By now Dick Cheney's out-of-touch Iraq POV is common knowledge. The most recent evidence during Cheney's Wolf Blitzer interview should give everyone cause for concern CNN Interview.
The question that has been nagging me is: What exactly is the basis for Cheney's view of the conditions in Iraq?
I've searched to see exactly how many trips Cheney has made to Iraq--and have found that the last visit was over a year ago NPR--a quick hit and run after the Iraqi parliamentary elections.
Has Cheney actually toured the country recently? On what basis is he forming his opinions?
Clearly he thinks that reporters are not showing the appropriate level of even-handedness. But, on what basis, should we take his view--he that is removed from the action--over those who are actually on the ground?
What I propose is a "Draft Cheney" movement. We all know that Cheney had other priorities when his first, second, third, fourth, and fifth opportunities arose several decades ago. While Cheney would be liability in a combat role these days, it does seem appropriate to push for Cheney to actually take a tour of Iraq again.
Cheney's view seems to be that conditions aren't that bad, so I don't see what would be the main impediment to his making a trip of the warzone. Certainly as a policy maker, it seems that he has an obligation to the troops and to the American people to make his judgements based not only on second-hand reports, but from first hand experience.
So is it time?
Thoughts?