In the aftermath of the bungled 2000 election, most Democrats expressed resigned acceptance. After a month of watching Floridians puzzle over dimpled chads and listening to Republicans gloat over the Nader effect, we wanted to move on with our lives. Even if we suspected Bush was a moronic puppet, obviously the men controlling his strings were able enough to make him dance. “Bush isn’t that great, but I’m sure he’s got great advisors,” many people said hopefully.
Sure, Dick Cheney was disturbing – his industry connections, academic failures, frantic draft evasion, DUI arrests, unscrupulous political career – but he comforted us nonetheless, especially in light of Bush’s lack of foreign policy experience – nay, foreign policy knowledge, or awareness of such things as foreign policy. I viewed Dick Cheney as the levee that would hold George Bush’s ocean of stupidity in check.
My optimism was vividly recalled when Mr. Pinault and I discussed France’s upcoming elections, in which Socialist Segolene Royal has a shot of becoming President. I am surprised that France, a country which prides itself on being a leader in foreign affairs, would consider such an inexperienced candidate who has made several notable blunders on the campaign trail. “The feeling in France is that she is surrounded by many capable people,” Mr. Pinault said. It brought a chill to my soul as I remembered “That’s what America thought about Bush!”
I have come to believe that Dick Cheney is an evil man. Whatever intelligence and experience he has is more suited to shady politic wrangling – as the NY Times pointed out, the recent Libby trial exposed “a man immersed in the kind of political pushback that is … the province of low-level political operatives, not the vice president of the United States” (here). And the only evidence we have that Dick Cheney has a heart is that it’s constantly failing.
A grassroots movement to impeach Bush and Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors is currently sweeping small town meetings in Vermont (here). People have had enough of this Administration, but Democratic leaders are so focused on 2008 that they dare not do anything controversial. Maybe the Democratic party needs a few Dick Cheneys working under the covers to maneuver and manipulate and spin things to their advantage.
