Smart bombs

When Bob Dole ran for president, he carried an index card of the 10th Amendment for speeches on the conservative principle of federalism.

Conservatives have long touted states’ rights, routinely telling the feds to butt out and decrying nanny-state liberalism. Funny how quickly things can change in 10 years. Conservatives now push for federal controls that supersede state statutes in several areas, including:

•Assisted suicide and medicinal marijuana. The U.S. Justice Department unsuccessfully challenged a citizen-adopted initiative in Oregon that legalizes doctor-assisted suicide. It’s having more luck blocking medicinal marijuana laws in several states, including Washington.

•Tort reform. Among other things, the Bush administration wants a hard cap on noneconomic damages awarded by juries. This federal mandate would trump a wide variety of state statutes.

•Drug labeling. The Food and Drug Administration is about to adopt sweeping labeling laws that will replace stricter requirements in many states.

•Credit freezes. Congress may soon adopt a federal standard for when consumers can put a security freeze on their credit. The federal law would supersede state statutes that allow for freezes before consumers are the victims of a crime. Under the federal standard, you would have to be a victim first.

•Clean cars. The Bush administration is taking aim at clean-car legislation in several states (including Washington) that requires manufacturers to produce more environmentally friendly automobiles.

So what’s behind this wholesale flip-flop on self-determination? When it comes to assisted suicide and medical marijuana, it’s a clash between competing conservative views. As for the rest, follow the money.

See Dick. See Dick laugh. Now that Spokane is a disclosed location for a fundraising visit by Vice President Dick Cheney on April 17, you can bet it will be open season on hunting jokes. My advice is to go with it, Mr. Vice President. For instance, as you and your security detail approach the airport limo, how about yelling “Shotgun!”

Risk management. You can’t accuse Washington’s GOP Senate candidate Mike McGavick of caving to public opinion; he isn’t ducking the vice president, despite the Bush administration’s unpopularity.

As reported in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 32 percent of 800 likely Washington voters approved of President Bush’s job performance in a March 24-26 survey taken by a Republican polling firm. Also last month, a CBS News poll found Dick Cheney’s positive rating to be at 18 percent.

That might explain what happened last month in New Jersey. Cheney showed up at a fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate Thomas Kean, but Kean didn’t. At least not until Cheney left. Kean said he was stuck in traffic, but Newark media reported no congestion on his route.

In other news. “Katie Couric to CBS!” “New clues in Aruba case!” “Police break up baby-shower brawl!” “Tom Cruise abused by dad!”

I don’t have a point here. Just trying to increase readership.