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Cheney Book Offers Rare Bits of Candor

Secretive VP admits missteps, displays humor in new bio

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Jul 23, 2007 5:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Dick Cheney makes jokes about his own penchant for secrecy in a new biography due out tomorrow by journalist Stephen Hayes, Raw Story reports. The veep makes a rare admission of error, confessing to Hayes that the appointment of the Coalition Provisional Authority in the early stages of the war, rather than a provisional government of Iraqis, might have been a mistake.

Hayes, who spent 30 hours with his subject, writes that Cheney once called the vice presidency a "cruddy job" before he become the most influential VP in modern American politics, Reuters notes. And there are even a few embarrassing anecdotes in the generally sympathetic tome, such as the time he confused Jessica Simpson and Jessica Lynch, adds Politico.

Vice President Dick Cheney addresses the National Association of Manufacturers breakfast in Washington in this, Feb. 14, 2007, file photo. Cheney, who thrives on secrecy while pulling the levers of power,... (Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at Dobbins Air Reserve Base to speak at a fundraiser for Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Monday, July 16, 2007, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis) (Associated Press)

President Bush, left, gestures, as Vice President Dick Cheney, center, reads his notes and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, listens as they participates in a video teleconference with Iraq... (Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney participates in a video teleconference with Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders, Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders, and Brigade Combat Commanders, Friday,... (Associated Press)

*Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush stand in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in this Nov. 9, 2006, file photo. The Senate subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick... (Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney leaves a Republican Senate luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Associated Press)

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Cheney Book Offers Rare Bits of Candor

Secretive VP admits missteps, displays humor in new bio

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