"Dead Wrong"

Those are the words that Vice President Biden used when he commented on  Darth Vader's Dick Cheney's comments that Americans are less safe today because we aren't hanging terrorists up by their toenails.

As you may have gathered from yesterday's post (Spies Like Us), I am not even remotely in favor of the tacts the Bush Administration took to "secure" our safety. And I am deeply disturbed that Obama's people are not only keeping these tactics available, but are expanding on them. Wiretapping without a warrant and sending people to undisclosed locations does not keep us safer in the end. Not only does it turn people around the world against us and create even more future terrorists, it takes away many of the basic tenants of civil liberty that our country was founded on.

But what is most intriguing about the hubbub around Cheney's and Biden's remarks is the media's response to what Biden said. 

First of all let me set some things straight—Cheney is no longer in office; he doesn't have access to the information to determine what the United States security position is.

Secondly, it is poor cricket indeed for the former administration to be so bold in their criticism this early on in the new administration's time in office. Dubya ain't doing it; his daddy didn't do it, and Clinton didn't do it. There is a time for former leaders to criticize, but it surely isn't during the first 100 days when so much is at stake. While it would appear that Cheney has indeed "gone rogue," it would be nice if someone could reign him in. (Where is a man-eating shark when you need one?)

Finally, even if it were ok for Cheney to be critical at this point, or even later when it would be in better form, there is no need to sound so gleeful about the idea of another terrorist attack on Americans. This man is practically begging someone to do something just so he can be pronounced right. That is disturbing and he just might be even more deranged than I previously imagined.

But back to Biden. Joe's response to Cheney struck me as measured and almost subdued, which is saying a lot for Biden. I mean dude hasn't always been one to watch what he says . . . . This time around, however, I feel like he struck the right tone, respectful disagreement. CNN has more here.

The Right is being critical of Biden's response (of course), as Salon's Joan Walsh details in her blog post and as seen in this MSNBC clip where she debates David Rivkin, who not only thinks that Cheney isn't insane, but also managed to get Joan's name wrong too. Classy. Biden is not the one out of line here. Not even close.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Sound Bytes

A selection of my favorite comments, quotes, meanderings from yesterday's festivities:

"The challenges we face are real," he said. "They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America—they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

President Obama

"A farmer considers the changing sky/ A teacher says, 'Take out your pencils, begin.'"

Elizabeth Alexander, Inaugural Poet

"Later I asked Hughley why we're all so invested in the Obamas' relationship, our focus on their "first dance" like that at a wedding. "I know why I am – because I've seen that in my own life, and on the Cosby Show, but I've never seen it represented that way in public life." Confession: I am paraphrasing that, because he was actually interviewing me, and I didn't have a notebook. But that was his point, and I know he's right."

Joan Walsh, Salon Editor in Chief

"People watched the big screen and when Mrs. Obama appeared, there was a roar, and when the Current Occupant and Mr. Cheney came out of the Capitol, a low and heartfelt rumble of booing. Dignified booing. Old black ladies around me tried to shush them -- "Don't do that!" they hissed -- but it's a democracy, and how will those men know how we feel if we don't tell them?"

Garrison Keillor, writer

"Obama arrived in the Oval Office at 8:35 a.m., according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. The president spent 10 minutes alone, reading a note left for him in the desk by outgoing President George W. Bush. The note had been placed in an envelope with a note saying: 'To: # 44, From: # 43.'"

CNN

So it begins.

As Dixville Notch Goes . . .

Per Yahoo News:

Democrat Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a count of 15 to 6 in Dixville Notch, where a loud whoop accompanied the announcement in Tuesday's first minutes. The town of Hart's Location reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul. Independent Ralph Nader was on both towns' ballots but got no votes.

ADDITION:

Per CNN—It was the first time since 1968 that the village leaned Democratic in an election.

Oy Vey

Below is Sarah Palin's response to a town hall question over the weekend about keeping any new domestic oil supplies in the U.S.

Oil and coal? Of course, it's a fungible commodity and they don't flag, you know, the molecules, where it's going and where it's not. But in the sense of the Congress today, they know that there are very, very hungry domestic markets that need that oil first. So, I believe that what Congress is going to do, also, is not to allow the export bans to such a degree that it's Americans who get stuck holding the bag without the energy source that is produced here, pumped here. It's got to flow into our domestic markets first.

What does that even mean? Fungible? I thought that was something that grew in your laundry basket. Flagging the molecules? Is that some sort of Alaskan version of football? I am so confused. Apparently that means I am qualified to be VP.

Read more here from ABC. Or watch Wolfie's take on it over at CNN.

Grasping for the Right Words

Political analyst Paul Begala yesterday on CNN's The Situation Room:

"Part of presidential leadership is stagecraft and inspirational leadership.

Ronald Reagan had that in spades. I think my old boss Bill Clinton gave a pretty good talk. And so does Senator Obama. I think it is a big part. The ability to move the nation with words from whichever side of the aisle you happen to be on is very important.

I think after—look, we have had George W. Bush for almost eight years, seven-and-a-half years, and watching that poor man try to finish a sentence is like watching a fat drunk guy trying to cross an icy street."

I think Begala might have nailed it with that last sentence. I know I was laughing my ass off when I heard it. And it certainly goes a long way in explaining quotes like this one:

"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America."
George W. Bush in Dakar, Senegal, July 8, 2003

Nice one Dubya! 196 days . . .

Downward Spiral

It was bad enough when CNN decided to give time to that bonehead Glenn Beck. But the once un-biased news network has lowered the bar even further by hiring Tony Snow of former White House Press Secretary fame, as well as a former "contributor" to Fox News.

Eegads.

There was actually another topic that aroused my ire since yesterday, but dang if my allergy-befuddled brain hasn't lost hold of it. When it returns, you will be the first to know.

The Money Game

Now here is a story I wish you were hearing a bit more about in the press. How much money John McCain's wife has.

Kerry got pummeled about his wife's fortune during the 2004 election. Clinton has even been criticized for not giving up the details of her income sooner. (She released her income tax statement last week, showing that she and the former Prez have done just fine thank you since leaving office.)

So what is the deal? Do we just EXPECT that the GOP candidate is going to be loaded and don't question it? Let's face it, no politician gets very far without having some money, either their own or what gets donated to them. Obviously, we have a long history of politicians having their own money—FDR, JFK, Reagan, the Bushes—all were wealthy beyond the ordinary American.

Yet McCain doesn't seem to be getting the grief that Kerry did? Why is that? The Washington Post estimated last year that the McCain's net worth was between $25-$38 million. (Hey McCains—Interested in adopting a slightly older, U.S. liberal? I can suck it up and help on the campaign.) Much of that wealth comes from Cindy McCain, whose daddy founded a beer distributing company, Hensley & Co.

If you are interested in a more detailed look at the McCain's and their moola, CNN has a recent piece about it.

Handy, Dandy Reference site

This link from CNN gives great concise information on the presidential candidates, the upcoming primaries and caucuses, the number of delegates each has already and much, much more!

I know you are all as excited by this as I am. (Thanks Wes!)