Our geriatocracy

If anyone needed further proof that campaign regulation results in insurmountable incumbent protection, look no further than the stories on the day’s health beat:

1) Outgoing Vice President Dick Cheney throws his back out and has to be rolled to the finish line in a wheelchair. The guy honestly looked like Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Life, but at least he didn’t shoot another campaign contributor in the head.

2) Senator Teddy Kennedy collapses and Senator Robert Byrd becomes “emotional” and both have to be wheeled out during the inaugural lunch.

Kennedy and Byrd are arguably in better shape than Strom Thurmond, whose staff was basically holding him up with strings by the end of his tenure, but is this honestly the best representation we can get? It’s getting like Weekend at Bernie’s in here. These guys are out of warranty!