Even when he's smiling and atempting to not look evil, he still looks evil. Only a select few can pull this off. None of them have souls.Once again Obama administration officials found themselves refuting former Vice-President Dick Cheney's comments regarding the president's response to the botched Christmas Day terror attack. Cheney asserts that Obama's "low-key" response is proof the president "is trying to pretend we are not at war." Here's Cheney's statement in its entirety:

As I’ve watched the events of the last few days it is clear once again that President Obama is trying to pretend we are not at war.

He seems to think if he has a low key response to an attempt to blow up an airliner and kill hundreds of people, we won’t be at war.

He seems to think if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won’t be at war.

He seems to think if we bring the mastermind of 9/11 to New York, give him a lawyer and trial in civilian court, we won’t be at war.

He seems to think if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hard-core al Qaeda trained terrorists still there, we won’t be at war.

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Politico Quickdraw is for those busy readers who only have four-fifths of a second to get caught up on the most recent political controversies. Eh, maybe the article isn't that short, but it'll get you caught up while you tie your shoes before heading to work.

Was Obama's bow too low? Yes. Is it embarrassing. A little. Does it really matter. Absolutely not. This is really faux-controversy cooked up by the GOP. I often hear the argument that Obama is being overconcilliatory towards the international community. But let's be honest; thanks to G-Dub, our country has a lot to atone for. So, until foreign detractors start throwing shoes at our current President, I say we give the guy a break.

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Logic FAIL. Why are people so stupid?Both the American Medical Association and the AARP endorsed the House Democrats' healthcare bill Thursday. The endorsements represent a shot in the arm for the Democrats' healthcare reform efforts. The AMA's move is particularly significant since the group has historically sided against healthcare reform. The AMA's president, Dr. J. James Rohack, expressed that the legislation is "not a perfect representation of our views" but is close enough to merit their support.

The bill does include a public healthcare insurance option.

Democrats posted the 2,000-page bill, H.R. 3962, Tuesday and it's set to hit the chamber floor Friday, so your pledged 72-hour review period has already begun.

Pelosi asserted her confidence in the bill Thursday, stating that she will have the 218 necessary votes to pass it. Furthermore, President Obama plans to meet with congressional Democrats on Friday to review the legislation. Voting on the bill is expected to occur Saturday.

The passing of the House bill with a firm public healthcare insurance option is paramount if the Dems hope to keep the option during House/Senate negotiations. That's of course assuming the Senate bill, which will have an opt-out clause for its public option, passes. The House bill still has that big $1.1 trillion price tag to worry about, but I like the 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on $500k+ earners and $1 million earning families more than the tax on "Cadillac" plans. A) It appears to be a steadier revenue stream and B) it doesn't hurt union members who exchanged higher salaries for such "Cadillac" plans that include more benefits.

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The far left soldier's eyes are quite poignant. What does he see?President Obama has had no lack of criticism from the right, and it would appear he need do little more than think critically to incur its wrath. The president is facing increasing pressure from Republicans to heed General Stanley McChrystal's request for 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the American public are increasingly unsupportive of the war effort. From June to September the percentage of those who think U.S./NATO troops in Afghanistan should stay until the country is stable, has dropped from 57% to 50% while those in favor of withdrawal has in increased from 38% to 43%. The decision to approach Afghanistan with either a counterterrorism or counterinsurgency strategy is being described as the first major test for Obama.

This decision is obviously a non-issue for Republicans, who would have begun deployment of the 40,000 requested troops yesterday if not sooner. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is "deeply troubled, however, by reports that the White House is delaying action on the General's request for more troops and questioning its strategy after the president endorsed 'an integrated civilian-military counterinsurgency strategy' six months ago." The GOP often cites the post-surge success in Iraq and the Democrats disapproval of that plan. The Democrats are supposedly 'playing politics' with the war.

First off, it is overwhelmingly in the White House's as well as Democrats' favor to follow, in lock-step, McChrystal's troop demands. Why? Because potential political backlash from unhappy Democrats pales in comparison to the Republican backlash if Obama reneges on his counterinsurgency promise. Come midterm elections, Democrats are far from voting the opposing party in the event of a troop build-up. Most are still infatuated with their fearless, Nobel prize winning leader. On the other hand, Republicans (71% support keeping troops) and independents (51% support) would likely kick a fit. Democrats who won by narrow margins in historically red districts would likely not be re-elected, possibly weakening or dismantling their majority in the House. So, to all of those who think deliberation is 'playing politics,' sorry, you're wrong.

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