>>>>>I agree that Cheney is a great asset to the new administration. Conventional wisdom says that he will have his hands full breaking ties in the Senate, but I expect that he'll spend lots more of his time building consensus behind the scenes, and giving valuable input in top-level Cabinet and strategy meetings in the White House.
>>>>>
>>>>>I believe George W.'s management style will result in some very capable people being brought on board. He'll set agendas and turn people loose to accomplish them without so much micro-management. I think he'll spend lots of time talking one-on-one with members of Congress and other important national leaders (private sector included) and gradually build a coalition based on humility and bipartisan respect.
>>>>>
>>>>>Whether the other side will join in that effort remains to be seen.
>>>>
>>>>I have a very healthy fear of a "laisez faire" management sytle, as evidenced by the Iran-Contra scandal. Presidents tend to get very isolated, and a hands-off management style puts too much power in the hands of people who were not elected to office.
>>>>
>>>>In other words, who is running the country?
>>>
>>>Don't confuse his management style with "laisez faire" I seem to recall that Ronald "The President" Reagan had pretty good luck at it.
>>
>>Sure, if you completely ignore Iran-Contra.
>
>
>Let's see Iran Contra vs the litany of Clinton-gates, I'll take it every time. And besides, there has never been any proof Reagan knew about that. Clinton has been found guilty of lying to a Federal judge.

Yeah, right. This is exactly my problem with the conservative right. When a liberal does it, there is a huge uproar. When a conservative does it, hey, let's look the other way. I'll call it both ways, and I am on record on the UT as believing Clinton should have been impeached for perjury.

And proves another point: Reagan was either lying or stupid in not knowing what was going on right under his nose.

"We did not -- repeat -- did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages -- nor will we." - Reagan in televised address to the nation