As a social worker and activist, I am intimately acquainted with compassion fatigue. As a hiker, I am familiar with the physical fatigue that turns one’s legs to putty on the downside of a mountain trek. As an avid reader and computer user, I know of eye fatigue. But there is apparently a new kind of fatigue plaguing many Americans that I have somehow managed to avoid. As reported by the Associated Press, it’s called “Cheney fatigue,” and it sounds truly horrible:

Cheney fatigue settles over some in GOP

Dick Cheney, who thrives on secrecy while pulling the levers of power, is getting caught in the glare of an unwelcome spotlight.

Once viewed as a sage and mentor to President Bush, Cheney has approval ratings now that are as low as — or lower — than the president’s. Recent national polls have put them both in the high 20s.

Bush’s decision to spare former Cheney aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison sentence has focused new attention on the vice president and his possible role in the commutation.

Cheney’s relentless advocacy of the Iraq war, his push to expand presidential authority and his hard-line rhetoric toward North Korea and Iran are raising concerns even among former loyalists now worried about the GOP’s chances in 2008.

It seems Cheney fatigue is settling in some Republican circles.

Republican strategist Rich Galen, who worked for both Bush and Bush’s father, said he is finding less interest or enthusiasm for Cheney. “Republicans have, in essence, moved on and focused on who to get behind in 2008,” Galen said.

Cheney has drawn criticism and ridicule from Democrats for his close ties to Libby and for his contention — later modified — that his office is not “an entity within the executive branch.” ….

Is anyone listening to Cheney any more?

The vice president shuffled alone and in silence out of a luncheon of Republican senators last week amid defections on Iraq by GOP senators and as the administration’s immigration overhaul went down to defeat.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, branded as “unfounded” Cheney’s claim to extra protections for his office because of his constitutional powers to preside over the Senate and break ties.

“I don’t think he handles too many documents in that capacity. He handles a gavel. That’s about all he handles,” Specter said in an interview.

Added Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: “I don’t know what he meant by that. I think he understands what his role is.”

Still, Hatch said, Cheney continues to be valuable to the president. “Everybody knows he’s a straight shooter.” [full text]

“A straight shooter”? I think that Harry Whittington, the “78-year-old attorney from Austin [Texas] who wound up on the wrong end of the Vice President’s quail-hunting gun,” might disagree. Cheney Fatigue was the least of his problems. And, frankly, it’s the least of ours. This country is in deep doo-doo thanks to arrogant scofflaws like the Veep. We should be less worried about Cheney Fatigue and more worried (and fatigued) about what happens when the powers-that-be follow their Dick.