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White House fires back at Dick Cheney over 'dithering' remarks

By Michael O'Brien - 10/22/09 12:04 PM ET

The White House blasted former Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday for his criticism that the Obama administration is "dithering" on Afghanistan.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs went after the former vice president, suggesting that Cheney's call for quick action in Afghanistan from President Barack Obama contrasts sharply with Cheney's own record while in office.

"What Vice President Cheney calls dithering, President Obama calls his solemn responsibility to American men and women in uniform, and the men and women of this country," Gibbs said in his daily briefing.

"I think we've all seen what can happen when somebody doesn't take this responsibility seriously," Gibbs added.

Cheney launched one of the most stringent criticisms of the Obama administration's approach to Afghanistan in a speech Wednesday evening, suggesting that Obama "seems afraid" to make a decision on Gen. Stanley McChrystal's recommendation for more troops in the country.

"I think it's a curious comment given, I think it's pretty safe to say, that the vice president was for seven years not focused on Afghan," Gibbs said. "Even more curious given that an increase in troops sat on desks in this White House, include the vice president's for more than eight months."

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/64315-white-house-fires-back-at-cheney-over-dithering-remarks

Comments (27)

The report sat on his desk because they made a deal with Opompous to let him see the plan. This White House could care less about our troops. Opompous has visited Walter Reed only ONE TIME. He has not been to Iraq or Afganistan to see the troops.What a mistake putting a child in a man's job. I don't even think Opompous was a cub scout.BY fishergirlusmc on 10/22/2009 at 13:36
Good job on the straw man, Gibbs! "Well, let me not answer your questions at all. Instead, let me tell you how I think OTHER people dropped the ball." You fools. Who CARES what Cheney did? The ball is in YOUR court NOW! NOW! Can you people PLEASE make a decision and stop blaming others for your ineptitude?BY Dante on 10/22/2009 at 13:47
Hey Dante - It's ironic NONE of you spoke up during the last administration. Why is that? Cheney has got the audacity to open his ignorant mouth? I noticed he only did it in front of HIS folks not the people who don't buy into his BS. He's nothing but a murderer and would send more men and women out to die just because he could. He doesn't give a rats patootie about these kids. Now Obama said in the beginning (and wonders why he keeps having to repeat himself) that he would not send another man or woman to Afghanistan without knowing what the strategy was or if it was worth it. And I don't blame him. Obama is not Bush or Cheney and the majority of us are glad he's not. He knows exactly what he's doing so just let him do it. So if it takes another month for him to decide, so be it. Either way, he's going to at least try to get it right. Either deal with it or put on a mofo uniform and put your word where your mouth is.BY TRUTHBETOLD on 10/22/2009 at 14:11
They're playing their game of "Obama, Obama, Goose" again. Read more at www.fishygov.wordpress.comBY Fishygov on 10/22/2009 at 14:13
Fisher - if the White House could care less about our troops, why not just agree to send more to die in an unwinnable situation? Your nickname for Obama is amusing, considering how un-pompous he seems.Dante - When the people who dropped the ball on their watch start coaching from the sidelines, it really isn't all that surprising that the White House would devote 30 seconds to rebut the criticism. Let's hurry them up - faster decisions are much better than well considered decisions.BY IQhigherthanU on 10/22/2009 at 14:15
They can take our tax dollars by the trillions but take no resposibillity…BRILLIAN T! I wish I was a Liberal. Because with my head so far up my rear, I would never have to by another hat.BY John Wheeler on 10/22/2009 at 14:16
Welcome back for another fun day of The Blame Game and our host Barack Hussein Obama - tell them the great gifts we have on todays show Gibbzy. Good grief … what the [***] have we done letting this guy be in charge of more than himself - he had his hands full then.BY Mornin Joe on 10/22/2009 at 14:25
They seem to be able to campaign, but not govern. I hate to say "I told you so", but…BY Stan on 10/22/2009 at 14:42
It is Oslo who has taken his eye off the ball. He only scheduled a lot of meetings on the subject after the report was leaked by someone to Bob Woodward. (My speculation is the leak did not come from the military.) The military's frustration with Oslo is caused by his meandering. It is a problem which grows day-by-day and he caused it. The Sgts and Lts and Cpts are face-to-face with an emboldened and beastly enemy. Meanwhile Oslo hands out medals and receives them, but will not reinforce the Marines and the GIs on the ground and in the fight. VA benefits and fine speeches will not cut it. Ivy league type delaying tactics are a confession of weakness. Not since Lyndon Johnson have we had a President who would not listen to his military leadership. Oslo fears the fury of his leftist base, but if he punishes the troops by his inaction and loses the support of the military, he will lose the entire country as well as a war. Obama is acting like someone who has never been in command. It has nothing to do with being a discussion MC. The troops deserve better.BY graham on 10/22/2009 at 14:54
IQHIGHERTHANYOU : How would sending more troops prove that he 'does not care'? I think that you and TRUTHBETOLD may have misunderstood that the REASON for sending more soldiers is to reinforce our men and women currently there. The President would do well to realize that his "solemn responsibility" also applies to our soldiers currently committed. What facts are you utilizing to determine that sending additional troops equates to additional casualties? I am a combat veteran and I am here to tell you that my experiences showed that the opposite is true. If you are talking about Vietnam, then you may wish to consider the fact that we committed forces in Vietnam piecemeal.BY Patrick Michael on 10/22/2009 at 15:11

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