Rosen Cannot Find Cheney Country

Hilary Rosen, on vacation at Jackson Hole, was curious if Cheney Country still existed . It doesn't, thank goodness.

Excerpts:

-- In the leather shop in downtown Jackson, in walks a couple with polo shirts monogrammed with the VP seal and "Vice President Cheney Summer 2007" (or something like that) embroidered in gold. They pull out a big silver belt buckle with the VP seal on it as well and tell the woman that they are in from California for a big donor party at the Cheney's. They wanted to know if she could make them a belt for their shiny new buckle. Gee "that's cool, I say... how was the party?" "Well it was just a great time, the Cheneys are wonderful hosts and they made us each feel so special." "Did anyone talk about the war or the trouble with the economy that is emerging or the upcoming clash the White House is gong to have with Republicans in the Senate?" "No way", they say, "why would we talk about that when there is nothing good to say about it?"

-- A gas station in Dubois. I talk to a dad in a pickup truck as we are both filling our tanks and watching our kids fight. "I guess you guys in this part of the state are pretty proud of Dick Cheney" I say. "Why would you think that?" he says. "This guy is bringing our country down. I have one cousin in Iraq and we can't keep any jobs around here"

-- The Wind River Indian Reservation. Stop at a scruffy cafe for some cold drinks. A lovely native American woman is at the counter smiling. "Has Dick Cheney ever been through here?" I ask. "He used to come regularly," she says "but he hasn't for a few years. He hasn't shown up on the reservation since so many of our boys went off to Iraq. I suppose it is best for him not to come at this point since I doubt there would be any open arms."