McCain Would Not Use Cheney's Words

Calls for Unity With President in Face of Former VP's Criticism of White House Policy as "Dithering"

(CBS)  Senator John McCain made clear that he and the Republican Party should send the message that they support whatever President Obama's strategy in Afghanistan ends up being, rather than send messages that the U.S. is "waffling" or "dithering."

In response to former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent remarks, in which he said, "signals of indecision out of Washington hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries," McCain said, "I wouldn't use that language."

Speaking Wednesday evening while accepting an award from the conservative Center for Security Policy, Cheney said, "The White House must stop dithering while America's armed forces are in danger."

Cheney continued: "Waffling, while our troops on the ground face an emboldened enemy, endangers them and hurts our cause."
On CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, McCain said, "I wouldn't use that language. The fact is, as I said before, we already have men and women who are in danger there now. The sooner we implement the strategy, the more we will be able to ensure their safety."

"Let's face it. The president, when he makes his decision — and again, I believe that he will have trouble with the base of his own party. And so the more united we can be behind him, I think the more the chances are of success and American public support," he said of recruiting Republicans to support the eventual Obama decision.

"Let's look forward. I want to support the president. I want this strategy to work. I know it can work, and I know it will work if . . . it's properly resourced.

Moderator Bob Schieffer pushed McCain on whether he thinks Cheney's remarks were "unhelpful."

"I don't know. I would leave that to others to judge, really," McCain responded.

[erb0087]

"Actually I don't agree with Cheney's sentiment."

Lieberman's sentiment, I meant.

[erb0087]

It's time for Joe Lieberman to address to D-ick Cheney, the same words he addressed to the Democrats, about 4 years ago:

"It is time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge... that in matters of war we undermine Presidential credibility at our nation's peril." - Joe Lieberman, December 2005.

(But don't hold your breath)

[erb0087]

Actually I don't agree with Cheney's sentiment.

That's always been the excuse Military Juntas use to seize and hold power, and to suppress dissent.

They're always supposedly only interested in "keeping the Fatherland safe."

When their real interest is the aggrandizement of political power through ruthless means.

[erb0087]

Conservative columnist George Will, an Obama critic, on Cheney's allegation that Obama is "dithering" on Afghanistan:

"A bit of dithering might have been in order before we went into Iraq in pursuit of non-existent weapons of mass destruction. For a representative of the Bush administration to accuse someone of taking too much time is missing the point. We have much more to fear in this town from hasty than from slow government action."

- George Will, on ABC's "This Week".

[OldBlighty]

Yes, well McCain's "go along to get along" attitude is one of the many reasons he's not President at the moment ...

[chonder2]

How dare you guys insult that Republican braintrust John McCain, who is known for his famous quotes since Nov 2008:

"Tax breaks for the wallstreet wealthy"

"What recession"?

"America is a nation of whiners"

"This country is in a mental recession"

"Regulation is marxism"

"Phil Gramm is an economic genious.Look what he's done for the country so far"

"The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act was good for America"

[briannorwood]

Cheney is an unpatriotic traitor in my opinion. He, of all people know that for a prior administration to criticize the current administration's policies is not only untoward, it is potentially damaging to our foreign relations efforts.

Now, I'm not saying he doesn't have the right, I just believe he has a patriotic duty to keep his snarling mouth shut.

[ianlou]

Cheney started his political career in the Nixon White House and has carried the Tricky-Dick Torch ever since.

[Author222]

Who cares what McLoser says. He lost the election and is just a RINO any how.

[sjc_1]

I thank God on a regular basis that Gramps and Caribou Barbie did not get in the White House. I shudder to think about Phil (nation of whiners) Gramm being an advisor and all the ignorance and stupidity that could come from that. There is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

[brianbwb-2009]

McSame started hes presidential bid with a "stay Bush's course" agenda, then switched, trying to steal Mr. Obama's "change" agenda statement, because he realized that America was about to elect our first "Black" president, rather than stay Bush's course.

Now it seems he wants President Obama to "stay Bush's course", even though he knows that it is not what America wants, or needs.

He should have just said it straight, he wants his 100 years of war, and he is afraid that Cheney will push the president too far, and Mr. Obama will decide to bring the troops home.

[babooph]

An intelligent war hero would not use the same words as a cowardly idiot-why is that no surprise?

[Live-free-or-die]

Screw McCain, he's a useless rhino.

[the74blaster]

Who cares what Cheney says. The Bush administration has no credibility left so why are we even discussing it? They are not worthy of the press time.

[stn_sage]

I agree with the other posters in believing that Cheney, McCain, and the rest of the GOP have no credibility on this...and most other issues...and time shouldn't be wasted even listening to them!

Their current operational mode is to see that President Obama fails, that conditions for average Americans decline, and our republic becomes the largest third world nation in the world!

THIS, being the case, their opinions mean nothing!

[nearl451]

Cheney and company had their chance in Afghanistan, but did NOTHING for focus on Iraq.

Shouldn't really even listen to Cheney on this topic.

[lmartink]

I think Cheney and McCain are very different. At least McCain is a quality, honest, and honorable guy. Cheney, on the other hand, is a lying, angry, opinionated jerk, who has been wrong for 8 years. Now that's a big difference.

[coralights]

McCain has not much credibility with me about anything - not after picking Palin as his running mate. Now he has just taken a position against net neutrality. Here is a man who admitted to knowing nothing about computers. He has received the most money in campaign contributions of all politicians from those who would want to charge us for using the internet. The internet is the last vestige of free speech in the world - and those with money want to take it away from the people - already the media is controlled by the rich. This is what McCain is all about and what the republican Party stands for - the 1% rich people controlling 99% ordinary people.