Bush Has No Doubts About Cheney

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2006 — -- Despite an early morning health scare, President Bush has no doubts about whether Vice President Dick Cheney can continue to serve.

Bush spoke with Cheney from the Oval Office around 8 a.m. today, half an hour after Cheney was released from George Washington University Hospital, where he sought treatment after experiencing shortness of breath.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the president was not awakened when Cheney went to the hospital around 3 a.m. The president learned about the vice president's health troubles while heading to the Oval Office before a morning breakfast.

When asked whether Bush doubts the vice president can serve another three years, McClellan responded, sharply "Nope."

He went on to describe Cheney as "an important member of the team."

Lynne Cheney was with her husband when he was rushed to the hospital, according to his spokeswoman, Lee Anne McBride.

McBride said doctors determined the vice president was retaining fluid from a new anti-inflammatory medication he was taking to treat an old foot injury. The doctors prescribed new medication and Cheney left the hospital at 7:30 a.m., more than four hours after he arrived.

ABC News' Medical Editor Dr. Tim Johnson said it was "somewhat unusual" for Cheney's symptoms to result from anti-inflammatory medicine alone, although "it can happen."

The vice president was walking with a cane last week because of the foot injury.

Cheney has long suffered from heart ailments, including four heart attacks, his first, in 1978.

McBride said doctors conducted an EKG this morning and it was "unchanged," suggesting the hospitalization was unrelated to heart troubles. As recently as last Sept. 24, Cheney underwent surgery for arterial aneurysms behind both knees. In 2001, he was fitted with a special pacemaker.