Cheney: Iraq statements 'accurate and reflect reality'

My guess is that the White House is really walking the line these days, especially with Iraq. There's a point where macho posturing and Soviet-style spin starts looking silly to everyone. And hearing Dick Cheney attempt to justify his earlier statements in Iraq-- from 'last throes of the insurgency' to the countless times we've 'turned a corner' to the alleged successes in forming a democracy-- I can't help but think they're perilously close to reaching that point.

SCHIEFFER: Mr. Vice President, all along the government has been very optimistic. You remain optimistic. But I remember when you were saying we'd be greeted as liberators, you played down the insurgency ten months ago. You said it was in its last throes. Do you believe that these optimistic statements may be one of the reasons that people seem to be more skeptical in this country about whether we ought to be in Iraq?

CHENEY: No, I think it has less to do with the statements we've made, which I think were basically accurate and reflect reality, than it does the fact that there is a constant sort of perception if you will that's created because what is newsworthy is the carbomb in Baghdad, it’s not all the work that went on that day in 15 other provinces in terms of making progress in rebuilding Iraq.