Bush AWOL

For those of you who have yet to read the definite account of Bush's National Guard service (or lack thereof), now is the time. While this story first appeared during the 2000 campaign, the media as a whole pretty much ignored it. But now that Bush has put his flight suit back on and has decided that he will use the military for partisan political purposes, it's a good time to review the 12 month hole in his service record.

Punk

It looks like SC's Lt. Governor has got himself in a little bit of trouble:

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, rushing to the State House Tuesday, was ticketed for reckless driving after police say he drove 60 mph and ran two red lights in downtown Columbia.

Four blocks after an officer tried to stop him, Bauer, 34, pulled over on Assembly Street at about noon, police said.

He was so aggressive, officer Jon Vanhouten drew his gun and ordered Bauer to raise his hands, a police report said.

Bauer was driving with "total disregard for public safety," wrote Vanhouten, who didn't immediately recognize the lieutenant governor.

Now, most people in such a situation would apologize profusely for such stupid and dangerous behavior. Some of them might even be sincere. But Bauer isn't even attempting to sound contrite. Instead, according to Police Chief Austin, Bauer might even invoke legislative immunity to get out of this legal mess. What a punk.

PS: This isn't the first time Bauer has been, er, aggressive, either:

During last fall's campaign, he broke a bone in his right hand at the State House.

Bauer would only say he slammed a "stationary object." At the time, he said he was aggravated, not angry.

Definitely the kind of public official that everyone can look up to and admire.

One Less Thing To Think About

According to the AP, Cheney will be on the ticket in 2004. Given Cheney's obvious power in this administration, and his lack of obvious health problems for the last couple of years, I'm not really surprised. And I'm also a little relieved. Condi Rice taking Cheney's place was my nightmare scenario — she would have really cut into some segments of the Democratic base. But then I suspect a good chunk of the Republican base would be rather uncomfortable with that choice. And if Bush has learned one thing from his father, it's that you don't diss the base.