Back in the good old days when we all still had jobs and Bush was running for his second term, Zogby/Williams came up with the brilliant idea to poll people, asking if they would rather have a beer with Kerry or Bush.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents actually picked Bush. And I guess I would too, with certain qualifiers, like a guarantee of non-stop Beavis and Butthead or the Three Stooges rolling in the background. We’d at least have something we could both discuss at length. Too bad I would have been the only one drinking, and drinking heavily at that. Another Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, STAT.

The Obamas on the other hand, free of the socially awkward behaviors that go along with drunk driving arrests, are social people who actually enjoy a party. They like people. Weird idea for people in the business of governing, I know.

Planning to host regular Wednesday night Happy Hours, the Obamas have launched what Politico calls a “bipartisan charm offensive.” 

Gracious, warm behavior has a long history of pissing people off on both sides of the aisle, so the Obamas had better watch their backs with this kind of a move. Obviously, this plan of inviting the other side into one’s home and handing them a drink and a gnosh is designed to let people know exactly where they stand when it comes to this issue of working together.

Plus, after the partisanship that eventually engulfed this latest stimulus package, it wouldn’t hurt to mend some fences over a brewsky and some karaoke. I bet Obama picks “Total Eclipse of the Heart” every single time it’s his turn.

But let’s get back to the real issue. Make my martini vodka, up, and dirty, with blue cheese in the olives, thank you. I do hope they get around to inviting me.

Tags: booze, government, politics