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Heart troubles for vice president cancel Illinois fundraising stop
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Vice President Dick Cheney underwent a successful procedure to restore an abnormal rhythm of his heart, his office said Wednesday.

The recurrence of heart trouble was disclosed Wednesday morning after the vice president canceled a fundraising visit to Illinois for Republican congressional candidate Martin Ozinga.

The vice president’s office issued a statement at Wednesday morning.

“During a visit with his doctors this morning, it was discovered that the vice president is experiencing a recurrence of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart,” the statement noted.

At 3:06 p.m., his press secretary, Megan Mitchell, said, “An electrical impulse was delivered to restore the heart to normal rhythm. The procedure went smoothly and without complication.”

Prior to his hospital visit, Cheney called Ozinga at home where the fundraiser was under way without him. Cheney offered his support for Ozinga’s candidacy, Mitchell noted.

Last year, Cheney, 67, underwent a procedure to deal with an irregular heartbeat and has had quadruple bypass surgery in the past. Cheney suffered his first heart attack in 1978, the first of four he’s had in his lifetime.

Cheney had been scheduled to fly into Chicago on Wednesday morning for a $500 per person luncheon on behalf of Ozinga, who is battling for the 11th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, a Republican from Morris.

“This morning, the Ozinga campaign was notified that the vice president will not be able to attend today’s scheduled reception at Marty Ozinga’s home,” said a statement by Ozinga campaign manager Andy Sere.

Ozinga, a Republican from Homer Glen, faces Democrat Debbie Halvorson of Crete and Green Party candidate Jason Wallace of Normal.

Republicans and Democrats are pouring large amounts of cash into the race in an attempt to win the open seat contest.

The 11th district stretches from Chicago’s south suburbs to Bloomington-Normal.

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Reader comments on this story - 19 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

teacher4justice wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:55 AM:

" It's a good thing Cheney's got that primo government healthcare... "

thedish wrote on Oct 16, 2008 3:00 AM:

" I'm sorry that an old man is having health problems; it comes with age. Just shows you why we SHOULDN'T put McCain in the White House. "

whatever! wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:11 PM:

" I can't believe Native, of all people, is upset over people poking fun. Wow, must be the stress of stinking it up in all the polls.

Besides, I always envisioned that Cheney looked like General Grevous under all those clothes, and EVERYONE knows that General Grevous had a heart....he was just machine everywhere else but his skull-head. "

Native wrote on Oct 15, 2008 4:46 PM:

" Look at all the vultures posting here today!

You show all the passion of a bunch of jackels trying to worry a bone.

Grow up, and try to act like adults. "

Dr.Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:14 PM:

" I do heart transplants. Get Help Paying For Your Transplant
Visit or Call 800-489-3863 for Info. "

rickbear wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:44 PM:

" Now wait, this may be McCain's only chance....Cheney croaks and a somber state funeral is held, with McCain giving an uplifting speech, something about Cheney's in a better place, going hunting every day, blah blah.

Fox news quickly pans past Cheney's lesbian daughters so not to offend the arch conservatives, and actually catches a tear being shed by McCain. That was really triggered by Palin's noxious moose musk perfume, but hey it is a tear.

McCain and Palin ride off in a white limo, while there is a small family ceremony to drive a wooden stake in Cheney's just to be sure.

Rick "

jimmy james wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:40 PM:

" the "heart trouble" is that they went looking for it- so that he might seem human- and could not find it. his sneer just doesn't translate his warmth and compassion without it... "

noogie wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:14 PM:

" Heart? Cheney doesn't have a heart, just a cold, black, void in his chest. Anyway, I'm sure the real reason is the fact that if you're seen with him, you'll lose. "

Dave wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:03 PM:

" Cheney has proven time and again he has no heart. "

Not so Political wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:46 PM:

" must be guilt getting to him for screwing america over the last 8 years. "

BookLover wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:44 PM:

" I don't think he realizes that America isn't a nation but a pair of continents. "

Bitter Academic wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Yes, THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY....every time we read one of ONLY IN AMERICA's posts. "

Pangloss wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:20 PM:

" The dumbing of America? And the way to solve that is to vote for the guy who finished in the 6th percentile of his class and a woman who took six years at five schools to get a BA in Communication? Vote for the party with candidates that have zero postgraduate degrees, that believes that Adam and Eve rode dinosaurs to church, that don't believe in science or regulation or global warming--- THAT will fix the dumbing of America! "

DeathlessHorsie wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:06 PM:

" irregular hearbeat...you mean actual heartbeat right? "

beachluvr wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:06 PM:

" All of you that are being so hateful with these nasty remarks.. just remember, what goes around, comes around. especially when you least expect it. With these statements, you've just proven what "your" made of.. be proud of yourselves,, you deserve each other. "

steinbeck11 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:41 AM:

" He has a heart? "

420 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:37 AM:

" Cheney Has a heart? News to me! "

DT wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:34 AM:

" He's still only a (skipped) heartbeat from the Presidency. "

ONLY IN AMERICA wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:20 AM:

" That's OK this is Illinois.... remember the most liberal & corrupt state in America and it will go to Obama.

THE DUMBING OF AMERICA CONTINUES DAILY IN ILLINOIS- FROM THE TOP TO BOTTOM... "
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