Lynn Cheney Loses It

Lynn Cheney Loses It –updated below–

A little defensive about your lesbian lover book, Lynne? This was classic. She came on defensive and left looking like she'd been hit by a stripper's tossels.

Lynne evidently didn't like that James Webb is fighting back. Get used to it, lady. Besides, Cheney's book sure didn't get http://www.webbforsenate.com/images/lost_soldiers.jpg\">reviews like these.

Huffington Post has the video and the transcript. It's delicious.

The part in bold below is my emphasis, but get a load of the hedging. \”Not
necessarily\”? But she doesn't stop there. Read the snippet for yourself. A bit cryptic, I'd say. Defensive, for sure.

BLITZER: \”In 1988, Lynn Cheney wrote about a Republican vice president who dies of a heart attack while having sex with his mistress.\” Is that true? CHENEY: Nothing explicit. And actually, that was full of lies. It's not — it's just — it's absolutely not a… BLITZER: Did you write a book entitled \”Sisters\”? CHENEY: I did write a book entitled \”Sisters\”. BLITZER: It did have lesbian characters. CHENEY: This — no, not necessarily. This description is a lie. I'll stand on that. BLITZER: There's nothing in there about rape and brothels? CHENEY: Well, Wolf, could we talk about a children's book for a minute? BLITZER: We can talk about the children's book. I just wanted to… CHENEY: I think my segment is, like, 15 minutes long and we've had about 10 minutes of… BLITZER: I just wanted to — I just wanted to clarify what's in the news today, given — this is… CHENEY: That's lies and distortion. That's what it is.

UPDATE: Okay, Lynne, you want to play is this porn? You got it. C&L
has more audio, but the following was just emailed to me. It's something else.

\”I have never written anything that is sexually explicit.\” [CNN, 10/27/06] Lynne Cheney's Writing: In Lynne Cheney's \”Sisters\”, The Main Character Sophie Learns Her Sister Was Lesbian. In Lynne Cheney's book, the main character Sophie learns that her sister Helen – married to a man named James – was a lesbian who had a long-term affair with a woman named Amy. \”Helena, My Dearest Lover.\” Sophie learns her sister is a lesbian in a passage where she reads the pairs' love letters. \”'To my Helena, my dearest lover. You are the joy of my life. If ever you fail me through my fault or your own, I will forswear thenceforth all human friendship. Thine always, A.T.' Helen and… Amy Travers? No, it couldn't be, simply couldn't. But '…my dearest lover'?\” In a later passage, Sophie remembers \”The letters. Sophie recalled the love words: 'And then we shall go to bed, our bed, my dearest girl.'\” [Sisters, page 106] Sophie Sleeps With Dead Lesbian Sister Helen's Husband James. Cheney describes the first time her protagonist Sophie sleeps with her dead sister's husband, writing, \”When he had pulled into the carriage house, they both remained unmoving for a moment. In the darkness she became acutely aware of his nearness, and even before she looked at him, she knew he was watching her. She glanced up, their eyes met, and he gave a short exhalation, more than a sigh, for she could hear his voice in it. 'Sophie,' he said hoarsely, 'Sophie…' He reached for her and she moved toward him, unthinking for the minute, knowing only that she wanted to me in his arms.\” [Sisters, page 63] But is Careful to Use Condoms, Even Though Sometimes Men Don't Like Them. In a lacquered box given to Sophie, there \”were several small sponges, each in a silken net with a string attached. There were packets marked \”Preventive Powders,\” and lined up in neat rows were several dozen condoms. \”There are all these things, you know,\” Adah was saying. \”But the sheaths are really the best. Sometimes men don't like them.\” Even though Sophie wasn't sure about her decision to bring the condoms out west with her, as she prepared to meet James, she though that it was \”well she had, she thought, lifting the box off the shelf.\” [Sisters, Pages 37 and 70] Then Sophie Sleeps With Him Again. Cheney describes the second time her protagonist Sophie sleeps with her dead sister's husband, writing, \”'And you should fasten your robe before you let anyone see you.' He reached down as if to tie it shut, but slipped his hand inside instead, inside her unbuttoned nightgown too.She was smiling, but she found it difficult to speak. Once more she felt all her blood and breath being pulled downward.They moved into the bedroom. 'Mmmmmm,' he agreed as they fell toward the bed. [Sisters, Page 71] Sophie Learns That Her New Lover (and Sister's Ex Husband) James Raped Her Sister. Cheney writes about Sophie learning of her new lover's rape of her sister. \”'A little over two years ago. He forced himself upon her. He was drunk, and he forced her to submit.' Sophie shut her eyes, and Miss Travers' words faded into the distance, driven back by a tangled, violent image of James and Helen.\” [Sisters, page 82] Sophie Learns That Her New Lover James Married Her Sister Because He Thought Native American Women Were \”Passionate.\” In an argument with her new lover, Sophie realizes why James married her sister. \”'Why did you think Helen…?' She stopped in mid-question, because she suddenly thought she understood. \”It was the Indian blood, wasn't it? It was Indian women you had an idea of. They'd be passionate, they'd be eager lovers. And there was Helen, well enough dressed and educated to be acceptable to your fine friends, but with the Indian blood too–just a hint of things dark and passionate.'\” [Sisters, page 85] But It Doesn't Matter: Despite Rape and Racism, Sophie Forgives James and Marries Him. \”She [Sophie] could think of no other cause to refuse him [his proposal], but she wasn't sure she had sufficient reason to accept, either. And yet… and yet, she wanted to.\” [Sisters, page 177]