Cheney "interested in Gov. Palin" for 2012 presidential bid

The former Vice President dodges 2012 GOP presidential speculation.. sort of

By Associated Press

Published January 18, 2011 1:34PM (EST)

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2008 file photo, Vice President Dick Cheney, left, looks over to President George W. Bush, after the president received an update on Hurricane Ike and relief efforts on energy matters from members of the Cabinet, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. George W. Bush knows that history will shape his legacy more than anything he can say. But that's not gonna stop a guy from trying. After two years of near silence, Bush is back. With his new memoir and a promotion tour, the president who in cockier times could not think of a single mistake he had made, lists many. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) (AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2008 file photo, Vice President Dick Cheney, left, looks over to President George W. Bush, after the president received an update on Hurricane Ike and relief efforts on energy matters from members of the Cabinet, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. George W. Bush knows that history will shape his legacy more than anything he can say. But that's not gonna stop a guy from trying. After two years of near silence, Bush is back. With his new memoir and a promotion tour, the president who in cockier times could not think of a single mistake he had made, lists many. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) (AP)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is declining to say who's out front in the 2012 Republican presidential sweepstakes, but says he'll be happy to participate in the process.

Cheney sidestepped a chance to handicap former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's prospects, telling NBC "I'm interested in Gov. Palin. A lot of people are."

Cheney says she "has a strong following," although she has critics as well. He says he watches Palin's reality TV show about Alaska and thinks that "it's very good."

Cheney also confirms in the interview that he and President George W. Bush discussed the possibility he be dropped from Bush's ticket when Bush sought re-election in 2004, but decided against it. Cheney says he offered to step aside because some considered him the "Darth Vader" of the administration.


By Associated Press

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