Cheney vs. Obama

I didn't watch President Obama's address at the National Archives last night.  He said that the U.S. went off course in the war on terror.  He argued against the use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods and in favor of closing Guantanamo, claiming those things did more harm than good.  Personally, I don't agree with him.

'The president unblinkingly, methodically confronted a string of national-security decisions that have drawn criticism from the political left or right. He called the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay an inherited "mess" that "has weakened American national security" by providing a rallying cry for enemies.'

Actually I think it's been a rallying cry for Democrats more than anybody else. 

Meanwhile former Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at the American Enterprise Institute.

"When President Obama makes wise decisions, as I believe he has done in some respects on Afghanistan, and in reversing his plan to release incendiary photos, he deserves our support," Cheney said. "And when he faults or mischaracterizes the national security decisions we made in the Bush years, he deserves an answer."

Cheney continued: “Though I'm not here to speak for George W. Bush, I am certain that no one wishes the current administration more success in defending the country than we do. ... What I want to do today is set forth the strategic thinking that drove our policies.”

"Watching a coordinated, devastating attack on our country from an underground bunker at the White House can affect how you view your responsibilities," Cheney said. "To make certain our nation country never again faced such a day of horror, we developed a comprehensive strategy.

It's interesting to note that favorable opinions of Cheney are on the rise.  I hope he stays out front on this.

(Updated at 8:07am.)

Comments

[Ol' BC]

If Cheney continues to garner favorable opinions look for a sudden lapse in media coverage. The media though they had hammered him enough to be looked upon as a buffoon. All at once Cheney is shown to have a pretty comprehensive understanding of what is going on in the world.

[Tom Bowler]

I'm sure the media would welcome a lapse in coverage as Cheney's popularity rises, but I'm not sure Cheney is going to oblige them by shutting up. One reason approval was (and is) so low for the Bush administration is that they didn't do any kind of a job defending their record or making the case for their actions. Cheney has decided it's time. And it's about time. The media may just be forced to cover him. FOX will.