The problem is that the public has not a great deal of toleration for self-dramatizing glamor queens once the mask's been torn. And worse, those who are busy spreading the rumor that Cheney or the rest of the party were drunk (1) without a single shred of evidence, and (2) in direct contradiction to the eyewitnesses, the police, and the Secret Service, are going to become targets for a counter-accusation of smear-mongering that is going to stick.
What a great visual. They're tripping over each other, too. =) Shucks, I just noticed who I was replying to!.....
Spot on!