NEW YORK (CNN)– Controversial freshman Rep. Alan Grayson, who has become famous for attacking the Republicans' health care plan, went on the attack again Friday night, calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire for his recent criticism of the Obama administration's handling of the war in Afghanistan.
"I have trouble listening to what [Cheney] says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he's talking," the Florida Democrat said on MSNBC's Hardball Friday night. "But my response is this: he's just angry because the president doesn't shoot old men in the face. But by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?"
In a hard-hitting, wide-ranging speech last Wednesday, Cheney targeted the administration's decision-making process on how to proceed in Afghanistan, saying Obama has failed to give troops on the ground a clear mission or defined goals and appeared "afraid to make a decision."
"The White House must stop dithering while America's armed forces are in danger," Cheney said at the Center for Security Policy. "Make no mistake, signals of indecision out of Washington hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries."
In responding to Cheney's attack, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs on Thursday got in a jab of his own.
"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."
Grayson, a successful trial lawyer turned Congressman, shot to national fame - and notoriety - last month, when he took to the floor of the House of Representatives and dramatically described the GOP health care plan as: "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly." He refused to apologize; Republicans say they'll mount a stiff challenge against him in his conservative-leaning district in 2010, but so far no one has come forward.
– CNN's Alexander Mooney contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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laugh out loud funny! I'm not one for demonizing those I disagree with, that seems to be the prime play of the radical right but c'mon ya gotta understand when it comes to cheney, calling out the current president for being careful on how to handle cheney's own mistakes, perhaps dick, rush to judgement and taking action before all the facts are in is not the best way to to run a country... I think recent history proves that, I'd much rather be called scared (and how childish is that?) than be responsible for the largest decline our country has ever experienced (on several levels)
cheney needs to be trivialized, it boggles the mind that some people fall in line behind this horrible self serving man, talk about drinking the kool aid....
No offense to vampires.
This is what passes for a Congressman these days? A vampire? I mean obviously he is trying to be absurd but he is coming across as childish and beneath the dignity of the office he holds.
Cheney is a disgrace. Wasn't it his administration that said that disagreeing with a sitting President was unpatriotic? At least GWB has the decency to keep his mouth shut.
This has to be the most inmature do-nothing congress I have ever seen in my 57 years. Calling each other names is more important than any promises to their constituants on both sides of the house.
OUCH. I am glad somebody is speaking out against Cheney.
I suspect that Alan Grayson is having one heck of a fun time stepping on Cheney and his ilk as they come out from under their rocks to spew venom on those obligated to clean up their incompetence and sleaze-and he get's paid for it too!
I saw this interview, Chris Matthews admonished him and said we have to maintain a certain level, aka stfu
(Controversial freshman Rep. Alan Grayson, who has become famous for attacking the Republicans' health care plan, went on the attack again Friday night, calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire for his recent criticism of the Obama administration's handling of the war in Afghanistan.)
Freshman--He talks like he is still in kindergarten. Hey Florida, look what you sent to Washington.
This guy has a face only a mother could love, maybe he is a vampire. I would take Cheney over this current administration anyday.
How do comments from Representatives like these ever help anything? He needs to keep his mouth shut and keep working hard.
Finally, a Dem with the gonads to tell it like it is.
Cheney should be in jail from the crimes he and his puppet committed.
The more I hear from Congressman Grayson, the more I love him and am PROUD TO BE A FLORIDIAN!!! The Dems need this type of pitt bull rhetoric–goodness knows we have taken it from the right WAY too long.
Someone should remind Mr. Cheney that he is no longer the Vice President.
Grayson is a disgrace to our country–he thinks that he is funny and that by acting this way he will gain support for himself. We don't need people as radical as he is leading our country. Our leaders should be examples of how we all should act. We are all adults and should never call each other names. This is not getting us anywhere, instead of trying to be a comedian, (and not too good of a one at that), he needs to LEAD and help find solutions for our problems as a country. Our country is more divided at this time than anytime that I can remember. If everyone don't stop bickering–only God knows where our precious country will end up. PLEASE put politics aside and do what is right!!!!!
Dick Cheney is trying to coach the game from the SIDELINE! He does not know the current state of affairs and has not been a part of the national security briefings.
Why don't He go to Afganistan next week and then come back and talk to us.
This boob should be impeached. I was told in elementary that name calling was ineffective, and here we have an idiot making a legislative career out of it, making himself, the Democratic party and the Congress as a whole look infantile in the process.
This guy is AWESOME! Donations coming your way representative!
War criminal? Yes. Vampire? Maybe....,
Grayson looks like a Vampire more than Cheney.
Dithering? Less than ten months in office and the man who spent 7 1/2 years doing nothing calls that time "dithering"?
What label do we hang on Cheney's time in office?
I live this guy!!!!!!At least a Democrat ready to go biblical:an eye for an eye,a tooth for a tooth
I'm happy and proud of this Floridian!!!!!
We pay this Grayson fella $175 thousand a year to insult former Vice Presidents? Has he nothing better to do with his time?
oops,I wrote I live this guy instead of I love this guy!!!!
so I repeat:love Alan Grayson
If the Dick Cheney Administration aka Bush not not diverted our attention to Iraq in the first place we would not still be in Afghanistan. Dick Cheney did more to harm America than any terrorist could have done. He had his chance while he was in the White House. Now his time is done, maybe he should realize it and go away before he totally destroys the republican party.