McCain full of praise for Cheney

LANSING, Mich. — He was many Democrats' fantasy pick to run on their ticket for vice president. But on Friday, maverick Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona stood with the man who, according to that scenario, he would have been competing against — and offered only kind words on everything from his policy record to his sex appeal.

Appearing in the capital of a state that McCain won in the 2000 Republican presidential primary, putting in doubt the candidacy of then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush, McCain heaped praise upon Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I'm very pleased — I'm very, very pleased — to have the honor of introducing a man I have known and admired for well over 20 years," McCain said, describing Cheney as "one of the most capable, experienced, intelligent and steady vice presidents this country has ever had."

"In short, my friends," McCain said, "Vice President Cheney is not just another pretty face."

He drew cheers from a sparse but enthusiastic crowd of partisans in a downtown convention center by describing the vice president as "very debonair."

Cheney happily piled on.

"Somebody said to me the other day that Sen. (John) Edwards got picked because he's sexy, good looking, charming," said the vice president. "I said, 'How do you think I got this job?' "

The running commentary on Cheney's appearance was apparently a reference to the contrasts that have been drawn between the low-key, 63-year-old Cheney and Edwards of North Carolina — the youthful, one-term senator tapped by presumed Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry for his ticket after McCain rejected the idea.

Democrats say they like the contrast with the sunnier Edwards, but Republicans say Cheney's experience trumps charisma.

Cheney used his appearance with McCain on Friday to open a new line of attack in the campaign. He invoked the legal fight over the Pledge of Allegiance, blaming activist federal judges of the sort he said Kerry and Edwards support for trying to eliminate the reference to God in the pledge.

"We believe that our nation is one nation under God, and that Americans ought to be able to say so," Cheney said, placing the pledge dispute on a list of issues that included abortion.

The theme underscored the challenge facing the GOP this year, wooing independents with figures such as McCain while striking a tone that will please the party's conservative base.