Vice President Cheney Unhinged on Senate Floor

Mounting criticisms of war profiteering by Halliburton have apparently struck a chord with Vice President Cheney. At an otherwise congenial photo session earlier this week, the vice president lashed out at Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for his pursuit of the matter, in addition to discussions about judicial nominees, bluntly telling Leahy, "F--- yourself," according to aides who witnessed the exchange. Leahy and others are investigating charges that Halliburton overcharged the U.S. government millions of dollars for Iraq services and may have received improper assistance in winning contracts. Cheney's office confirmed the vice president's coarse phrasing but offered no apologies or explanation for his untoward behavior.

• Rather than cursing out lawmakers, Cheney should explain to Congress his involvement with no-bid contracts for Halliburton. We now know the vice president's chief of staff received a Pentagon briefing in October 2002, one month prior to directing Halliburton to develop a secret plan for restoring and operating Iraq's oil infrastructure. The vice president's office was also made aware of a second sole-source contract worth up to $7 billion awarded to Halliburton four months later for implementing this plan.
• The administration must come clean about any remaining contacts or involvement with Halliburton. The repeated assertion by Cheney that he was not informed about the Halliburton contracts is disingenuous. The full extent of the vice president's contacts and arrangements with the Pentagon on any matters dealing with Halliburton contracts should be fully disclosed.
• Cheney should apologize to Americans for sullying the U.S. Senate. During the 2000 campaign, Cheney said he wanted "to change the tone in Washington, to restore a spirit of civility and respect and cooperation," and that he was "absolutely determined [to] restore a tone of civility and decency to the debate in Washington." The vice president should live up to these promises and restrain himself in public discourse.

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