The CEO Vice-President

In one of two fawning interviews on the radio shows of Fox News goons Sean Hannity and Tony Snow, Dick Cheney had this exchange with Hannity:

Q We're almost out of time. You had this incident with your health the other day. You want to comment on that? And have you totally ruled out a run for the presidency in '08?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: .... And with respect to my intentions, once I finish this tour as George Bush's Vice President, I plan to hang it up, Sean. I've spent the better part of the last 40 years in public service, and I think that's probably about enough.

Cheney's official bio says:

His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.

Since 1969 + 40 = 2009, Cheney's statement to Hannity only makes sense if his spell (1995-2000) as CEO of Halliburton corporation is counted as "public service."

Indeed, Cheney once understood the distinction, as revealed in the 2000 debate with Joe Lieberman:

LIEBERMAN: Dick Cheney must be one of the few people who think nothing has been accomplished in the last eight years ... I think if you asked most people in America today that famous question that Ronald Reagan asked, "Are you better off today than you were eight years ago?" Most people would say yes. I'm pleased to see, Dick, from the newspapers that you're better off than you were eight years ago, too.

CHENEY: I can tell you, Joe, the government had absolutely nothing to do with it. (LAUGHTER) (APPLAUSE)

But 9/11 changed everything.