According to today’s

New York Daily News, the relationship between George Bush and Dick Cheney is
very bad.

WASHINGTON – The CIA leak scandal has peeled back the veil on the most
closely held White House secret of all: the subtle but unmistakable erosion
in the bond between President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Multiple
sources close to Bush told the Daily News that while the vice president
remains his boss’ valued political partner and counselor, his clout has
lessened – primarily as a result of issues arising from the Iraq war.

“The relationship is not what it was,” a presidential counselor said.
“There has been some distance for some time.”

A senior administration official termed any such suggestion
“categorically false.”

Several sources said the distance is certain to accelerate with the Oct.
28 indictment of Lewis (Scooter) Libby, Cheney’s former chief of staff and
geopolitical soul mate.

“Cheney is wounded by this,” a longtime Bush associate said.

Outwardly, there is little to suggest anything is amiss. Cheney, wife
Lynne and their two daughters were guests, for example, at last week’s
A-list Bush dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Earlier this year, Bush praised Cheney at a GOP campaign dinner as a
“steady adviser, the solid rock – and what a decent man he is. I’m proud to
be serving with him for four more years.”

Article continues

here.

Perhaps this explains why the President was out yesterday telling people that
“The United States does not torture it’s prisoners” while Cheney is working hard
at allowing CIA exemptions from the torture bill. To anyone who even vaguely
follows the news out of the White House, there are constant signs of a lack of
communication between the President and vice-President. One always says one
thing and the other says something that is totally opposite.

Perhaps this is just another indicator that we may be looking at a new
vice-President in the near future. The question still remains as to who that
would be but it will make for an interesting confirmation hearing.