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Dick Cheney gave a stirring speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC on Mondayand it was carried by all the cable networks. But in an oddincident TV's tuned to CNN saw a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face.

Has CNN given Dick Cheney an X-Rating?

Matt Drudge sniffed out the issue and appeared on Fox News to out CNN. Appearing on Hannity & Colmes, Drudge said the X's appeared for "less than a 15th of a second" each. "It was almost subliminal," he said, according to TV Newser.

"However, when you slow down the tape you see Dick Cheney's face with a large X on it." "I think they've gotta give an explanation," Drudge added.

Drudge runs this item with a screen shot:

Vice President Dick Cheney Rated X by CNN?

At 11:04:45 AM ET Monday CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington -- when a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face!

The 'X' over Cheney's face appeared each time less than a second, creating an odd subliminal effect.

As this DRUDGE REPORT screen capture reveals, while one 'X' flashed over Cheney's face CNN ran a headline at the bottom of its screen:

"CHENEY: I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO CRITICIZE."

One top White House source expressed concern about what was aired over CNN.

"Is someone in Atlanta trying to tell us something?"

A CNN spokesman did not return repeated calls late Monday night.

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TV Newser carries this excuse from CNN:

A CNN spokesperson explained:

"Upon seeing this unfortunate but very brief graphic, CNN senior management immediately investigated. We concluded this was a technological malfunction not an issue of operator error. A portion of the switcher experienced a momentary glitch. We obviously regret that it happened and are working on the equipment to ensure it is not repeated."

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Ha! Unless a third party can grab a CNN screen shot of any other shots during the day with a big black X across the screen- that excuse is really difficult to swallow.

--CK Rairden