Dick Cheney's memoir: Full of 'cheap shots'?
Colin Powell accuses the former vice president of trashing his Bush administration colleagues to sell more books

This week, former Secretary of State Colin Powell blasted Dick Cheney for taking "cheap shots" at other members of the Bush administration in his new memoir, In My Time. Powell charged that Cheney was just trying to boost book sales, and said it was "nonsense" for the former vice president to accuse Powell of criticizing George W. Bush's policies to people outside the administration. He also said Cheney's criticism of Powell's successor, Condoleezza Rice, was "almost condescending." Does Powell have a legitimate complaint?
Yes. Cheney's book is just mean: Powell "stopped just short of calling [Cheney] a liar," says Jamie Stiehm at U.S. News & World Report. Remember, Cheney let Powell "play the fool in front of the United Nations," attempting to justify the Iraq War with false claims about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction. Then Cheney persuaded Bush to "dump Powell after one term, for not being a team player." And now Cheney's belittling Powell in his book? Talk about a "sore winner."
"Dick Cheney's memoir the saddest story of our time"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hold on. Powell is the one taking cheap shots: Powell is no doubt peeved that Cheney lays blame for the Valerie Plame affair, which led to a conviction for Cheney aide Scooter Libby, on Powell deputy Richard Armitage, says Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post. "But on this one Cheney has him dead to rights." Powell sat "stone silent" at Bush's side while the president said he didn't know who had outed Plame as a CIA operative, even though Powell knew the information came from Armitage. "Not very loyal or honest, was it?"
These two have been feuding for years: Cheney and Powell "have had a rocky relationship for decades," says Yochi J. Dreazen at The Atlantic. During the first Gulf War, Cheney (then Defense secretary) accused Powell (then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) of constantly upstaging him. The tensions only grew as Powell countered Cheney's arguments for invading Iraq under George W. Bush. No matter who wins this round, it's clear the members of the Bush team will "continue to publicly relitigate decisions" they made years ago.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How will Trump's spending bill impact student loans?
the explainer Here's what the Republicans' domestic policy bill means for current and former students
-
Can the US economy survive Trump's copper tariffs?
Today's Big Question The price hike 'could upend' the costs of cars, houses and appliances
-
Film reviews: Superman and Sorry, Baby
Feature A hero returns, in surprising earnest, and a woman navigates life after a tragedy
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?