The Internet Monk
"the power of opinion, the phenomenon of speech, the beauty of truth"
A Webjournal and News Review by Michael Spencer
Updated 12/4/00
The Grown-Up (Continued)
by Michael Spencer
When
we are wise, we listen to the grown-ups. That's what Tuesdays with Morrie
and Tthe Greatest Generation are all about. And its what Dubya's choice
of Cheney is all about. It's an admission that the President needs a
grown-up at his elbow. With all the humor aimed at Dubya's supposed
intellectual deficiencies, it is proven wisdom to surround yourself with
wiser heads. Remember, Clinton surrounded himself with fans, lesbians
and drug-users.
Al Gore is not going to have any grown-ups in the White House. If he did, they would be window dressing. Joe Lieberman is not a grown-up. He is an attempt to import moral authority into a morally bankrupt Democratic party. Look at how Gore's staff relates to him. No one is going to tell Mr. Gore what he doesn't want to hear. If they could, we wouldn't be watching this legal battle on television. We'd be reading the concert line-up for the Inauguration. (Willie Nelson? The Dixie Chicks?)
A Democrat version of a grown-up is Warren Christopher. Or Janet Reno. Or Ma Richards. Or Ted Kennedy. What a retirement village that would be.
Expect to hear some media worries that Cheney is taking on too much, having too much say and really running the show. Democrats will try to make Dubya appear to be clueless and weak, depending on Cheney to tell him what to do with his time. Cheney's health will be a continuing focus, hoping to make Americans uneasy that the man a heartbeat away from the Presidency may not have a heartbeat. Expect the question to surface quickly: Mr. President, will Vice-President Cheney be your running mate in 2004?"
Cheney's confident voice and business world demeanor have quietly won points for Dubya's claim to be the President-elect. If the election were held today, Bush would gain 15% of those who voted for Gore. Dick Cheney is a big reason. His call for Gore's concession is a sign that Democrats are answering their phones when Dubya calls.
Stand by, America. A Grown-up is on the way.