Elizabeth Cheney was featured on MSNBC last week speaking with the type of strong conviction that has been missing from the previous administration’s defense of their policies. If you have the time, the video clip below is an excellent representation of two things. First, how clearly Ms. Cheney presents her position and the position of the previous administration. Second, if you listen to the exchanges between the host and Ms. Cheney, it becomes very clear how the host is trying to lead Ms. Cheney down a certain road of intended “guilt” for the previous administration’s assumed law-breaking.

It is a great credit to Ms. Cheney that she is able to both defend the previous administration AND fend off the inherent far-left bias in the host’s questions. Take a listen and see what you think.

I have to say, though, I got a kick out of the audience shots looking at Vice President Dick Cheney. Again, I think that history and scholars will show that Cheney didn’t overstep the bounds of his office, but rather scared a nation who became used to an impotent Vice President. Frankly, I hope that Vice President-Elect Joe Biden takes as active as a role in that position as Cheney did because Biden has some good thoughts in his head if he just lets them out.

Anyway, Cheney amused me because he has that perpetual angry old man look on his face. About halfway through the speech they spanned to Cheney and he had a look on his face like, “Let’s go, George. I gotta get to sleep!” I loved it – hilarious. And then when the speech was over you KNOW Cheney wanted to turn to the crowd and say, “Alright, assholes. Get out!”

He’s the best.

Whether you love or hate the man, you have to admit that President Bush’s message last night about freedom in the Middle East and a strengthened security system at home was mildly inspiring. Whenever we, as a country, step back and look at the results of our good work around the world you can’t help but be in awe. Sure, most of the world doesn’t understand us and we’ve been too aggressive in foreign policy lately, but that doesn’t negate the positive results worldwide thanks to American involvement.

Foreign and domestic policy will change drastically with the new administration. I’m looking forward to these changes for a variety of reasons, but I thank President Bush and his administration for their contributions over the last eight years.

DO tell me why you are different that your opponent. One of Barack Obama’s biggest hurdles that he needs to overcome is the impression that he’ll have no idea what to do if he wins the election. Well…break that idea into little pieces by saying what you’ll do! And don’t give us the Kindergarten variety of “yes we can” and “change” and all of that horse shit. Tell us what your policies will be in clear, concise words. So far, the only thing that I’ve been able to decipher from Barack Obama’s speeches is that he’ll raise taxes for anyone making more than $200,000 per year.

At this point in the campaign, I should know more about your policies. From Barack Obama’s website:

Lower People’s Interest Payments by Creating a New Mortgage Interest Tax Credit: Many middle class Americans do not receive the existing mortgage interest tax deduction because they do not itemize their taxes. Obama will ensure that middle-class Americans get the financial assistance they need to purchase or keep their own home by creating a 10 percent universal mortgage credit that gives tax relief to 10 million Americans who have a home mortgage.

What does that mean? Why doesn’t Obama tell us how he’s going to pay for this plan? Why don’t these “new politicians” come out and say, “Many middle class Americans do not receive the existing mortgage interest tax deduction because they don’t care to learn how they can receive it. So, to make sure that those irresponsible Americans essentially get this free money, we’re going to create another gigantic government bureaucracy that will cost YOU more in taxes. That’s right. You get your mortgage deduction and you follow the rules, but we need you to pay more in taxes to pay for a program to help people who do not follow the rules. Sucks to be you!”

I thought the new politics were supposed to cut through the bullshit? And don’t you all get excited thinking that McCain is in the clear on all of this. Let’s not forget that McCain called Obama Jimmy Carter’s second term. Old politics at their worst on everyone’s account. Shameful.