Cheney: "She's a Good Candidate"

My how times change. Dick Cheney and George W. Bush have endorsed the selection of Sarah Palin, for better or for worse. We knew about Bush's 'endorsement' from the convention when he addressed the crowd via Satelite. This is the first we've heard from the Dark Lord, I mean Vice President, however. From The Trail:

"We've had all kinds of vice presidents over the years. Everybody brings a different set of experiences to the office and also a different kind of understanding with whoever the president is," Cheney told the group of reporters traveling with him in Rome.

"Each administration is different," added Cheney, whose long experience in Washington before becoming Bush's running mate laid the groundwork for his role as one of the most powerful vice presidents in history.

"And there's no reason why Sarah Palin can't be a successful vice president in a McCain administration. It won't look exactly like the Bush administration or the first Bush administration, the Ford administration. It'll be relatively unique to this president and this time that they're in office."

He goes on to say:

"I think she's a good candidate, and I don't see any reason why she can't be an effective vice president."

That seem to run around the experience issue. He seemed to have a very different idea of how important experience and preparation were four years ago.

It's a very significant responsibility when you consider that at a moment's notice you may have to take over as president of the United States and make all of those decisions. It's happened several times in our history.

And I think that probably is the most important consideration in picking a vice president, somebody who could take over.

- Vice President Dick Cheney, October 5, 2004, The Cheney-Edwards Vice Presidential Debate

I guess ignoring facts are not the only thing that neo-conservative Republicans are good at. Ignoring ability, as has also been evidenced by the Bush administration with Mike Brown and Alberto Gonzales, is also a hallmark trait. At least, when it comes to their own.

Now, considering the Vice-President's popularity is somewhere south of even his boss, I don't know if this help or hinders McCain Palin. Given how happy they were to keep George W. Bush and Dick Cheney away from St. Paul, MN, it may be that they aren't all that happy that they are talking about this now either. It sure isn't helping to sway me to the cause.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

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New Rules: John Edwards

I really have no idea if this video will stay up. Also if something of better quality comes along I shall add on but, in the meantime, here are Bill Maher's New Rules for Aug 29, 2008:



I have made no secret of my early support for John Edwards here or on the now defunct wanderingdonkey.com. I have posted on this earlier here and with the video of his Nightline interview. You can believe the guy or not. That's fine. The choice is up to you.

I was really happy that Bill Maher, libertarian stalwart, though he has been leaning liberal as well the last few years, call out the Democratic Party on their exclusion of this populist. They need populists for Jefferson's sake!

Look. What he did was really crappy. Really crappy. I would not expect, nor could I expect to be forgiven by my wife or my circle of friends or family for what he did, were it myself.

Nevertheless, his wife has come to terms with this! (I won't say forgive because I can't find her using this word.) She has stood by him.

Why?

Well, the guy is undeniably attractive. And, assuming he actually believes in the causes he actually champions, he is their greatest champion.

I can only assume she actually believes in him just as the rest of us would like to believe in him. Why aren't we taking her lead?

The poor, as Bill Maher suggests, are getting the short shaft in this election. This is because of him and because of his absence.

It was his issue. Hillary and Barack are afraid to touch on the subject because it was his issue. They are afraid of the potential taint.

Meanwhile, it is those most in need who lose out.

Leave it to a self-described Libertarian to point out that the Democrats are failing to use what Bill Maher described as, "the strongest voice on poverty since Robert Kennedy."

Ouch! That does sting. And it stings all the more because he's right.

Heck, you could even describe the guy as the greatest Democratic populist of the last thirty years before Barack Obama.

I listened to this man, four years ago, in person, in Mentor, Ohio, my current hometown. Until then, I had liked him. Afterwards, I wanted to elect him president. He wasn't running for that spot, but, I figured he would have a shot by that point, in either four or eight years. He is that magnetic in person.

He spoke to the hopes, and yes, the fears, of ordinary Ohioans and Americans at a time when the economy wasn't even as scary as it is now. Maybe that was the problem.

Now, the Democratic Party has tossed him aside, as he tries to rebuild his life and credibility.

I agree. His credibility on the issue of poverty has not suffered incredibly. Having him speak, as well as his wife, would have brought a whole range of issues not adequately adressed at the convention into focus. You could have dovetailed Elizabeth with healthcare VERY nicely.

Anybody who has ever been within five feet of this man knows he will return. He is just too charismatic. Heck, Gary Hart has returned, this guy may have even more to offer.

I know the scandal was real fresh. But I agree with Bill that the Democrats missed an opportunity here, and the poor of this nation lost a voice, because of one man's mistake.

I look forward to a time when John and Elizabeth can put all of this behind them and continue to speak for those with no voice in this country.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

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Edwards Nightline Video

Hopefully, these links stay up. ABC is among the worst at sharing video so gotta get it off YouTube. Here is part one of the John Edwards Nightline interview with Bob Woodruff:



And here is part two:



I am still really pissed off. That probably won't wear off anytime soon. Still, he is coming clean to an extent that is way beyond anything I recall seeing from any politician in the past who did something analogous.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

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Edwards Admits Affair

Sen. John Edwards today admitted to having had an affair with a campaign worker.



The full statement is available via Ben Smith. Shaun Mullen and Pete Abel have been reporting on this, ably as usual, over at The Moderate Voice.

My reaction is much the same as with most of his supporters. Shock, anger, disgust.

That being said, I agree with Pete Abel who said: "If only more politicians would speak with such candor when weaving and getting caught in their own webs." in his post at The Moderate Voice. It doesn't excuse the senator nor does it absolve him but it does show him to be accountable in a way that few politicians in recent memory have been willing to accept.

Maybe he will start a trend?

A better trend would be marital fidelity. Now there is a new concept for these alpha males.

Comments welcome,

Pat McGovern

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