Josh Marshall speculates on the reasons for it:
The first -- and most generous -- explanation is that this is simply another way to further dilute the Commission's ability to ask questions.
If, say, the meeting lasts three hours, that's three hours to ask questions of both of them rather than three hours to ask questions of each -- as might be the case in separate meetings.
That wouldn't be any great coup for the White House. But it would be one more impediment to throw in front of the Commission's work, which would probably be a source of some joy for the White House.
From here the possible explanations go down hill -- in every respect -- pretty quickly.
Explanation number two would be that this is a fairly elementary -- and, one imagines, pretty effective -- way to keep the two of them from giving contradictory answers to the Commission's questions. It helps them keep their stories straight.
...
The third explanation is that the White House does not trust the president to be alone with the Commission members for any great length of time without getting himself into trouble, either by contradicting what his staff says, or getting some key point wrong, or letting some key fact slip. And Cheney's there to make sure nothing goes wrong.
If, say, the meeting lasts three hours, that's three hours to ask questions of both of them rather than three hours to ask questions of each -- as might be the case in separate meetings.
That wouldn't be any great coup for the White House. But it would be one more impediment to throw in front of the Commission's work, which would probably be a source of some joy for the White House.
From here the possible explanations go down hill -- in every respect -- pretty quickly.
Explanation number two would be that this is a fairly elementary -- and, one imagines, pretty effective -- way to keep the two of them from giving contradictory answers to the Commission's questions. It helps them keep their stories straight.
...
The third explanation is that the White House does not trust the president to be alone with the Commission members for any great length of time without getting himself into trouble, either by contradicting what his staff says, or getting some key point wrong, or letting some key fact slip. And Cheney's there to make sure nothing goes wrong.
And Billmon writes a script to present his view.
A commenter at Billmon's Whiskey Bar:
What is with this Howdy Doody shit? I want to see Cheney take a sip of water while Bush is talking. How humilitating this must be for our boy president. Will they have two chairs or is Jr going to sit on Cheney's lap?
And another, obviously still thinking:
I thought they were not supposed to be in the same place together, as a precaution against a terrorist attack. That's why they keep Cheney chained up in a cave unless Bush is off clearing brush. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I read that Bush was "on vacation" 43% of the time between January and 9/11.
I hadn't even thought of that. The two in the same place deal. Ooooooh...I bet the security at that event is gonna cost us.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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