It's a tough question. I decided to pose it to dkos after reading this excellent diary condemning the bomb attack against Cheney while he was recently in Iraq. Substitute any philosophically opposed official if you like, it's all rhetorical anyway.
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Although I also condemn the tactic of assassination as a cheat employed by terrorists, I admit that I personally don't know what my answer would be.
I do know that I would be strongly inclined toward assaulting the gunman, with the concern of innocent bystanders, and the "what if I was on a 9/11 plane?" impulse prodding me to act. I can't be the only one who's asked myself if I Have What It Takes to make a difference in a moment of terrible clarity...
I also am aware that Cheney as a martyr would be very frustrating to argue against from a progressive point of view, not to mention that there would be no chance of holding him legally accountable for his actions that we perceive as war crimes.
Would you risk your life to protect the Vice Presidency as an American Institution?
Would you you risk your life in the hopes that the Dems will get their shit together and send Cheney to the Hague?
Would you try not to get shot because you couldn't step in front of any one particular person?
Would you step in front of Al Gore?
Hillary Clinton?
Joe Lieberman?
Markos Moulitsas?
Baccaruda?