In an interesting sign of the times, Dick Cheney has held a grand total of one fundraiser for an incumbent House Republican this year, and zero fundraisers for Republican challengers.

This is down from a ten fundraisers for incumbents and three for challengers at the equivalent point in 2005, when Cheney could charge a donation of $4,200 for a handshake and a photo — and have donors lining up to do it and candidates more than willing to host him.

Cheney spokeswoman Lea Ann McBride countered that her boss has done some fundraising for Senators John Barrasso (WY), John Cornyn (TX), and Saxby Chambliss (GA).

"In every election cycle he has done whatever it takes to help Republicans," McBride said. "This is someone who knows the value of campaigning and fundraising. You're going to see that from him this cycle."

By that logic, shouldn't he be absent from the campaign trail entirely?

(Via Think Progress)