NEW YORK, Sept. 2--Vice President Cheney picked up his mocking attack against Democratic nominee John F. Kerry on Thursday morning, telling Ohio delegates that President Bush was a decisive commander-in-chief who will press "full-steam ahead" in the war on terror.
"He doesn't waffle, he doesn't agonize over it," Cheney said at a breakfast meeting following his nationally televised speech to the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. "It's exactly what we need under the circumstances. We don't need indecision, or confusion, or somebody who's not quite certain exactly where they stand, or what they believe."
Cheney, who used his address to argue that Kerry has demonstrated in his public life for decades that he is unfit to lead the nation, said he spoke with Bush Thursday morning as he prepared to accept his party's nomination later in the day. "Greetings from our Commander-in-Chief," said Cheney, who appeared relaxed and upbeat. "He'll be ready. I think we're going to have a great evening."
Cheney fired up Ohio delegates for the final 61 days of the campaign, mindful that no Republican has been elected president without winning the state, which polls show to be a dead heat. The vice president was introduced by Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who was Cheney's sparring partner when he prepared for the 2000 vice presidential debate and is back in that role again this year, standing in for Kerry's Democratic running mate, Sen. John Edwards (N.C.).
"I'm superstitious. . . . I wanted to make sure he was back and I'd have the same quality preparation this time around," Cheney said, after joking with Ohioans, "I have trouble thinking of Rob as Rob. . . . He is Senator John Edwards!"
Portman interjected, "I'm a lot prettier."
Cheney will make campaign stops in Pendleton, Ore., Las Vegas, and Roswell, N.M., after the convention closes before returning to Washington Saturday night.
