Needlenose

From the Associated Press today, covering Barack Obama’s appearance on a talk show:

Obama refused again and again during an interview that aired Sunday to give hints on whom he might pick for a running mate, but he did describe the qualities he’s looking for. Shyness and blind loyalty are not among them.

“I’m going to want somebody with independence, who’s willing to tell me where he thinks or she thinks I’m wrong,” Obama said in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The remark came in the twilight of the Bush White House, an administration famous — and much-criticized — for the value it has placed on loyalty within its ranks.

Silly, biased AP! Â The problem with excessive loyalty in the Bush administration isn’t that Dubya makes decisions, and Cheney simply says, “Yes, sir.”

It’s that Cheney makes decisions, and Dubya simply says, “Yes, sir.”