Cheney Calls Obama "Radical," Says 9/11 Trials a "Huge Mistake"

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

(AP)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday continued to press against President Obama's plans to fight terrorism both domestically and abroad.

Appearing on Fox News, Cheney said the administration's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other men allegedly behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a civilian federal court was a "huge mistake."

The trial would allow Mohammed an opportunity to "generate a whole new generation of terrorists,'' he said, and make him "a hero in certain circles, especially in the radical regions of Islam around the world."

As for the president's decision to escalate the level of troops in Afghanistan and to potentially begin withdrawal in 2011, Cheney said the plan was "better than withdrawal now" but still vindicates Al Qaeda strategy that "if you kill enough Americans, you can change American policy." Senior Obama administration officials have repeatedly insisted the 2011 goal is not a deadline for the war and that the U.S. wants to start transferring responsibilities to Afghan forces at that time.

The former vice president also repeated his previous assertion that he thinks Mr. Obama is a "more radical'' Democrat than he first appeared to be. Cheney gave similar criticisms of the president during an interview with Politico as well as in earlier interviews.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by steeepe December 10, 2009 12:08 PM EST

Cheney is a traitor and should be tried for war crimes. He's also a liar and an idiot.

Reply to this comment


by Leaderless January 1, 2010 7:02 PM EST: Only in the libs mind that destroying the enemy is a traitorous act....
Speaking of lying and idiocy, where is bho?


by lovenpeace1 December 9, 2009 7:15 PM EST: by hermitdave December 9, 2009 4:53 PM EST
"...3---Why did the Cheney administration loose interest in Osama and decide to KILL Saddam Hussein?..."

************************

Hey hermitdave,
http://zfacts.com/p/775.html

Do I get an 'A+' or an 'A' for my answer on your exam?; Reply to this comment


by lovenpeace1 December 9, 2009 7:13 PM EST: Hey hermitdave,

Answer to question number 4:

Why America invaded Iraq to kill Saddam Hussein:

http://zfacts.com/p/775.html; Reply to this comment


by cgillasp December 9, 2009 4:28 PM EST: Oh ok, so fighting terrorism is more important than due process? If the man is guilty Cheney let him face a court. For better or for worse that is the way we do things in America. We all submit to it Cheney, is there some reason it's not good enough for you? How would you improve it Cheney, please tell us.; Reply to this comment


by scoobydob December 9, 2009 4:17 PM EST: he's probably just upset he couldn't give another set of unbid huge contracts to his cronies so they can get even richer and he won't get to cause the unnecessary deaths of our military personnel.; Reply to this comment


by unshrub December 9, 2009 3:59 PM EST: Cheney is a huge mistake!; Reply to this comment


by zootsuithap December 9, 2009 3:55 PM EST: Try Bush and Cheney? And all the Dems that beat the drums leading up to the Iraq War? Oh, I keep forgetting, the dumbest president in US History duped all 400 plus members of Congress to voting for the Iraq War Resolution, and the UN, and the Brits... what a farce you are to believe that lib talking point.; Reply to this comment

by zootsuithap December 9, 2009 3:41 PM EST

boozos- these cowards are going to freakin' walk. They were never read their miranda rights, imprisioned for 8 years with out trial, or access to attorneys, never charged with a crime, not to mention the poision of the venue (NYC) or the fact that the chief law enforcement officer in the land has PREJUDICED the trial with his big mouth.

YOU DON'T GIVE WAR CRIMINALS OR POWS US CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!!! NEVER HAPPENED SHOULD NEVER BE HAPPENING

A 3rd year law student could set these dudes free.

Reply to this comment


by slownewsday-5 December 9, 2009 3:51 PM EST: Yep - we should probably be trying Bush and Cheney first.

Go ahead and set the terrorists free - right into the streets of NYC. See how far they get....


by unshrub December 9, 2009 4:04 PM EST: You sure have little faith in our legal system.

by KabulsHere-0003 December 9, 2009 3:39 PM EST

"The trial would allow Mohammed an opportunity to "generate a whole new generation of terrorists,'' he said, and make him "a hero in certain circles, especially in the radical regions of Islam around the world." "
************************************

Agreed.And in 2012 another real man from the GOP will have to rise and fight those new terrorists.

Reply to this comment


by slownewsday-5 December 9, 2009 3:50 PM EST: "The trial would allow Mohammed an opportunity to "generate a whole new generation of terrorists"

So Gitmo hasn't already done much of the same? Get real.


by unshrub December 9, 2009 4:09 PM EST: You should read more and talk less. The US Supreme Court has already stated that these trials do not have to handle the evidence the same way, in other words, their situation can be treated differently. You also seem to ignore that New York federal district has already prosecuted many terrorists, and they have a very good conviction rate. Maybe you shouldn?t let your hatred of Obama cloud your intelligence quite so much


by egresor December 9, 2009 3:22 PM EST: LOL

obama is a bigger radical than he first believed?

LOL

that from one of the most radical conservatives this country has ever seen!

LOL

cannot recall, but i wonder if he spoke so forcefully when they tried tgose previous terrorists trials in new york?

how about it mr cheney?

did you lambaste rudeee guiliani when they tried them there before?

as i recall mr cheney didn't cry foul then?

did he?

for all the lies and falsehoods presented by cheney---he should be on trial right along with them!

speaking of 9-11

did you all see this

(of course the networks ignored it completely and why? we got tiger woods is why!!!)

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message933086/pg1

lies lies lies lies lies lies; Reply to this comment