Cheney: Will take Limbaugh over Powell

WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday he rejects the moderate Republican philosophy of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Cheney told "Face the Nation" on CBS: "I didn't know (Powell) was still a Republican."

If he had to "choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh," Cheney said.

Cheney made the statements when asked by Bob Schieffer about comments made by the conservative talk show host that the GOP would be better off if Powell, who served in former U.S. President George W. Bush's Cabinet, would leave the party and become a Democrat.

Cheney noted Powell endorsed Democratic victor Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.

"I assume that that's some indication of his loyalty and his interest," he said.

Powell frequently butted heads with Cheney and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about the administration's Iraq War policies.

Cheney said Republicans shouldn't adopt Powell's brand of moderation.

"I think we win elections when we have good, solid conservative principles to run upon and based our policies on those principles," he said.