Cheney, who served as vice president for eight years, revealed that he privately offered his advice to Romney and Beth Myers, who is leading the search for Romney’s running mate.

Although Cheney did not expand on the expertise he offered, his assessment of McCain’s choice in Sarah Palin was explicit.

‘That one,' Cheney said, 'I don’t think was well handled.'

'I like Governor Palin. I’ve met her. I know her. She – attractive candidate. But based on her background, she’d only been governor for, what, two years. I don’t think she passed that test…of being ready to take over. And I think that was a mistake,’ he told the news station.

Cheney, whose own unpopularity was a flashpoint for the Bush administration, says there are two lists that candidates maintain.

The bigger list includes politicians who want to be viewed as under consideration to boost their standing. Cheney says a second, much shorter list contains those who are actually being considered.