Cheney Scare Tactics

From today's Carpetbagger Report, some questions worth asking ourselves:

What, exactly, do the Republicans think Kerry will do as president that's so radically dangerous?

Kerry has endorsed the notion of pre-emptive strikes against enemies that represent imminent threats. He wants to boost Homeland Security, international alliances, and the size of the military. Kerry has experience where it counts -- not only in wearing a uniform and fighting valiantly for his country, but also in undermining terrorist networks through his work in the Senate.

In all sincerity, I wonder what Cheney thinks Kerry would do about terrorism that makes the specter of his presidency so scary. Does anyone, even someone as callous and misguided as Cheney, seriously believe Kerry would ignore word of a pending attack (the way Bush did in August 2001 when he learned "bin Laden determined to strike inside the U.S.)? Does anyone seriously believe Kerry would ignore warnings from the intelligence community? Can anyone argue that Kerry would divert resources away from the nation's anti-terrorist activities?

These aren't rhetorical questions; I actually wonder if conservatives think such nonsense. If so, their Kerry hatred has pushed them comfortably into the realm of delusion. If not, their ridiculous attacks are transparent lies. It's one or the other.

I don't really expect intellectual consistency or honesty from the right anymore, but Cheney's scare tactics may be his lowest, most vile, point yet. Considering the source, that's saying something.

Cheney's comments yesterday certainly sank the level of political discourse to a new low. The administration and its zealous supporters clearly have zero respect for any opposition. The truth is something to fear and suppress. Voters who try to make an informed decision are pelted with disinformation. And the Bush brand of "democracy" the administration so loudly touts and wants to spread around the globe is no kind of democracy at all.