Does the Veep have "the gout"?

The Washington Times is speculating that Vice President Cheney
is suffering from "the gout" but the White House does not want to
disclose that because it has the reputation of being a disease of
wealthy, elite, noble royalty. Horsefeathers.

My husband has "the gout" and believe me, we are hardly royalty.

Fact of the matter is, gout is very painful. When my husband goes
through an episode, he literally cannot have a sheet covering his feet.

But rather than letting the Left show how mean-spirited they are, the
White House is actually creating a story about not disclosing this whether
it is true or not. I say disclose it and let the Left look like the mean-
spirited, abusive people that they are. If the Left thinks it is a good
strategy to make fun of people who are in pain, let them. Let the chips
fall where they may.

Much better idea than to have a dozen reporters birdogging the VP,
staring at his feet, write dozens of stories speculating, bringing gout
experts on tv to analyze the VP's gait, doctor's appointments and
generally making this into a bigger story by NOT addressing it.

Wasn't it James Carville who said "when the opposition is drowning,
throw them an anvil"?