WASHINGTON (AP) -- The man who will soon be a heartbeat away from the presidency represents a major turning point for the country in his own right.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office first today, replacing Dick Cheney, who assumed huge powers under
President George W. Bush. Cheney was a major voice on war and harsh interrogation techniques of suspected terrorists that he says kept the nation safe.
Biden accused Cheney of doing more harm than any elected official in recent memory in "shredding the Constitution." But Biden, who unsuccessfully tried for the White House twice, expects to play an active role.
Appearing on Oprah Winfrey's show, Biden says he told President-elect Barack Obama, "'I get to be the last guy in the room when you make every important decision. You're president. Any decision you make, I will back."'
