Paul takes aim at Cheney
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/05/art.paul.gi.jpg caption="Paul is taking aim at Cheney."](CNN) - Dick Cheney is taking criticism from at least one member of his own party over the former vice president's recent and persistent criticisms of the Obama administration's handling of national security issues.
Ron Paul, the Texas congressman and upstart 2008 presidential candidate, told CNN's Larry King Monday night Cheney is in no place to criticize Obama's handling of the war on terrorism.
"I think he had his eight years, and he's caused a lot of trouble for our country and perpetuated a war in Iraq unnecessary and wrong-headed," said Paul. "I would say it would be best he not be so critical right now."
Paul was a constant critic of the Iraq war during his unsuccessful presidential run. While he is currently not seeking a higher office, his son, Rand, is seeking the Republican nomination for Senate in Kentucky.
Paul's comments come several days after Cheney released a tough-worded statement criticizing the president's response to the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day.
"He seems to think if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won't be at war," Cheney said in the statement. "He seems to think if we bring the mastermind of 9/11 to New York, give him a lawyer and trial in civilian court, we won't be at war. He seems to think if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hard-core al Qaeda trained terrorists still there, we won't be at war."'
White House Communications Director Dan Pffeifer later responded the president "is not interested in bellicose rhetoric, he is focused on action."
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during the past 8 years under Bush/Cheney..........nuff said........
Obama has no interest in national security......his only interests are redistributing wealth (yours) and his own aggrandizement.....we have never seen this level of arrogance in a U.S. government......remember....pride goeth before the fall.
Ron Paul, You said wright on, that Idiot should keep his dirty mouth shutt up...........
Ron Paul is right old Dick should shut his pie hole with 911 happening on his watch and a senless mess in Iraq he needs to shut it and go away with his pathetic nonsense!!
Although the so called "war on terror" has some validity, why wasn`t it called the war against Al-Quedi ?? Unless it was broadened partly to scare people into backing Cheney and the PNAC core of Neo-Cons in power at the time. Besides that, it had to be broadened in case Bin Ladin was killed and his radical followers splintered. There has always been " Terrorists" of some sort. Were WE not terrorists according to the British in the Revolutionary War ????
I agree with Ron Paul on this issue and many others. He does tell it like it is and is truthful with common sense. This is one Democrat leaning Independent who would support him 100 % for any office .
Ron Paul is a voice of truth and reason and one of the few Republicans left who still believe in limited government. Too bad so many Republicans have supported massively increasing the size of government through borrowing money from China to spend on Bush's Medicare prescription drug entitlement and the war in Iraq. America would be stronger if we implemented Paul's proposals.
Ron Paul
One of the very few men, who makes sense. This guy is for real and does'nt play politics, but calls it as it is.
Mr Cheney has spewed negative, heavy, fearful energy for long enough. The time has come for him to retire and go into seclusion so he can no longer ruin our planet, and chance for good, love and peace to be our inheritance.
Right on Ron, your turn is coming!
Every one needs to stop telling everyone else to be quiet. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Cheney and MANY, MANY Americans think Obama is handling things wrong. Fine, his opinion. Just like Clinton and Carter kept spouting off during Bush's presidency after both of them "had their turns" according to Paul.
personally, I like george Bush's approach: he takes the high road and doesn't degrade his opponents within America. He doesn't speak out against a sitting president or a past president. Clinton and Carter should have taken a cue from that.
Good for Ron Paul! Someone on the GOP side should tell Cheney to shut up! Correct...he had his 8 years and what he did or DID NOT DO are historical facts.
And Paul is not making these statements out of any kind of personal animosity toward former Vice President Cheney... It is completely consistent with everything Paul has been saying about our foreign and domestic policy for over 30 years. He simply doesn't change his mind nor compromise his defense of the Constitution for political expediency. We need more people like him in Washington but, sadly, it's more often the smooth-talking shysters from both major parties who get rewarded for their mastery of deception.
Something I actually agree with Ron Paul on.
Go Paul,
I dont agree with the libertarian view but they are honest and thats more than I can say about corporate friendly republicans that dont care about people.
What is going on? Last night we learned that Rush Limbaugh endorsed the quality of his care from the socialized medicine program of Hawaii, but doesn't want the rest of Americans to have that same health care. He also talked of the professionalism of the unionized nurses.
This only shows what can happen to a small brain on drugs.
Thanks Congressman Paul for your sane words. It gets so terribly frustrating and frightening to hear some of the stupid things people say in support of the Bush's administrations wrong-headed decisions.
Come on Paul. Do you really want the left fringe wacko vote?
Paul is the only one who makes any sense in either party when it comes to a reasonable foreign policy. He had been criticizing the Bush/Cheney preemptive war doctrine for all of the years they were in office. He is now criticizing the Obama/Biden same preemptive war doctrine that they have continued, and in some cases, escalated, as in quietly bombing Yemen a few weeks ago, under the radar of our American media. He is and has been a consistent and reasonable advocate of a sane foreign policy- something neither party believes in. This should not be a story about political back-biting, engaged in by both parties to the detriment of all of us- it should be about a real debate in foreign policy.
I agree with Ron Paul. Cheney should fade into the sunset. In my opinion Cheney is attempting to deflect his accountability for the corruption of the Bush administration. When it is all said and done, he should likley be placed on trial for war crimes for torture of prisoners. Don't get me wrong. I do not like the way Obama is handling the situation either but Bush and Cheney's actions were reprehensible. They say Obama isn't prepared to lead us in time of war. But look at all their blunders!!!
Ron Paul is probably the only Republican I'd actually vote for. The only republican I believe will do what they feel is right regardless of party agendas.
Cheney....the original Phineas T. Bluster !
Settle down you right wingnuts, do not be afraid. Unlike Bush/Cheney, the Obama administration will keep you safe from terrorists.
Man, I wish Paul would leave the GOP. I might actually vote for the guy.
Dick Cheney should just stick with his hunting and stop trying so hard to still be in the limelight.
Doesn't really matter what the last 8 yrs have been like – it's "now" that really matters. Cheney has the guts to speak what a lot of us are thinking. Obama is not "focused" on action – Mr Pffeifer needs to quit making excuses and the president needs to really "focus" – not just talk about it. Ron Paul needs to go over to the other party if he believes what he's saying – the Republicans don't need him. He's just campaigning for hopes of running for president in 2012.