Cheney: Obama Has Learned That Bush Policies Were Right
- Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:41pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Since he took office two years ago, President Barack Obama has “learned from experience” that some of the Bush administration’s decisions in the war on terror were necessary, former Vice President Dick Cheney told NBC News Monday. (h/t The Hill)
In his first interview since undergoing major heart surgery last summer, the former veep suggested that President Obama has had to rethink some of his past national security positions now that he is the nation’s leading decision-maker. “I think he’s learned that what we did was far more appropriate than he ever gave us credit for while he was a candidate. So I think he’s learned from experience. And part of that experience was the Democrats having a terrible showing last election.”
In addition, despite his promise to close the U.S detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cheney predicted that Obama has had to rethink his position when faced with the serious ramifications of such a decision. “I think he‘s learned that he’s not going to be able to close Guantanamo,” Cheney said. “That it’s — if you didn’t have it, you’d have to create one like that. You’ve got to have some place to put terrorists who are combatants who are bound and determined to try to kill Americans.”
The Obama’s expanded use of predator drones also signaled a change in mentality, the former vice president suggested. “They’ve gotten active, for example, with the drone program, using Predator and the Reaper to launch strikes against identified terrorist targets in the various places in the world.”
In addition to his political observations on the Obama presidency so far, Cheney also spoke candidly about his own health as his recent weight loss was visibly apparent. Last July, doctors implanted a device into his heart to help blood flow.
In light of the recent Tucson shootings that left six people dead and injured 13 others, Cheney warned against blaming heated political rhetoric, placing blame squarely on the alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner.
“I think the event was caused by a deranged individual. And — that’s where we ought to look in terms of trying to assess guilt,” Cheney said.
“I don’t think we should anticipate that we can somehow take a system that was designed for political combat, if you will, between the parties, between ideas, between principles and set that aside. I wouldn’t want to do that,” he said. “That’s the heart and soul of our political system. And that’s basically a good thing.”
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Comments (112)
mossbrain
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:30pmI bet if you had Chenny drink 2 pots of coffee he’d look just like Jared Loughner.
Report Post »jburke4
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:06amI’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than have a beer with Obama.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:26pmMove him out. Impeach him. Repeal Obama/Pelosi/Reidcare. Cut government. Pay off the debt. Incur no more. Cut, cut, cut.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:26pmWow, this story is sending the Democratic Underground bonkers. I love it when a good plan comes together to send the left wing loonies sound more mental. Way to go Cheney.
Report Post »huntee
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:25pmLiberals are dumb, John Kerry got his nipples pierced when he heard that George Bush had a Dick Chainey.
Report Post »He knows how to get under Liberals skin, pity he wasn’t younger he would get my vote
ULYSSESG
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:23pmIt takes one 4 plus years to get a degree and 2 years to back peddle ?
Report Post »Can we agree that for 2 years atleast your consitent in voting “ absent” as President..
I Pine for Carter…I mean atleast he would put some sweat equity into building me a FREE
( PAID VIA TAX PAYERS) house. How come Barry doesnt do the same for Detoit ? Weird….
EZDOZIT
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:21pmThey call us the Right, because we are Right!
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:21pmI can sincerely says this: IF THE ‘TONE IS TURNED DOWN’ IN THE DISCOURSE, AMERICA WILL LOOSE. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROGRESSIVES WANT.
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
Report Post »Ronald Reagan
TakeBackAmerica
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:33pmLoose? LOOSE? it’s spelled LOSE, LOSER!
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:37pmI wouldnt go down the spelling queen bee road dude.
Nobody spell checks before they post.
Report Post »TakeBackAmerica
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:04pmlol it‘s just that people who can’t spell ‘LOSE’ make me crazy!
Report Post »OnGoingHost
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:18pmLiberals tend to ignore facts and reality that don’t fit into their ideology, Obama might have learned something but he won’t change his point of view nor his policies.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:18pmI told a dumbass liberal once that if he said Halliburton three times while looking into a mirror
Report Post »Dick Cheney would appear
Center right
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:17pmExcept for the ones when he let Nancy tell him what to do. Bush was better than Obama!!!
Please support My new Blog called Freedom Apparatus. I am a Journalism and Mass Communication Major and a Political Science and Government minor, and I also believe that we do not have enough Fiscal Conservastive Journalism in the press (believe me, it is true) and I think we need more. I am still in my first year, but figured that I should get a start now. Thank you, and God Bless you all.
Report Post »Freedom Apparatus—
http://tbladel.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/power-tactics-by-the-left/
Kastrioti
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:17pmSame crap different pile
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:08amExactly.
After all that has happened, I can’t believe people here are still sucked into the “Bush vs Obama” charade.
People here bash Obama and the Democrats for corruption, yet remain clueless about the other side of the regime. There’s no hope left.
Report Post »Bamahillbilly
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:13pmWith all the medical tuneups Cheney’s getting”" by 2012 I hope we can vote for ROBO CHENEY!!
Report Post »Cheney and Palin would have my vote!!!
MrButcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:18pmno palin
but
Cheney/Hitchens
I like that
Report Post »Bamahillbilly
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:10pmOk Butcher, I’m in
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:11pmcheers to Cheney.
He’s got some true wisdom.
——-
(i know my liberal friends hate him and will make a field day out of this)
but I say
drive on
it don‘t mean nothin’
———————————
I’ll go one further
Dick Cheney for Prez ‘12
I mean it.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:01pmthank god for Cheney and Bush, OneBadAssMistakeAmerica has not learned a thing… He is trying to save his sorry ass. Don’t fall for it america, a zebra can’t change it stripes and neither can Obama, he has no clue and hates America
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:17pmgive Obama some slack…
he doesn’t want to crusify you or take away your rights, religion or money.
if you feel you “understand” him and our current situation so well and feel you can help…write him
here
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
shut up or put up
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:31pmaaaaahahhahahaa
Mr BUTCHER
thinks Obama reads his email
AAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAAA
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:02pmdashprick
he doesn’t read it
but someone does.
that is the VERY NATURE OF OUR REPUBLIC
if you have something to publicly say and that serves the public good
say it.
express yourself.
————————
why do you fear tyranny so much when you refuse to take part in the republic?
man up
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:00pmDarth Cheney “More machine than man now, twisted and evil”…. Liberals worst nightmare Cheney/Palin 2012!
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:00pmOBAMA HAS LEARNED THAT BUSH POLICIES WERE RIGHT – And those misguided, uninformed Americans who voted for obama have learned that they made a BIG mistake. America’s one-term-disater-nightmare is winding down … Is it 2012 yet?
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:25pmhahaha, great name!!!
that whole “beck on bacon and eggs” and brainwashing episode was classic.
beck officially “jumped the shark” with that bit of pseudo-intellectualism
——————————————–
I’m now waiting for his “Jim Bakker” moment……….
cry us a river…..
Report Post »ReGul
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:46pmDon’t bank on it.
Report Post »Bamahillbilly
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:58pmBWAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the WH when they discuss this!!
Report Post »random357
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:54pmbarack hasn’t learned any thing.
Report Post »101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:12pmGolf
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:39pmhow to bow
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:53pmGod bless Dick Chaney for saying what needs to be said! Heated political give and take (without threats) IS the HEART AND SOUL of our political system!
Report Post »neverending
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:10amHe is a great patriot.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:49pmSince he took office two years ago, President Barack Obama has “learned from experience” that some of the Bush administration’s decisions in the war on terror were necessary,
________
Oh how I wish Obama had learned and had experience
Report Post »BEFORE
he got into the WH
Oh, God!
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:43pmDittos on that one. Obama is not nor ever going to come to the center. I wish people would stop dreaming that is going to happen. It may look like he is compromising, but watch the other hand, it is going to do the exact opposite.
Report Post »SHASTADIANE1
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:27pmOH GOD….I think all of us wish the BEST for our Country, and in our hope that we have leadership who will represent ALL and not only their own political agendas. I think maybe this is why people keep “hoping” he will move to the center. I don’t think he can. He is play acting right now. He is doing his song and dance trying to please everyone. No one can please all the people all the time…and he will have to eventually face this. The Left will eat their own, and he will find it out the further he tries to “work” with the right. At least that is my humble opinion.
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 9:55amYou are right on that one Shasta. Evil eventually consumes itself.
Report Post »Stronge
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:49pmI’m confused. I thought Obama was a communist hellbent on destroying America. Or a socialist. Or a Marxist. Or a Muslim. Or a Kenyan anti-colonialist. Or someone with a deep-seated hatred of white people or the white culture.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:55pm& your point is ????????????
Report Post »by the way all of the above :)
xoke
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:55pmI think he has socialist tendencies, with some marxism sprinkled around. Doesn‘t mean he’s not an idiot. Lots of socialists are idiots…actually, all of them by my count. ;)
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:58pmOnly a loon would think those things.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:05pmObama is Exactly like the uninformed-selfish-self-righteous college pseudo intellectuals I have known all my professional life. He’ll pretend to be anything BUT American.
Report Post »jburke4
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:04amHe seems more of the spoiled rich kid that has got ahold of his Dads car keys but doesnt know how to drive so he’s having fun until Dad grounds him.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:47pmBhahaha!!! That comment alone will make countless liberals heads explode!!! Just the sight of Cheney makes their slimey skin crawl. Obama is a complete dolt, the most unqualified person in any room. The White House janitor would be a better president.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:16pmHey, I am liberal and my head did not explode – I thought it was a good interview. But, he looks very fragile – I almost feel sorry for him. As for Obama – his 2nd term is a shoe in! http://wp.me/pYLB7-wu
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:37pmwalkwithme,
LOL
ROTFLMAO
I live in Rob Ford Town… better known as Toronto, Ontario..
Now you know why I’m laughing AT you…
Americanization is Salvation
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:59pmYou gotta love Cheney. He enjoys giving the other side a verbal punch in the nose at least every month or so. What makes it worse for the libs is that what he says is true, Obama slowly but surely is adopting Bush policies. http://guerillatics.com
Report Post »pavnvet
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 8:00am@walkwithme1966…I guess part of being liberal is being delusional..Will your head explode when he doesn‘t win in ’12, despite spending a billion dollars?
Report Post »vinnymac46
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:47pmAt least when President Bush “drove the car” Al-Queda didn’t dare try to slash the tires..how many attempted attacks have we had already since the “Obama America”???
Report Post »Eternal Lucy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:02pmGreat analogy!
I’m currently finishing up Decision Points and am more in awe of W than ever.
Report Post »Eternal Lucy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:11pmGreat analogy!
I’m currently finishing up Decision Points and am more in awe of W than ever.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:46pmPrayers for Mr. Cheney. He’s a true bionic man.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:42pmYeah, but will he admit it?
Report Post »exdem
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:29pmMiss you Dick!! I did not agree with the spending of the Bush/Cheney administration , but I felt a heck of alot safer than I do now. Obama has made our country weak and it’s people insecure. Our future depends on making sure this is his ONLY term.
kreese
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:35pmHow much more of this on-the -job training can this country take with this inept president?
GeauxAlready
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:45pmWatching the Obama Adminastration trying to fix the economy, is like watching a blind monkey hump a football. You just can’t believe your eyes…………………….
CatB
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 1:07amI know I slept better knowing Cheney had America’s back.
Jackers
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:15amIn my opinion, the only thing Barack Obama knows is how to give a speech and how to spread our wealth… Please may Dick Cheney be right in predicting that Obama will be a “one-term” president.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 8:47amit is obvious that obama does agree with bush on many things, obama ran on ending war in iraq, war in afghanistan, closing guitmo and ending the patriot act. We are still in iraq, increased troops in afghaninistan, guitmo has grown and the patriot act has been expanded. Don’t hear the left complaining
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 9:12amThe sad things is that so many people just don’t take the time to investigate certain things. If you look at certain key policies between the Bush and Obama administration you will find hardly any difference at all. Both big spenders, both support the patriot act, both have increased military spending, both continue the overseas wars not to win but to sustain presence. Despite each presidents differing rhetoric their actions on key agendas are similar. Why is this? Yes I know they may differ on certain social issues. But on economics they both were for the big government bailouts, remember it was Hank Paulson who pushed it very very hard (he was a Bush appointee). Again I ask why is this and so many people are missing it? Because certain “behind the curtain” powerful interests pull the purse strings of both parties and they can remain well hidden as long as the have the masses arguing over the front men. They can swing the pendulum from one side to the other, yet still accomplish their own agenda. I used to be pro-Bush until I started researching some of the things he did…..just look into how many executive orders he instituted effectively bypassing congress…..If we are true constitution loving conservatives then we have to admit Bush didn’t follow it very well at all. His administration also set the protocol for declaring Marshall Law…..how it was to be carried out and declaring the president to have legislative powers during that time. Scary stuff !!!
Report Post »The powerful men behind our politicians have rigged the game and most of us still don’t get it yet. Just look at certain key policies how they have either been continued or expanded, these same interests could care less about many of the social issues we fight about so they toss us a bone every once and a while to keep us lulled to sleep and sadly it has worked for far too long.
cnsrvtvj
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:54pmObama only appears to be moving to the center. He’s not nearly as skilled of a politician as Clinton was, so this will be an abysmal failure for him. I do agree that he probably has a much greater appreciation of the job after 2 years though.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – Check out the Loughner Zeitgeist connection
Report Post »timeout
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:02pmbho is NOT moving towards the right. he is a liar, and his apparent “move” is also a lie. good grief. and by the way, i am happy cheney has spoken. he has been demonized for decades…and is still standing for america. more than i can say for bho, and his ilk.
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:03pmI believe that Mr. Obama will say and do anything he thinks is needed to get re-elected with the idea in his mind that in his second term he can raise taxes and complete the socialization of the country. I also believe it will be a disaster if he gets elected to a second term. Our freedoms will be taken away one by one. This man is truly dangerous.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:05pmI agree timeout. Well said.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:29pmObama is not moving to anywhere.
Report Post »Its the media that wants us to think so.
TheAmericanRifleman
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:31pmDrop him like a hot potato.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:32pmWatch for democrats comming out of the woodwork wanting to restore America. They will try to steal the message that the GOP used to kick their collective asses in Nov.
Report Post »101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:54pm.
Job opening: US President.
Requirements: On the job training will be provided.
Benefits: Massive Wealth, Pivate Jet, Best Private Health Care, Vacation & Golf Year Round!
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:04pmAt the risk of being shot in the face………
Report Post »As a former Marine and one who was in Iraq in 2005, Cheney is as much to blame as BHO. Bush along with him. Bush was a RINO in the worst case, and Cheney was an opportunist who made BILLIONS off the backs of all the contractors overseas. In my opinion, they are BOTH part of the NWO that started as SOON and George Bush SR. was forced on Ronald Regun as VP in his first run as Prez in ‘80. (research this, it will shock and awe you). Now, it took me a LONG time to come to this conclusion after MUCH research, and let me assure you, Rush/Palin/Beck/O’Rielly had NOTHING to do with it…..along with “Prison Planet”…..those guys are just nuts.
I see, and have seen for MANY years, the rise of the UN as the global power that seeks to “unite” the world under its own agenda. And i for one, as a sovereign citizen of the United States, and Former Marine, will NEVER stand for this to happen, NEVER under MY watch!
Am I mad? HELL YES! Am I calm and patient? HELL YES! I will only act to react, and will protect mine to the end, but never preeminantly. Just know that when you eff about in MY neighborhood, you better have eaten your wheaties, cuz you will be made to dance.
oldguy49
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:13pmhe will only move til he{hopes}gets reelected and then will be a very sharp left turn to finally destroy the country he was elected to protect!!!
Report Post »jburke4
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:20pmYes but what could piss the progressives off more? Obama moving to the center or Cheney pointing out that this move to the center is based in Bush policies?
Report Post »WhatTheHuh
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:48pmThe difference between Obama and Clinton is that Clinton was more of a centrist (left of) to begin with. Dick Morris has often related the story of how Clinton, forced to the left by the uber-liberal in his party, supposedly told him at one point that he “didn’t recognize himself anymore.” I think Clinton was more than happy when the Republicans took over in ‘94. Obama, on the other hand, is far left and will pretend to be a centrist if it can get him elected again. Once elected he will return to trying to push his far left/progressive policies. Even now he’s suddenly attending church again, trying to convince the voters that he’s a religious man. Now I’m not saying that he has to be religious to get my vote (though it would be a plus for me), but please don’t insult my intelligence by doing token acts and pretending you actually go to church every Sunday. That kind of cynical politician is why people dislike D.C.
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