No good news with these relations.

Posted Oct. 17, 2007 – I have a theory about Lynne Cheney’s recent revelation that her vice president husband, Dick, and Sen. Barack Obama are distant cousins: The Cheneys are starving for a headline. I also haven’t ruled out the notion of political sabotage.

Just last week, Sen. Fred Thompson announced that Cheney’s daughter was joining his campaign for the White House, but the Tennessee Republican’s big news barely registered a blip on the political radar screen.

Yesterday, Lynne Cheney announced the astonishing “Obama connection.”  What impeccable timing. And what an incredible political strategy. Having Black lineage – fairly recent African roots, no less – certainly doesn’t earn you “Brownee” points in the Grand Old Party, but it can’t hurt Dick or Lynne’s political aspirations, since it’s clear they aren’t running for anything. 

But it sure can’t help Obama’s either. Remember, the Illinois Democrat already has folks asking if he’s Black enough – because of his mixed heritage and toned-down message on issues of race. While his father was born in Nyanza Province, Kenya, his mother, Ann Dunham, is a White woman from Wichita, Kan.; his parents met at the University of Hawaii and got married. For many Blacks, all you need is a couple drops of Cheney’s blood to automatically qualify you as a Caucasian. And shrewd politicos like the Cheneys certainly know that.

Lynne Cheney, who described the connection as “amazing,” said she “discovered” the family tie while working on her new book.  Her research led her to two French men who came to America from France in the 17th century.

You can bet that no family reunion is being planned at the Obama camp.  When notified of the purported relationship, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “Every family has a black sheep.” 

When asked if she would change her presidential pick, she quipped, “I should list it as evidence than I’m not a Clinton supporter.”

 For some, the connection might seem “amazing.” I find it suspect.

What do you think?