Byron York:
The New Yorker has a new profile of Rahm Emanuel, which, while containing nothing particularly newsworthy, does add to the public record on the new White House chief of staff's fondness for the F-word. Although we all know the word has flown around previous White Houses, it's hard to cite any former chief of staff, or other top-ranking official, who has actually said it on the record in Emanuel fashion.
Does the floor of the senate, while in session, count?
The story, which was recounted by several sources, goes like this:
Cheney, who as president of the Senate was present for the picture day, turned to Leahy and scolded the senator over his recent criticism of the vice president for Halliburton's alleged war profiteering.
...In response to Cheney, Leahy reminded Cheney that the vice president had once accused him of being a bad Catholic, to which Cheney replied either "f--- off" or "go f--- yourself."
But c'mon, it wasn't really on the record. Any on the record evidence top ranking official Dick Cheney really said that?
WALLACE: Did you tell Senator Leahy, "bleep yourself"?
CHENEY: I did.
WALLACE: Any qualms, second thoughts, or embarrassment?
CHENEY: No, I thought he merited it at the time and we’ve since patched over that wound.