(CNN) - White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs fired back Thursday at the latest criticisms from Dick Cheney, and suggested the Bush administration did not send U.S. troops into foreign conflicts responsibly.
"What Vice President Cheney calls 'dithering,' President Obama calls his solemn responsibility to the men and women in uniform and to the American public," Gibbs said. "I think we've all seen what happens when someone doesn't take that responsibility seriously."
Gibbs' comments come a day after the former vice president issued a blistering a wide-ranging critique of the Obama administration's foreign policy, saying Obama appears "afraid to make a decision" when it comes to troop levels in Afghanistan, and the president's indecision is "hurt[ing] our allies and emboldening our adversaries."
In his comments Thursday, Gibbs said the delay over a troop decision in Afghanistan is largely due to the fact the Bush administration did not adequately assess the conditions in the country ahead of sending troops there.
"I think it is a curious comment," Gibbs also said, "I think it is pretty safe to say that the vice president was for seven years not focused on Afghanistan. Even more curious given the fact that an increase in troops sat on desks in this White House including the vice president's for more than eight months - a resource request filled by President Obama in March."
"I find it interesting that he's blaming us for something that he didn't see fit to do over, best I can tell, seven years of a war in Afghanistan," he added.
From CNN Politics
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Excellent response Mr. Gibbs. Keep up the good work.
Dick Cheney sure has a lot to say for a guy who helped leave such a freakin' mess behind for somebody else to clean up!
Cheney is a LOSER! He is directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of our military men and women and the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis!!!!!!
His BRASH AND ARROGANT self serving decision to go to a fake war should be a reminder to all of us that President Obama's intelligent and thoughtful 'dithering' is smart and welcome!
That's right. Cheney and his lapdog Bush didnt do anything except start a war in Iraq thus taking the focus off Afghanistan. We are so lucky this moron didnt run for president.
Until the day Saddam's WMDs have been found, and a genuine link between Saddam and the 9/11 attacks has been proven, Dick Cheney will continue to have absolutely ZERO credibility.
Bravo, Mr. Gibbs.
Cheney should just go away, as any arguement he has about Afghanistan is meaningless since he spent the whole time in the wrong war, dealing with the wrong enemy and looking for the wrong weapons.
Gibbs, just stick to what you do best, attacking Fox News, when you start talking about anything else you sound stupid.
Still dithering, and the answer to the brave men and women in the armed forces is... still waiting. If you're scared, just say you're scared.
Oh the glorious GOP and their leaders – Ex VP Cheney (The vice leader of two failed wars), Sarah (I quit) Palin, Glen (I did not go to college) Beck and last but not least Rush (I need another fix) Limbaugh. Just where would this country be without these hate mongers? Seriously, I am an ex-republican that is so happy that I now see the light.
Draft dodger Cheney to question anyone's courage is mind boggling. But that's what he is. He fails to protect the nation on 9-11; then gets thousands of soldiers killed to hide his weakness and failure of execution.
Dick and G.W. should have taken the time to think when in power. maby thay would have made a good decision,Your out now. Buy some beer and go hunt some birds, take G.W.Bush,Rove and Rumsfeld with you, have Karl be point man.
It's about time the gloves came off from the White House. If Cheney has all the answers why didn't we catch bin laden. All of our resources were spent overthrowing Iraq and hanging Hussein. We should have used more resources in Afghanistan and this war would not be in it's 9th. year, it would be over. Bush-Cheney let our military down in Afghanistan and the country knows it. They sent our military there without enough help, and sub-par equipment. Now all of a sudden it is a priority. Republicans you let our military and our country down, this is why I am no longer a republican.
The uslessness of talking on this issue is self evident.
Get it done and get our men and women home.
Does old Dick not realize that the people of America RETIRED him???
He need to go to the house and hush and rock on the porch!!
Chenny is a waste and no one should pay attention to his stupid comments. He is full of frustration because of his own failures and now he is lashing out at Obama. He caused the mess and for 8 years could not fix the mess. He is a disgrace to America and American values.
Way to go! Now that is the facts!
I think Obama is afraid actually. He promised over a year ago to bring back the troops, yet he hasn't been able to fulfill any promise whatsoever. He's afraid of saying how wrong he was about his assessment? He's afraid of asking advice of his own military leaders? He's afraid of committing troops because of an Afghan election? He's afraid of ignoring the left wing antiwar liberal base? All of the above?
Thank you Gibbs, I couldn't have said it better!!! They are just haters
Go Gibbs!!!
If Cheney and his puppet had been more afraid and were more responsible to the U.S. people, maybe we they would not have started 2 unnecessary wars.
I love Gibbs. He's so polite. Politly saying "shut up, Dick. You're an idiot."
Good for him....pure Hypocrizy...
Who cares what Chenney says? I didn't before and I am not about to now. ESPECIALLY now.
AMEN GIBBS!!!! Let's not forget that 9/11 happened on Cheney's watch, where he recklessly failed to take care of this country. Iraq happened on Cheney's watch, where he recklessly failed to take care of over 4,000 soldiers and recklessly killed tens of thousands of people who had zero to do with 9/11. Cheney – you have blood on your hands and your childish diversionary tactics will not distract the American people.