V.P. Dick Cheney on Swift Boat Ads

Aug. 30, 2004 -- As the Republican National Convention kicked off in New York, Vice President Dick Cheney talked to ABC News' Claire Shipman about the latest controversy swirling around both the Bush and Kerry campaigns.

Shipman asked Cheney about the swift boat commercials, a controversial series of ads that prompted a blame game between the parties that's lasted for weeks.

The ads, from a group calling itself "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," attack John Kerry's Vietnam record, saying he doesn't deserve his medals and shouldn't be commander-in-chief.

While Cheney said he believes all third party ads should be banned during campaigns, the Vice President says he's never even seen the commercials that caused all the controversy.

Read excerpts from the unedited transcript of the interview that appeared on ABC News' Good Morning America below.

CHENEY: Claire, we have nothing to do with those commercials [swift boat ads] doesn't involve our campaign in any way shape or form.

SHIPMAN: But do you think those particular ads are wrong?

CHENEY: I haven't even looked at those ads frankly claire if i spent my time looking at all the ads in the campaign commercials on both sides it would take up all my time I wouldn't get anything done.

SHIPMAN: Some of the things people say about you — not all of them your enemies — "The Evil Genius, Darth Vader, Architect of War, Mr. Doom" and "Gloom." Some days it certainly seems as though everything that's negative or controversial about the administration gets put at your feet. Does that bug you?

CHENEY: No.

SHIPMAN: I know it's a Western thing not to say anymore, but why?