Powell criticizes Cheney's 'cheap shots'

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Secretary Colin Powell ripped Former Vice President Dick Cheney's book, saying he took potshots at officials in George W. Bush's administration.

Among other things, Cheney wrote in his book, "In My Time," that he thought Powell took criticisms about Bush's policies outside of the administration and took credit for Powell's departure soon after Bush's re-election, Powell said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"I mean he takes great credit for my resignation in 2004. Well President Bush and I had always agreed that I would leave at the end of 2004, after the election," Powell said. "I stayed on for three more months because I wanted to and there were some conferences that I wanted to attend, and because Dr. (Condoleezza) Rice hadn't been confirmed (as Powell's successor). So there's no news there."

He also said Cheney took "cheap shots" at other members of the Bush administration and wrote in "an almost condescending tone" about Rice.

From what he's seen and read, Powell said it seemed Cheney's book rehashed events during the Bush administration and didn't provide insight or context -- or bombshells, despite Cheney's prediction that "heads would explode" when the book is released Tuesday.

"My head isn't exploding; I haven't noticed any other heads exploding in Washington, D.C.," Powell said. "What really sort of got my attention was this way in which he characterized it: It's going to cause heads to explode."

Cheney had a long, distinguished career in Washington, Powell said, "and I hope in his book that's what he will focus on, not these cheap shots that he's taking at me and other members of the administration who served to the best of our ability for President Bush."