As an aside to what kind of problems can be created by a Vice President, what Cheney is doing right now on the international scene is pretty scary. Ever since the Georgia invasion began, there was the underlying possibility that the Bush administration had something to do with it, and as has been this presidency that did become the case. The continued attempt to challenge Russia via missile interceptors installations in Poland, supporting Georgia's inclusion in NATO, and other subtle insults, this administration was simply stirring the hornets nest. While in the midst of a cluster fuck of middle east problems and little hope until a new administration takes charge, why not awaken the "bear," as Russia was known throughout the Cold War. And just by chance, the new VP choice could give a shit about the bear as well. So, both the sitting VP and potential VP are willing to give the bird to the bear. She'll be protected from overexposure and open for questioning, but may be allowed to influence and/or set policy.
As is being shown by Cheney's swoop through Europe, this asshole and his chestpuffing ways of diplomacy do little to rebut the low level of respect we have garnered on the international scene. With her lack of international experience and her sarcastic, disrespectful speaking ability, what might we expect from Palin as VP? More of the same -- but without the 40 years of DC insider political knowledge our friend "Dick" has.
The thing is, Russia has it's own explaining to do:
European leaders have uniformly criticized Russia’s attack in Georgia and its recognition of two separatist regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but no clear agreement over how to respond has emerged.
So rather than figure out a diplomacy strategy to unify an agreeable response, our thoughtful administration instead sends Mr. Diplomacy himself, offering up Russian talking points and handing over statements they can post on the locker room bulletin board. That's it Dick, give em hell!
In Moscow, Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, defiantly dismissed criticism like Mr. Cheney’s during remarks to security aides, mocking the inability of the international community to press Russia.(emphasis mine)
The concern is, after the worse president in American history, with the most evil vice president in American history, what might happen with the least politically prepared VP in American history? Will she pick up where Dr. No left off, challenging the world with neocon/religiously developed ideas that "we are the US, the almightly, the never wrong"? The woman that believes the war in Iraq a "task that is from God."
Dick Cheney has had a pretty easy ride avoiding the press. Seems like it is only when he is in front of his minions, speaking at supporter type crowds (NRA as example... I'm sure a huge supporter of Palin as choice), that we get clips of his insulting statements. And now it appears it may be the same with Palin.
Which brings me back to the irony of her heartless and unscientific, i.e. irresponsible, approach to the polar bear. Will her braggadocio about how tough she's been - although veil thin - on corrupt government, used to sway political points into personal (and financially rewarding via oil and gas) beliefs about de-extincting (sic?) the polar bear, have some inclination of how she will address foreign relations with Russia. No respect for the polar bear, no respect for Russia, the bear.
Another reason why Sarah Palin's record and lack thereof are bad for America. No international experience, and a sitting VP that has done nothing to educate the uneducated on proper diplomacy.