Most of the reaction to Vice President Dick Cheney's most recent outrageous statement has been to condemn (or, in the case of the Bush campaign, to backpedal away from furiously) the libelous accusation he made. Here's how it was reported by the Associated Press:
"It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States."
That's more obscene than anything Dick said in the Senate.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards quickly responded to the accusation. The Kerry administration, he said, "will keep American safe, and we will not divide the American people to do it." He also condemned Cheney's filthy smear:
"Dick Cheney's scare tactics crossed the line today, showing once again that he and George Bush will do anything and say anything to save their jobs. Protecting America from vicious terrorists is not a Democratic or Republican issue and Dick Cheney and George Bush should know that."
Edwards' response was rapid and justifiably angry, although probably not angry enough. After all, John Edwards was ringing alarm bells about the threat of terrorism long before 9/11. And more than a decade before that, Sen. John Kerry "busted the terrorists' favorite bank." But Cheney still thinks that the death of 3,000 people on American soil during his watch is some kind of badge of honor. (Failure-is-triumph being one of the dominant motifs in the Bush-Cheney campaign.)
But consider that Cheney was not merely making a false and outrageous accusation. He was also making a false and outrageous promise.
Implicit in the vice president's statement is his assurance — his guarantee — that if President Bush takes office for a second term, no terrorist attacks will be made upon the United States.
On what basis is Cheney able to claim this with such certainty?
The same basis, apparently, that allowed his boss, in the 2000 campaign, to promise 5 million new jobs during his first term. (As John Sweeney likes to point out, he broke that promise and came up 6 million short.)
The Bush campaign seems to think that it can make outlandish promises — terrorists will never attack again; 2004 will bring 320,000 new jobs every month; we'll be greeted as liberators and democracy will spread throughout the Middle East — and never be held accountable when they fail to live up to them.
Edwards has it exactly right. They are willing to say anything to save their jobs.
Cheney has become like King Lear's older daughters who lied to their father with overblown, impossible flatteries. He will tell voters whatever he thinks they want to hear — no matter how impossible or implausible. "I love you more than words can wield the matter," he tells the electorate.
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
As much as child e'er loved, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Your taxes shall wither to nothing and
Beyond nothing, refundable credits
For all, a thousand dollars a month!
And full employment for all who wish it
With six and seven figure salaries.
Gas will cost but a nickel a gallon,
War will be bloodless, frequent, televised;
Fought with lasers, smart bombs, min'ature nukes;
And only the brown foreigners will die. …
The Kerry campaign finds itself in the unenviable position of Cordelia, Lear's youngest — and only loyal — daughter. Hoping that the electorate is not so vain, senile and gullible as to prefer lying flattery over honest duty.
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