Since Dick Cheney’s ill-judged shot landed up to 200 pellets in the chest of lawyer Harry Whittington, the media has been quick to draw parallels between the US vice-president’s quick trigger finger and his political reputation.

Political commentators and blogs have pilloried Mr Cheney since the accident, in which Mr Whittington was sprayed with birdshot during a quail-hunting outing in Texas. Mr Whittington’s condition was described on Wednesday as stable a day after experiencing a minor heart attack caused by the shooting.