Cousin Dick Cheney: Obama Honeymoon Is Over!

What happened to the 100-day honeymoon traditionally allotted to all new U.S. Presidents? It seems that the approximate 45+ days remaining in the Obama honeymoon has been nixed. Yes, the love fest between the American people and President Barack Obama has come to a screeching halt.

The media shills, who just a few months ago were loudly exclaiming 'hosanna to Obama', are now beginning to yell 'crucify' him, as many are openly criticizing the 44th President's every move. It is unfathomable that media pundits and talking heads, such as David Gergen, Chris Matthews and David S. Broder are currently leading the chorus to declare the Obama presidency annulled.

Online news source, The Examiner, noted that in a recent Washington Post op-ed:

"[David S.] Broder points out that the main challenge is now coming from the mainstream media as well as the conservative wing. He thinks that some thoughtful congressional Democrats worry that Obama has bitten off more than he can chew. All of this may signal that the honeymoon is over long before the first 100 days have past." www.examiner.com

Other notables, such as Townhall's Mark Hillman, in this recent piece all but called President Obama a 'cry-baby'...admonishing him to quit blaming Bush and 'suck-it-up':

"Bush didn't spend the next few months claiming that he "inherited" a national security mess, nor did he complain about the economy which faltered in two of the final three quarters under President Clinton before contracting again in Bush's first year.

Likewise, President Reagan didn't whine about the soaring unemployment and burgeoning inflation that awaited him after President Carter's tenure.

These men understood that they campaigned for the opportunity to serve as President and to lead by making difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions.

That's why President Obama's transformation from a candidate of hope and change to a president of gloom, blame and opportunism is so disappointing - even for those who didn't buy what he was selling as a candidate. His ability to truly inspire 53% of the voters seemed, at least, refreshing.

Now, the Obama team takes every opportunity to complain that they "inherited" a deficit, an "economic crisis," and "a big mess."

No hope, just bellyaching".

www.townhall.com/Columnists/MarkHillman/2009/03/16/big_boy_britches_for_obama

And what about the massive tea-party-protests being played out across the nation? Voters appear to be experiencing buyers remorse and taking to the streets to complain about the stimulus package and the increased taxes that the new President and Congress have proposed. Whoever heard of protesting a president half-way through his first 100-days?

But the coup de grâce, which truly signaled that Obama is out of good graces and the divorce is all but a done-deal... was the appearance on a recent Sunday morning news show of the 'father of the bride', former Vice President Dick Cheney, where he unequivocally accused President Obama of "making the nation less safe".

What? Did Dick Cheney really say that Obama cannot protect his new wife: the United States of America? Unheard of!

Now... these actions by the media are indeed unprecedented. But for Obama's own cousin, Vice President Dick Cheney, to come out during the 100-day honeymoon period to tell the nation and the world that Obama is making the country less safe... that is the remarkable! The marriage is officially on the rocks...

Wrap Your Mind Around a Sarah Palin Vice Presidency

All the talk of late is about the role of the U.S. Vice President. Is Biden ready... is Palin experienced enough? The question posed by Sarah Palin a while ago regarding her interest in the job, although flippant, it was telling, as she asked: "What does a Vice President really do"?

But first before examining the actual job responsibilities, let's juxtapose Governor Palin's readiness-to-be Vice President answer to Senator Joe Biden's recent statement on his Vice Presidential preparedness, as a possible indicator of who is... or is not set to serve:

"I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate". Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin; Sept. 11, 2008

"Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice-president of the United States of America. Let's get that straight. She's a truly close personal friend...quite frankly, it might have been a better pick than me." Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden; Sept. 10, 2008

Quite a contrast to say the least.

So, what does a Vice President do? Traditionally, the duties of the Vice President have been mostly 'ceremonial': attending funerals for world leaders, presiding over the House and Senate, and providing the tie-breaking vote if needed. But also to support the well-being, and the policies and ideas of the President of the U.S.A. Indeed, Dick Cheney has been the most hands on, powerful Vice President in the history of this nation. But his role for the past 8-years is more the exception... not the 'rule'.

Fellow country men who have served in the position of V.P. included Charles W. Fairbanks (Roosevelt); Alben W. Barkley (Truman); Albert Gore, Jr. (Clinton). And none of them had the responsibility or the expectation of overtly running anything in their V.P. capacity. And voters can rest assured, and sleep comfortably at night, knowing that Sarah Palin won't either.

The Veep job is the equivalent of being the second-string quarterback... the back-up... the "stand-by-just-in-case"! Although many are treating Palin as such, but, let's be clear: Sarah Palin is NOT running for President! She will only be the #2. And... quiet as it's kept, the odds of her ever having to step in and assume the role of President will not be any higher than has been in the past.

Yes, being a heartbeat away from President is important... but not nearly as crucial as many in they media purport it to be. With a cadre of advisors, Cabinet Secretaries, military consultants and other appointees, IF Palin should elevate to the role of President, she would not have absolute authority nor be able to override the will of the people.

Historic as her being elected Vice President would be for this country, she will basically be the proto-type... to help the American people wrap their minds around the prospect of a woman "one-day" being the Commander-in-chief. Now... while change sounds good, Americans won't be pushed into changing "too fast", too soon.

So... Sarah Palin, as V.P., will be in check, and a highly regarded figure-head, whose only claim-to-fame is access to the man with the power and the bully pulpit. No more, no less!

50+ days and counting...

McClellan: How Do You Say "President Obama" Boys and Girls?

In every election cycle there is generally one "major" earth-moving event that occurs and forever shapes the outcome of said election. The recent tell-all book, released by former White House Press Secretary, Scott McClellan, just may be that event for the Presidential 2008 election.

McClellan, whose powerful mother was a significant donor to W's campaigns; and his brother, Mark, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appointee; and of course he himself, have been widely touted as being an integral part of President Bush's inner circle dating way back to Texas. As a result of those relationships, it won't be very hard for the regular Joe Blows in bread basket America to believe McClellan's revelations about W's run up to war, Rove and Scooter Libby's less than honest claims regarding the Valerie Plame outing incident, and his verbal indictments against Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld. And all the bad mouthing by White House (and former White House) surrogates will fall on deaf ears.

What McClellan's book does is pour icy cold water on Senator John McCain's strongest political argument for the duration of the campaign: the Iraq war was and is neccessary for America to continue engagement. His book gives those independent voters who may have voted for McCain in the Fall, a reason to pause and re-examine Senator Barack Obama (whose political mantra continues to be his judgment to oppose the Iraq war from the beginning).

Not only does McClellan's memoir throw McCain's presidential chances into a downward spin... but GOP incumbents running for offices across the country (who had a steep uphill climb ahead anyway) will have to answer the question that will now be on the minds of Mr. and Mrs. John Doe: "Why Mr./Mrs elected official did you vote for this war without pressing the President for more information?" In addition, Fox News/Karl Rove's attempt at rebranding himself as a legitimate, credible voice on issues of the day has now been seriously compromised, wiped-out... dissed to the 3rd power.

What a difference a day makes in politics. One man, one book has possibly altered the landscape "big-time" for the upcoming general election.

As the world stands today, it should be much easier now for Senator Obama to pull a win out of this McClellan god-send. Heck, anytime any question on the Iraq war is pitched toward Senator Obama from now through November, all he needs to say is: "go read McClellan's book. End of conversation". How do you say "President Obama" boys and girls?

Hmmm... GOP in Hemorrhage Mode

Say what you will about former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, but when it comes to having a finger on the pulse for modern-day politics... they don't get any better than him.

Talking heads, pundits, and some GOP leaders were highly critical of Mr. Gingrich last week as he warned that the Republican party could witness "decisive losses this November” if they didn't change course immediately. Proving once again that he was "spot-on"... the Republicans lost yet another Congressional seat that had long been an established Republican seat. And this loss is so significant because it happened in north Mississippi.

What? With $1.3 million dollars spent by the national Republican Congressional Committee on negative advertisements on behalf of the GOP contender; endorsements by Mississippi's senior Senator Thad Cochran, and Mississippi's governor and former RNC Chairman Haley Barbour ... plus a drop-in visit to north Mississippi by Vice President Dick Cheney to inspire the party faithful. It is obvious that the Republican message ain't working.

According to Mr. Gingrich, "... the Republican brand has been so badly damaged that if Republicans try to run an anti-Obama, anti-Rev. Wright or, if Sen. Clinton wins, anti-Clinton campaign, they are simply going to fail. This model has already been tested with disastrous results."

Republicans are in hemorrhage mode... and need better find a way to broaden the GOP tent; shape a message that tells the American people "what's good about the Republican candidate as opposed to what's bad about their opponent"; and, lastly... get to raising money, money, and more money––quick!