Pick Was ‘Mistake’

According to former Vice President Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin was “a mistake” to pick for running mate. Considering that Cheney is also offering VP advice to Mitt Romney, it’s safe to say that Palin is probably not on the list.

The Los Angeles Times reports that in Cheney’s first interview since undergoing a heart transplant in March, he stated:

“I like Gov. Palin. I’ve met her. I know her. She’s an attractive candidate. But based on her background, she’d only been governor for, what, two years? I don’t think she passed that test … of being ready to take over. And I think that was a mistake.”

Cheney, who spoke with Jonathan Karl, served as vice president for President George W. Bush’s eight-year administration, and also advised President Gerald Ford on his running mate selection.

Dick Cheney explained that, on the criteria of the candidate being capable of assuming the presidency, should anything happen, McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin was very poor. The Huffington Post notes that Dick Cheney stated:

“That one, I don’t think, was well-handled. The test to get on that small list has to be, ‘Is this person capable of being president of the United States?'”

Cheney was also able to provide insight into the political gamesmanship behind the VP vetting process. He noted that, while helping both Presidents Ford and Bush with their VP selection, Cheney was called occasionally to ask if he would tell the press they were on a list of potential vice presidential candidates.

Why? Because being on the elusive list of possible VP candidates would help them do better in other competitive races. Occasionally, Cheney would agree, but stated, “But that was the big list. It was easy to get on the big list.” The second, shorter list, however, contains those who are actually being considered for the candidate’s running mate.

What do you think of the admission by Dick Cheney that Sarah Palin was “a mistake” in the 2008 Presidential election?