Senate Approval of Cheney Predicted

WASHINGTON — Two senators predicted Saturday that the Senate would easily approve President Bush’s new choice for defense secretary, Rep. Dick Cheney (R-Wyo.), but they did not expect a vote on the nomination this week.

Speaking on CNN’s “Newsmaker Saturday,” Sens. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) and Malcolm Wallop (R-Wyo.) agreed that Cheney had adequate experience for the job.

“I think it may be helpful to have somebody go in that doesn’t think he has all of the answers, but Dick Cheney has had a lot of experience in matters relating directly to national defense,” Cranston said. “Dick has a great deal more experience with defense matters than has been the general cast of reports about him,” Wallop said.