Cheney Says Palin Can Handle Job as Potential Vice President

By Roger Runningen

Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney says he has no misgivings about whether Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin can handle the job.

``Each administration's different and there's no reason why Sarah Palin can't be a successful vice president'' in a John McCain administration, said Cheney, who spoke with reporters today at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Rome. ``I think she's a good candidate.''

Palin, 44, is seeking to dispel questions about her qualifications as a former small-town mayor and governor of Alaska less than halfway through her first term. Palin is the second woman ever nominated for vice president by a major political party; the Democrats chose Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.

``I thought her appearance at the convention was superb, watched that with great interest,'' Cheney said of Palin. He said he ``loved some of her lines,'' citing the question, ``What was the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.''

The vice president is in Rome to meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano today and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi tomorrow. He is wrapping up a trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine to assess conditions after the five-day war between Russia and Georgia, and to consider further steps by the U.S.

Cheney, 67, returns to Washington Sept. 10, and plans to report his finding to President George W. Bush.

To contact the writer on this story: Roger Runningen in Rome, Italy, at rrunningen@bloommberg.net .

Last Updated: September 8, 2008 06:10 EDT

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