Dick Cheney, Daughter Liz Kick Off Desert Town Hall

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, a political commentator, Liz Cheney kicked off the Desert Town Hall series on Jan. 26.

The father-daughter pair alternated speaking and answering questions for three different audiences on Thursday night. The first was the Youth Ambassador program, followed by the main lecture and finally a follow-up question and answer section for those attending dinner. 

In a pre-lecture interview, Liz Cheney shared her thoughts on the youth involvement. When asked what she wanted high school students to gain out of hearing her and her father speak she said that she hoped they would be encouraged to get involved and maybe be inspired to run for office.

She also shared that she would not be surprised if young people voted in a more conservative manner in the next election given the current state of the economy.

During the Youth Ambassador speech the Cheneys mostly focused on the former vice president's memoir, “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir,” which follows Dick’s time in Washington.

The two wrote together to document over 30 years in the capital working with four of the last five Republican administrations. The former vice president shared that he wanted something to pass on to his family along with the Civil War sword of his ancestor. 

Liz Cheney encouraged the students to talk to their grandparents or even great-grandparents and hear their life stories. She herself used to interview her family members and record their conversations, which she said helped in the writing of the memoir.

The main speech touched on an array of topics spanning from 9/11 to the trouble Dick Cheney has faced with his health.

When speaking about 9/11 Cheney said: "It drove everything we did for the next seven years."  

Dick Cheney continued to speak on the effects of the attack and criticized President Barack Obama's decision to pull troops out of the Middle East saying: "The President can pretend he ended the war successfully."

Liz surprised her father by asking questions about his heart problems to which Cheney shared that he considers himself to be extraordinarily fortunate and that it is enormously important to have the support of a stong family.

"We have the best health care in the world and I'm living proof," Liz Cheney said.

On the subject of the upcoming election Liz stated that she thinks, "The country is more polarized than ever before."

Dick Cheney shared that he is looking for a candidate that is "able to opperate under extreme cirtumstance and lead the country."

In the final question and answer section of the night audience members were able to hear answers to questions they had submitted earlier in the evening.  Question could be humorous such as "What do you do for fun?" (fishing) or more serious such as "What do you think is the biggest threat to our nation?" (nuclear warfare.)

Another question that was asked was whether "enhanced interrogation" was necessary. The former VP maintain that is what completely neccessary and valuable information was obtained by use of that method.

The pair kicked off the 20th season of Desert Town Hall. The lectures are held at the Esmeralda Hotel in Indian Wells.

New this year is musical entertainment with cocktails on the Rose Lawn beginning at 5 p.m. Each lecture begins promptly at 6 p.m. and dinner, for those who have paid to stay, is served at 7:30.

Included in the Desert Town Hall Series is the Youth Ambassador Program.  This program allows 150 high school students to attend a pre-lecture as well as watch the main lecture via live stream. 

Ten Youth Ambassadors have also been chosen to attend all four lectures and keep everything running smoothly. Youth Ambassadors are Liz Larsen, Stephanie Benjamini, Briseida Jimenez, Carlos Esqueda, Allie Silvas (La Quinta), Austin Braunschweiger, Logan Baron, Caroline Stickell (Xavier College Prep), Julien Bloch, and Mellica Harris (Palm Desert).

President of the Desert Town Hall Brian Harnik ended the night by thanking Dick and Liz Cheney and saying it was: "A good way to start year 20."