Depends on Your Definition of 'Throes'

So sayeth the Cheney...

THEN: On the insurgency against US troops and the fledgling Iraqi government: "...I think they're in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency." - CNN, Interview by Larry King, June 20, 2005.

NOW: "..."I don't think anybody anticipated the level of violence that we've encountered." - Statement to National Press Club, June 20, 2006.

As the Wash Post media writer says about Cheney's statement yesterday to the National Press Club:

"But the difficulty here is that Cheney is subtly qualifying his remarks. He still believes in the last throes, but contends that nobody anticipated this level of violence, which is Beltway-speak for we didn't anticipate this level of violence."

Of course, in my book, Cheney's "I don't think anybody anticipated..." defense flies in the face of another Cheney nugget of wisdom, this one pre-war: "...my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators." - "Meet the Press," March 16, 2003.

So when will his credibility to make these kinds of statements finally and truly be questioned????

Five For Friday: Cheneyvision Edition [Jonworld]
Cheney Stands by His 'Last Throes' Remark [Washington Post]
Media Notes: Fact-Checking the Veep [Wash Post]