GOP in exile? Looks like they negotiated from the position of minority in the Senate yesterday pretty effectively. Now over 40% of the stimulus bill is exactly what they want, their panacea: A TAX CUT!

Yes, when there was a budgetary surplus way back in 2000, the ideal place to spend it? A generous tax cut. When times are good, a tax cut is the cure. When times are bad? A tax cut is the perfect solution.

Don't get me wrong. There are several socially moderate Republicans who rant this battle cry that I actually like and admire. Some are not so moderate and have earned my respect. But the clowns like Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Kit Bond who just spout the party line ad nauseum and without original thought need to really go away. In exile. Permanently.

My favorite part of this has to be that this coincides perfectly with the GOP stance that states should have more power over the federal government. I really, really, want to see him call their bluff. And then I really, really want to see the maple statey's waiting at the state border or airport when he arrives.

I used to go to the Fly Fishing Museum in Vermont with my Dad. That place is forever tainted to me now that I know they invited Cheney as a "guest of honor". Unless, of course, they did it to try and bait Cheney into getting arrested. Get it? Bait? Fly Fishing?