Picture Please

So I'm relaxing at home Sunday night, flip by CNN and see ol Wolf Blitzer and pals talking about an announcement from the White House. Kind of an odd time, then BAM: BIN LADEN DEAD.

I've seen some reaction in the days since questioning the joy over his death. Put me in the "fine with it" camp. We're not judging him, we're just reacting to an event. The goal since September 11, 2001, has been "Find Osama." The SEALs did, they had the shot, they took it. I say we give those guys a couple weeks off then send them into Tripoli after Gadhafi and wrap that mess up in a nice little bundle.

So it's been a pretty solid week for Barack. Puts out the birth certificate, has a good time at the White House Correspondents Dinner, and bags one of the world's most wanted men. Just when our fearless leader has the chance to really pile up some good feelings, he STILL manages to fumble. The body was buried at sea within hours, and the White House then says they're not releasing photos of the body because they're too "gruesome." Hey, ever heard of this thing called "cropping" photos? Plus, the images of planes hitting the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, people jumping out of windows from the towers, and the towers themselves crumbling? All pretty dang gruesome, especially to the friends and relatives of those personally involved.

It took Obama two and a half years to release the birth certificate, though, so apparently he's not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. (Just for the record, I am NOT a "birther." If he had not been born in the U.S., somebody would have come up with proof by now.) I'm not asking for a 50-page album. Just a couple of photos of Bin Laden on a slab, that'll do.

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As for those who are going up against Obama, can somebody PLEASE go first? It's like taking a test, and nobody wants to be the first kid to take their paper up. As soon as someone does, there's a stampede. Right now the "field" includes:

FORMER GOVERNORS

Mitt Romney (Massachusetts) — Gave it a shot in 2008, has to fend off shots about the health care bill he passed in Masschusetts (so far going with the "just good for a state, not national" line). The religion issue (Mormon) doesn't particulary bug me. Obviously, the experience of last time helps, and he's got the whole "anchorman" look pretty well nailed.

Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota) — Like Romney, "T-Paw" served as governor of a "blue" state. I haven't heard him speak, so I don't know how he'll do under the national glare.

Mike Huckabee (Arkansas) — Surprised a lot of people early on in 2008. That will not happen again. Plus he's got a solid gig with a show on Fox News. Other than his first name, I'm not really much of a fan.

Sarah Palin (Alaska) — Three words PLEASE DON"T RUN. It was a swing for the fences move when McCain picked her for VP in 2008. She'd be fine as a primetime speaker at the convention and fundraiser, but there's no middle ground with her. It's like or HATE and that won't fly.

Gary Johnson (New Mexico) and Jon Huntsman (Idaho) — Who? Exactly.

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CURRENT GOVERNOR

Mitch Daniels (Indiana) — Gettling a lot of pressure to declare. Ran the OMB at the beginning of the Bush administration, nicknamed the "Blade" for budget cutting. (Kind of like Caspar Weinberger was "Cap The Knife" back in the 70s). Did some major budget work in Indiana, including a cap on property taxes. Backed school vouchers, fought the unions, and passed restricted abortions. If he runs, he's my second pick (see next paragraph).

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FORMER SENATOR

Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania) — JOIN THE FIGHT! I've been a Santorum backer since his first Senate run in 1994. He is a warrior on social issues, and can get a crowd going like nobody's business. Should still be in the Senate, but got caught in a bad cycle for the GOP against a pro-life Dem with a solid name (Bob Casey Jr.). Has knowledge of foreign policy issues from those days. #1 on my draft board.

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FORMER SPEAKER

Newt Gingrich (Georgia) — Lots of experience. No chance at the nomination. Same advice as Palin. Raise money, back House and Senate candidates.

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REPRESENTATIVES

Michelle Bachmann (Minnesota) and Ron Paul (Texas) — Former is the 2012 version of Palin. Latter should team up with Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. (Paul? Yes, I'm Mr. Paul. No, I want Paul. Paul who? In the words of Kenny Banya, "It's gold, Jerry. Gold I tell ya!)

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BUSINESSMEN Donald Trump (NY) and Herman Cain (Georgia) — Somebody please tell Trump to HUSH. Obama releases the birth certificate, and his response is "well what about his college transcript?" Good grief.

As for Cain, he is the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza. Yes, this is an offer we can refuse.

And to everybody who says Obama can't be beat? Ask George H.W. Bush and Bubba Clinton about that.

More down the road. ALOHA!