Biden Fears Terror Hit by Individual

(CBS)  Vice President Joe Biden says the Obama administration has made "progress in dismantling the hierarchy of Al-Qaeda," but he's "very concerned" about the possibility of an individual carrying out a terrorist attack in the United States.

In a wide-ranging interview with "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith, Biden also said the economic stimulus package is working better than people realize, adding that the best is yet to come from it - jobs creation. Biden also lamented the continuing gridlock in Washington, saying the political process there "broken."

When asked about his battle across the Sunday talk shows with his predecessor, Dick Cheney, Biden said he likes Cheney and doesn't question his patriotism - but that Cheney is "wrong" in repeatedly charging that the administration doesn't take terrorism seriously enough. "I just think he's wrong. He thinks I'm wrong. I think he's wrong," Biden remarked.

Does Biden think Cheney's criticism is based in politics or patriotism?

"I've never questioned another man's motive," Biden responded. " … I mean, it's almost like he forgot he left us a $1.3 trillion debt. There were two wars going on, one that was ignored, one was -- wasn't going all that well."

As for the administration not taking terrorism seriously enough, Biden asserted, "We have made more progress in dismantling the hierarchy of Al-Qaeda central. … and evidence of that is, now they're going to lone bombers as the means to get there. … I'm more worried about, and harder to detect, and I'm very concerned about a terrorist attack in the United States along the lines of the 'Christmas Day bomber.' You get a disgruntled student, someone who has some relationship with the United States who is -- able to be recruited quickly, able to be indoctrinated quickly. And they say, basically, 'Here's a bomb. Go do it,' as opposed to the kind of planning that's needed to pull off -- a very complicated 9/11.

"Am I less worried about an attack? No, I'm worried. Am I less worried about a catastrophic event? Yes."


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[JavMD]

Biden has it right: "but he's "very concerned" about the possibility of an individual carrying out a terrorist attack in the United States. "

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Did you expect to come from within your own countryman? Joe from Austin slams into IRS building?

Your administration and Congress-Senate are getting it wrong every day in every department of the government
IRS has no compassion (I got a $500 penalty even though I had an IRS processed check proving I paid my taxes!)
and now the VA can't find my active service DD214 so I can get VA health care !

OBAMA, telling the IRS and VA to stick it to us is having dramatic and drastic consequences.

Just like Columbine spread throughout the country, so will protests.. More than my whimpy postings

[noloyalisti]

irishamerican, the only problem is there was no chance of anyone in Iraq or Afghanistan doing any harm to us. Except for the Saudi terrorist that Cheney and Bush let in on 911.

And if you are old enough to remember Vietnam you know the corporate media would report everyone killed as Viet Cong (even women and babies). Anyone that was dead was an insurgent.

[Vetproud]

Looks like "noloyalisti" has been burning flags since Nam. Guess the name says it all. Another member of the blame america first and always crowd.

[JavMD]

to: noloyalist
didn't a terrorist try to ignite his 'underwear' in December on a flight as it was landing in Detroit. They are still coming even with the Obama in the White house. They would be coming to USA except we took the fight to their countries.. tying them up so they could not get on a plane. Sounds like smart fighting to me. take it to their country so you can sit around in peace in your comfy room on the internet without worrying the extreme terrorist knocking on your door.

But be careful, the Israeli hit squad is still on the loose and they're reading your posts. See anyone new in your office lately.. better sleep with a light on

[meshine]

It's a joke that people still listen to Dick Cheney. He played a huge roll in the illegal Iraqi war in which that country's intrastructure was totally destroyed and thousands of innocent lives lost. Cheney should be looked at as a war criminal that has so far managed to avoid being tried in the world court for his crimes against humanity. His crimes helped to destroy Iraq and has brought the American economy to the brink of disaster. This country may never recover from Bush/Cheney.

[iirishamerican]

You gotta break some eggs to make an omlet. Along with innocent lives there were thousands of terrorists and several camps that were destroyed before those camps trained some terrorist to come to your backyard and kill innocent people. All the thousands of taliban and people harboring terrorists that were sent running for the hills and into Afganistan. Iraq was not as innocent as you people think. Remember the whole war on terror thing.

[JavMD]

well.. here is one already ! (Plane flying into IRS building)...

whats sad is it is from one of US ! just another MIDDLE CLASS guy driven to insanity by the worthless government....

IRS and other agencies need to show a LITTLE compassion... maybe err on the side of the 'consumer' for once. I got penalized $500 and I even had 'proof' the IRS cashed my check!... I even had H&R Block call and tell them the error, they said they would review it. I got a letter and said I still owed them $500. I gave up and paid !

Glad i didn't own a plane

[peregrine3]

Yo Joe, watch under the bridges those trolls have very sharp teeth.

Any one individual has, is, and will do as they please, taking many of our loved ones with them. Impossible to catch all the sand falling through the strainer. Big fish, with big ideas are another story and I trust, unlike many, that our intelligence community, along with an international effort, is sufficient. We just are not privy to the goings on in the other dimention, hence the idea of secrecy. Trust me you don't want to know what going on and the vast number of politicians are not worthy of the trust in knowledge. They are basically automatons shilling for corporate america, while the other company of which I speak is there day in day out and not running for office but to protect our butts.

[lilbear925]

If you remember, Dich Cheney does not hold public office any longer. He is not the Vice President any more. He is a citizen, just like the rest of us. He is entitled to his point of view, but like the rest of us, he is not entitled to have it published regularly. He should just shut up and go away, unless he plans to run for public office soon. Then, he can propagate his lopsided opinions to try to win votes. Otherwise, he should sit down and shut up.

[votedforobama]

It's called free speech and it's protected under the first amendment. What gives you the right to tell anyone to sit down and shut up. Maybe you should move to Iran.

[cbs_bull]

Well, Cheney better uses all chances he gets to say something before American people send him to the Hell or a jail house ...

[7276sps]

wall street protects all our butts

[luckyturqoise]

with no jobs,now they are holding up the unemployment to people who really need it. In the name of God these people have children to feed,you think food stamps is holing it together. To those ignorant fat lazy bums in the senate who think we will waste the money as one slob put it ask our kids how it feels to go hungry? I bet they are not.You bailed out Wall Street to protect your ***** how about Joe Mainstreet???? Where are your souls??

[ringmaster76120]

Biden is a wing-man that doubles as comic relief. Biden says the government has never been more dysfunctional...What a slap in the face for BHO, Nancy and Harry. The Liberals own the House, own the Senate and own the White House and they are dysfunctional!...I know it is all Bush's fault.

[Vetproud]

Right on! even with overwhelming political power in the white house and congress and they still couldn't ram their goofy healthcare plan down our throats. Maybe their is hope for the average American.

[Holy_underwear]

Terrorist attack? I'd be more worried about Americans revolting more than Al Qaeda. Millions and millions without a job, got kicked out of their homes, and then got kicked out of the home they were renting from because the investment company got foreclosed. Displaced children.. There are more people in this country now with nothing else to lose, and more time on their hands.. Especially at a time when Law enforcement, schools, and other services being cut because local tax receipts aren't coming in.

[JavMD]

To HOLYunderwear< read the other news article, (worried about Americans revolting), its happened, irate resident and the IRS, plane flown into building.

Now I'm even going around and around with the VA Health Care, I served my country and they won't accept me.... They cant find my DD214 Honerable Discharge (from 1977). What a government we have !

No wonder the Mid EAST don't want our help for freedom and democracy. Just grease someone palm over there and you got your car registration etc etc