Karzai to Take His Talents to Minneapolis

Fake news by Andy Borowitz

WASHINGTON — In a three-way swap that may be unprecedented in U.S. history, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to become vice president of the United States, Vice President Joe Biden will become president of Afghanistan and Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

President Barack Obama made the stunning announcement at the White House today, using a PowerPoint demonstration to explain a personnel move that still left many scratching their heads. “I am confident that Hillary and Joe are up to speed and ready to go in their new jobs,” he said. “And I expect Karzai to be in shape by midseason.”

When asked whether the complicated swap might confuse voters in advance of the midterm elections, the president said, “I certainly hope so.”

If all goes according to plan, Clinton and Biden will assume their new roles effective immediately, while Karzai is expected to start at wide receiver against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 7.

While many in official Washington were trying to make sense of the announcement, former President Bill Clinton gave the three-way swap a thumbs up: “Everything about the phrase ‘three-way swap’ appeals to me.”

Journalist Bob Woodward, who was privy to the negotiations behind the swap, portrayed Mrs. Clinton and Biden as amenable to their new jobs, with only Karzai dragging his feet: “He was concerned that a football helmet would not fit over his precious hat.” Woodward said he had more inside information about the deal, “but I’m writing about it in a new book, which will be out later this week.”

Reached at the Vikings’ practice facility, Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre said he was “blown away” by the news: “I actually retired this morning, but this changes everything.”

Award-winning humorist, television personality and film actor Andy Borowitz is author of the book “The Republican Playbook.”

© 2010 Creators Syndicate