Cheney dodges 2012 GOP presidential speculation

[January 18, 2011]  WASHINGTON (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.

[Associated Press]

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