He is to the vice president what the vice president is to the president.
I have been describing him as Cheney's Cheney. He does for the vice president what the vice president does for the president.
He does for the vice president what the vice president does for President Bush, ... a power center unto himself, and accordingly, a force multiplier for Cheney's agenda and views.
The vice president was concerned. He felt badly, obviously. On the other hand, he was not careless or incautious or violate any of the (rules). He didn't do anything he wasn't supposed to do.