DON'T WORRY MR. BUSH, IT HAPPENS TO EVERY ADMINISTRATION

The New York Times reported this morning that the Bush administration is suffering from exec-tile dysfunction.

In the wake of years of awkward fumbling that has left the country unsatisfied, the once broad, firm power of Vice President Dick Cheney has gone soft and flaccid. Feeling performance anxiety concerning the management of the war in Iraq, prison detainee scandals, and secret domestic wiretaps, Americans have tired of laying lifeless under the grinding authority of the VP's shadowy presence. On hand job performance numbers indicate Cheney polling somewhere in the 2os.

This is certainly a blow to the administration, and strains relations between the VP's office and the rest of the executive, making things very hard on Dick. Cheney's power grew turgid early in the Bush administration, stimulated by the events of September 11th, when he hoped to restore to the executive branch the authority he believed forfeited to the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. In doing so, the Vice President wielded his power expansively, swinging it in the face of detractors, and using it to repeatedly ram through legislation and legal changes suiting his goals.

Today, the Times reports that many of the crucial decisions coming out of the Oval receive more input from other sources, including Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. No internal sword fights have been publicized, though Cheney has clashed with party leaders, including Senators McCain and Warner over detainee policy.

Mr. Cheney dismisses the notion that his influence has wilted, saying it's not the size of your power that matters, it's how you use it. “History will decide how I did,” Cheney offered in response.

To date, no calls have been made to Bob Dole.