Cheney: Clinton could win, he hopes she doesn't

Obama a player, but 'people might want a little more experience'

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updated 3:56 p.m. ET Oct. 24, 2006

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday he thinks Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton could win the presidency. He said Sen. Barack Obama might be viewed by voters as too inexperienced.

Cheney handicapped the Democratic field of potential candidates in an interview with conservative talk show host Sean Hannity.

"I think Hillary Clinton is a formidable candidate," Cheney said. "I think she could win. I hope she doesn't. I disagree with her on nearly all the issues, but nobody should underestimate her. She's a very serious candidate for president."

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Cheney said Obama, an Illinois Democrat, was an "attractive guy. Don't know him well, met him a few times. I think at this stage, my initial take on him was he's been two years as a senator. I think people might want a little more experience than that, given the nature of the times we live in. But certainly, he's an attractive candidate. If he decides to run, he'll be a player on the Democratic side."
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Obama said Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

As for himself, Cheney said he would not budge from his oft-stated decision that he will not run for president. "It's firm, final, fixed, irrevocable," the vice president said. "I don't know how else I can say it. If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

Cheney also said he was optimistic about Republican hopes in the Nov. 7 elections.

"I think we'll hold both the House and the Senate." Last week, Cheney raised eyebrows when he sounded less sure about GOP prospects. "I think we'll hold the Senate and I also think we got a good shot at holding the House," he told Rush Limbaugh.