Upbeat Cheney Says He Will Serve Out Term

Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday he plans to serve out his term despite his heart problems, and expressed nonchalance about the 40% chance he’ll need a repeat of the artery-opening surgery he underwent Monday.

“What are you suggesting that I do about it?” Cheney asked reporters with a chuckle after meeting with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.

Cheney was back on the job at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, just 21 hours after his release from George Washington University Hospital, where he was admitted after four bouts of chest pain in three days. Cheney underwent cardiac catheterization to reopen an artery that had narrowed since catheterization in November, after his fourth heart attack.

“I’ve got a job to do; the president asked me to do it,” Cheney said after the meeting. “I’ll do it as long as he’s comfortable having me do it and I feel like I can make a contribution. And I’ve signed on for a four-year term, and whether or not he wants me to serve with him in his second term, that’s a decision he’ll make at the appropriate time.”

Cheney, generally a serious sort in public, was full of quips as he told the media he is having the time of his life, loves working for President Bush and has no plans to change his workload. “The stress level is a lot tougher when you’re doing something you don’t like, like being a reporter or journalist,” he said.

Asked about the speculation in political circles about a possible replacement for him down the road, Cheney said: “Well, I’m sure there are plenty of volunteers. There’s never been a shortage of aspirants for the post.”

As for changes in his lifestyle, Cheney said his wife, Lynne Cheney, “is in control of the food supply, and she’s not a great cook.” A chorus of laughter and cries of “Ooooo!” interrupted him.

“Fortunately, now the stewards at the V.P. residence are, and they do a great job and the menu is very healthy,” Cheney continued. “Lynne controls the menu. I’ve got a doctor that follows me around 24 hours a day--that comes with the job as vice president. I’ve got plenty of exercise equipment. I’ve lost a good deal of weight over the last several months and expect to lose more. Doing those things a prudent man would do.”

Cheney added: “I’m 60 years old. I have a history of coronary artery disease. But I very much enjoy my job, am having a very good time--don’t consider it stressful. But I’m willing to live with those circumstances; I have for a very long time. I started down this road when I was 37 years old.”

Later, Cheney joined Bush for lunch with President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea. In the afternoon, Cheney received economic and domestic policy briefings.

Cheney’s press secretary, Juleanna Glover Weiss, said he doesn’t plan to release his complete medical records or further information about the medications he takes. (He has said he takes a cholesterol-lowering drug.) She pointed to the briefings by Cheney’s doctors this week and added: “Any other information is not illuminating as to the vice president’s health. I think we’ve been incredibly open and transparent.”