When Dick Cheney appeared on Mark Levin’s radio show Friday, the conservative opinion maker said the former vice president is being “screwed” by the New York Times’ best-seller list.
Both Levin and Cheney have books out. But Levin, who the New York Times ranks as having the top hardcopy nonfiction book, says Cheney should actually be listed as the number one author instead. (RELATED: Dick Cheney Is ‘Religiously Staying Away’ From Talking About Donald Trump)
“Here’s the truth,” Levin said on his show before interviewing Cheney and his co-author daughter, Liz, on Friday. “The truth is they have written the number one hardcover, nonfiction book. Not me. They. But they were screwed by the New York Times. So let me be the first to say that and I apologize for that. I had nothing to do with it.”
“It’s not your problem Mark,” the former vice president replied. “But we agree with you on how you rate the New York Times.”
Here’s how the New York Times currently ranks the top hardcopy nonfiction books:
1. PLUNDER AND DECEIT, by Mark R. Levin
2. BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
3. EXCEPTIONAL, by Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney
But USA Today’s current list of all best-selling books shows the Cheneys ahead of both Levin and Coates:
33. EXCEPTIONAL, by Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney
35. PLUNDER AND DECEIT, by Mark R. Levin
63. BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
A source tells The Daily Caller Nielsen BookScan, which tracks book sales, backs up USA Today’s rankings, indicating the Cheney book has sold 2,300 more copies than Levin’s and 2,900 more books than Coates’ book.
Cheney and the New York Times have long clashed: its editorial board last year called on President Obama to prosecute him over the country’s past torture practices.
And more recently, the editorial board has endorsed President Obama’s deal with Iran, something the Cheneys rail against in their book. (RELATED: Dick Cheney Slams Iran Deal)
This isn’t the first time questions have been raised by supporters of a Republican about the New York Times’ bestseller list. In July, the paper kept Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s book off the list, citing “strategic bulk purchases.” But days after an outcry from Cruz and his supporters, the organization ended up putting the Texas senator’s book on the list. (RELATED: Ted Cruz Accuses New York Times Of Lying About Bestseller List)
TheDC has submitted a request for comment from the New York Times.