Cheney's ongoing problems

Jewish World Review ^ | February 21, 2006 | Paul Greenberg

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I thought the vice president handled the issue just fine." — George W. Bush, Feb. 16, 2006

"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." — George W. Bush, Sept. 2, 2005

Some of us have always thought of Dick Cheney, vice president of the United States, former secretary of defense, industrial magnate and general mover-and-shaker, as The Brains of the Outfit.

We still do, but intelligence isn't everything in a leader. Or even the most important thing — like judgment or honesty or prudence or modesty or, well, name your own favorite character trait. Lest we forget, the smartest people can do the stupidest things. (Cf. The Hon. William Jefferson Clinton.)

It's become almost a Washington mantra since Watergate: What really gets a politician into trouble isn't the mistake, even a serious mistake, but how it's addressed afterward — promptly or tardily, candidly or evasively, well or badly enough to amount to a far more serious mistake, as in cover-up.

Dick Cheney now has stepped forward (finally) and taken responsibility, full responsibility, for firing first and looking afterward on that quail hunt, or maybe looking simultaneously, which can be just as dangerous. That's good.

But he's still sticking with his story about its being perfectly proper to wait till the next morning to let the country know that a vice president of the United States has shot a friend in a hunting accident. Even though presidential counselor Dan Bartlett and the president's press secretary, Scott McClellan, both advised him to get the story out — widely — as soon as he could. But the best advice is of no use if one doesn't take it, and the vice president didn't. .

[Luis Gonzalez]

"To hell with the political games."

In an election year, during a political process.

That's a loser's stance.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Most republicans like him..."

Obviously wrong.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Most republicans like him..."

Do You Approve or Disapprove of the Job VP Cheney Has Done in the Bush Administration?
	Approve (%)	Disapprove (%)	Don't know (%)
2/15 - 2/16/06	29	41	29
11/29 - 12/1/05	32	45	23
10/6 - 10/7/04	51	38	11

"...and it is a 50% 50% country."

Roughly 25% of registered voters are independents.

"I do not get these polls."

Well, you have to double check the things that you think you know.