WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney departs on a weeklong mission to the Middle East on Tuesday to capitalize on the momentum created by a recent visit there by Secretary of State Condoleezza.
A senior administration official said President Bush asked Cheney to go largely because of his sparkling personality. He said, "This is our chance - the vice has a way with people, ya know. Nobody brightens up a room like Dick Cheney.”
To complement Cheney's lighthearted persona and demonstrate the administration is sincere about bringing peace to the region, Barney, the purple dinosaur, and Mr. McFeeley from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood will accompany the vice president.
The trio plans to deliver a message of love the administration feels cannot miss with the even the most reluctant Arabs. Barney adapted his well know “I love you – you love me” song for a new audience: “We love the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's love us. We’re a happy family.” And, McFeeley will be delivering hand-drawn card and pictures from American children to each Arab leader.
A senior administration official said President Bush asked Cheney to go largely because of his sparkling personality. He said, "This is our chance - the vice has a way with people, ya know. Nobody brightens up a room like Dick Cheney.”
To complement Cheney's lighthearted persona and demonstrate the administration is sincere about bringing peace to the region, Barney, the purple dinosaur, and Mr. McFeeley from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood will accompany the vice president.
The trio plans to deliver a message of love the administration feels cannot miss with the even the most reluctant Arabs. Barney adapted his well know “I love you – you love me” song for a new audience: “We love the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's love us. We’re a happy family.” And, McFeeley will be delivering hand-drawn card and pictures from American children to each Arab leader.
The administration official said, “Those middle eastern leaders won’t be able to resist the vice president’s charm – talk about shock and awe!"
