Oh man. One of Iraq’s “vice presidents” has challenged Dubya to a duel with Saddam.

Ramadan suggested instead that Bush face Saddam in formal duel — with their vice presidents as their seconds and the weapon of their choice.

“The American president should specify a group, and we will specify a group and choose neutral ground with (U.N. Secretary General) Kofi Annan as referee and use one weapon with a president against a president, a vice president against a vice president, and a minister against a minister in a duel,” Ramadan said. “In this way we are saving the American and the Iraqi people.”

Iraq has two vice presidents. Ramadan did not say whether he or Taha Muhie-eldin Marouf would take on Dick Cheney.

Ramadan, wearing a green uniform and a black beret, made his remarks without giving any outward sign whether he was joking although reporters who were present detected a note of irony in his voice.

That well-known Iraqi droll sense of humor, that only reporters seem able to detect.

I think Dubya should challenge Saddam to a marathon run.