Cheney, McCain hit back at Panetta

Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009 2:44 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans, Security

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John McCain are hitting back at CIA Director Leon Panetta for saying "it's almost as if [Cheney's] wishing this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point" that America is less safe because of President Obama's policies.

Cheney tells Fox News: "I hope my old friend Leon was misquoted. The important thing is whether the Obama administration will continue the policies that have kept us safe for the past eight years."

McCain: "I disagreed with the Cheney policy on interrogation techniques, but never did it cross my mind that Dick Cheney would ever want an attack on the United States of America. And it's unfair, and I think that Mr. Panetta should retract, and retract immediately. By the way, I hear morale is not at an all-time high over at the CIA under Mr. Panetta's leadership."

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Comments

He should not retract. Cheney knows what he said, and its perfectly correctly to assume that Cheney wants an attack on this country just so that he can say I told you so. In fact, that's what the right wing nut job pundits are all saying, or at least believe if they are not saying it.

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:51 PM)

McCain and Cheney should keep the pressure on these hacks in the Obama administration. It was an outragous statement by Panetta. It will be even more outragous if Obama sent Panetta out as his attack dog.

Jersey Joe Walters (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:54 PM)

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John McCain are hitting back at CIA Director Leon Panetta for saying "it's almost as if [Cheney's] wishing this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point" that America is less safe because of President Obama's policies.

Cheneys tells Fox News: "I hope my old friend Leon was misquoted. The important thing is whether the Obama administration will continue the policies that have kept us safe for the past eight years."

Ha, ha, ha. As if their remarks mean anything? Hell we know what tricky Dick is up to. Weather they agree or not. His intention is in the minds of Americans already. Didn't we just witness a sample of his rhetoric...the death of Dr. Tiller and the Holocaust Museum murder? Enough BS already.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:55 PM)

Screw Dick Cheney and the horse he rode in on.

We don't give a crap about his "feelings".

Thought you were a tough guy Dick? At least I did until you started hiding behind your daughter's skirt.

Dick Cheney can suck a rotten egg! (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:55 PM)

So cheney can go around blabbing and accusing but the CIA has to keep quiet and take it from the clowns on the right? What a bunch of a holes

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:56 PM)

I agree Pat - no retraction. I don't know if I put any value in McShames opinion either.

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:56 PM)

Jason Houser, NY (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:58 PM)

Dang… I missed the release date on this Dumb & Dumber tour….

Leon – you better be listening… DON’T BACK DOWN ON THIS! What you said IS RIGHT and to bad if the pity party can’t handle it… they sure can dish it out… but can’t take it very well…

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:58 PM)

Well, at least he didn't "almost" wish for his kidneys to fail.

Or "almost" wish for him to be raped.

The facts are, WE ARE LESS SAFE THAN UNDER BUSH !!!

Americans killed in america by terrorists...

During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)

BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)

Looks like the porch monkey administration is starting to show its true colors. I knew they weren't real Americans like me.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)

McCain, the same McCain who said - bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran (as a joke).

I sure hope this guy Ahmadinejad is defeated. The Iranians I'm sure are nervous about the subtle threats directed towards them from Israel. Their leader is unstable and they know it.

They want peace in their future. And they are willing to fight for it if need be.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)

Obama and Panetta really stepped in the deep stuff on this one.

Ted Cooley, Washington DC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:03 PM)

Cheney and McCain have ol'Leon by the short hairs on this one. I'm certain we'll be getting a clarification from Panetta shortly, just as soon as it goes through a few dozen reviews, just so Leon doesn't screw it up again.

Jim Shortts, Chicago (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:06 PM)

First Read: *** UPDATE *** More context on Panetta: As is clear from the article itself, Panetta spoke to Jane Mayer of The New Yorker after returning from Obama's speech on detention policy and interrogation -- and being briefed on Cheney's speech earlier that day. So the comments were off the cuff -- his raw reaction to Cheney's criticism.

So does Panetta stand by his statement?

Andy Richards, Dover NH (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:08 PM)

Leon – you better be listening… DON’T BACK DOWN ON THIS! What you said IS RIGHT and to bad if the pity party can’t handle it… they sure can dish it out… but can’t take it very well…

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

You are going to be so disappointed, again. That's the theme of the Obama administration. Disappointment.

Lars Franklin, Galseville, PA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:10 PM)

McCain said the thought never crossed his mind. Well, that's not surprising. McCain still has dementia.

On a serious note: This is squabbling and good for the Democrats. Next week Silly Sarah will be in the spotlight, then Rush, then Michael Steele.

In an earlier post, Bush 41 commented about 1964 and how the GOP was described as dead, but returned to life. The big difference between then and now is Rush Limbaugh. Rush will keep firing up the conservatives and will continue to hurt the GOP. The GOP will remain in the ice age until a person with new ideas comes on the stage.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:10 PM)

9/11 happened under Bush's watch. That is a fact. Bush / Cheney's record of stopping terrorism is TERRIBLE. 9/11 was a horrible attack, and it happened well into Bush's presidency. He could not keep America safe.

Chris, NYC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:13 PM)

There's nothing like the old farts that come out of the wood work to protect and support a sick old bastards idea of "Ameirca's" safety. The person that assisted with terrorizing it's citizens on an on-going basis.

Where is your "Country First"? I forgot...it went in the toilet when he/they selected Palin to run with him. She started the "paling around with terroist" s***, then Newt and Rush started the Sotomayor racist rants and the Cantor is powerless to speak and Steele has gone silent. Talking points of the party of NO.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:15 PM)

Leon Panetta should not retract his statement.

Low blow, Sen. McCain.

Gail, TN (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:15 PM)

Leave it to another out of touch,over the hill republican to come to dead eyes rescue.Johnny Bomber is a war monger much like the shooter.and about as accurate.What Leon said is what 80% of the country already thinks,the man is a danger to the country,he is trying to justify his torture program while shoving it in the face of the enemy,in some kind of twisted hope they will attack us.and the dark rider would be able to say he was right.He will never be right,to date he has missed one of the statements he made about the war.He and the Bomber are sky barkers,who no one wants to hear there opinions.One would think the bomber would not side with someone that promotes torture,and has used it against our countrys agreements.Maybe he and Daed eye could run together this time,they could call it the Un-American country first tour,Dead eye could put on shooting display,and Bomber could show us all the pitchers of his homes he doesn't know where they are,and how many.

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:16 PM)

Maybe Panetta is not playing a political game. Maybe he was just saying what he honestly thought, and I have no problem with that. Just as Dick Cheney was saying what he honestly thought (as much as I disagree with him.)

I do think, however, that both sets of comments were made out of frustration and anger - never a good time to open one's mouth.

It would take more than this comment for me to conclude that Panetta is not fit for the job.
Gail, TN

===============

If the Obama administration wasn't so intent on blaming the previous administration ever since they took office, I probably would agree. But seeing there has been a coordinated attack on the Bush administration by the Obama administration, then it gives one pause to hear Panetta now also going on the offensive.

I would say we should be Deeply Troubled by the comments and actions of the Obama administration.

LT- Ga (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:16 PM)

I actually have always believed that Cheney would like for another attack on America. The truth is when there is one, Dick will be the first one dancing in the streets.

frank, NC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:17 PM)

Lets see Cheney and his daughter can make any outrageous comment about Obama like he is siding with the terrorists but if someone calls cheney out they need to take it back thats rich.

P.S. For all those repubs who are saying the economy is Obama's fault 5 months into his Presidency then 9/11 is Bush's Fault that was 8 months into his so your math is off we where attacked on Bush's watch

Doug Englewood, Ohio (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:18 PM)

During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
During Bush's 9/11 FAILURE = 2,792

9/11 happened during Bush's Watch
Due entirely to Bush's INCOMPETENCE

Bobo: '...What ever happened to those Weapons of Mass Destruction ??

Did Bush and Cheney LIE ABOUT THEM ???

MSierra, SF

---------------------------------------

Google WMD in Iraq and READ

There were thousands of WMD's found in Iraq and that doesn't include the ones used to KILL the Kurds.

But you are OK with the killing of the Kurds - right?...'

From Wikipedia: '...President Bush asserted peaceful measures couldn't disarm Iraq of the weapons he alleged it to have and launched a second Gulf War,[9] despite dissenting opinions[10][11] and questions of integrity[12][13][14] about the underlying intelligence. Later U.S.-led inspections agreed with earlier conclusions that Iraq had abandoned its WMD programs in 1991, and asserted Iraq would pursue those programs if UN sanctions were ever lifted.[15] President Bush later said that the biggest regret of his presidency was "the intelligence failure" in Iraq...'

'...the biggest regret of his presidency was "the intelligence failure" in Iraq...'
WM<Ds were just LIES !!

WMDs were jsut Bush's 'Reichtag Fire'

As for using chemical weapons against the Kurds...
The Reagan Admin sold Saddam the combinants to produce the Chemical weapons. They did this knowingly
The Reagan Admin Defended Saddam at the UN against the Chemical Weapons charges

Sorry, NO SALE
Fixed Noised tactics don't stand up to scrutiny

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:19 PM)

Cheney and McCain have ol'Leon by the short hairs on this one.
Jim Shortts, Chicago (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:06 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I’m beginning to understand why the Republiklans can’t come up with any useful ideas on how to get this country out of the ditch they drove it into…

There too busy coming up with catchy clever ‘secret’ identities… so they can troll around here!

Yup makes all the sense in the world now! Sheesh!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:20 PM)

He may not wish for another attack but he makes it hard to think otherwise.
All of us enjoy seeing our point being proven. So why would we believe he is that different from the average person?
McCain is making a good statement but he has to know that Cheney didn't need to take it as far as he has.

Why Didn't Cheney Run For Prez? (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:20 PM)

These right-wingers keep referring to 'being safe the last 8 years' as if USA is just 8-years old. They need to be reminded that the 9/11 attack happened under THEIR watch.

And BTW USA is over 2 centuries old and not 8 years old.

New Wave (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:20 PM)

"Looks like the porch monkey administration is starting to show its true colors. I knew they weren't real Americans like me."

jerry/corpus christi texas

Hey, Jerr, "porch monkey" is a classic racist epithet. Real American? In your freakin' DREAMS, creep!!

jerry/corpus christi texas is NOT a real American!! (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:21 PM)

"By the way, I hear morale is not at an all-time high over at the CIA under Mr. Panetta's leadership."
------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I'm sure those Bush administration "embeds" are NOT enjoying the way things are being run, now. I can say, however, that many American citizens (you know, the salary-payers!) are happy with the leadership scrubbing.

By the way Senator "Bomb-Bomb": I can't help but wonder if this outrage on behalf of our war-profiteering FORMER VP is merely an attempt to distract from the uprising in Iran? Those citizens fighting for democracy kinda messes up your joke, doesn't it?

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:22 PM)

I think Cheney should move to Zimbabwe and establish 1 year residence and befriend Mugabe, that way when Mugabe dies, Cheney can become the dictator he'd always wanted to be. It fits him perfectly. If Cheney could have gotten his way, the term limit for "Vice Presidency" wink! wink!! would have been extended to life. Just picture it right now. Gas prices will probarbly still be $4 per gallon. Libby will be pardoned. Everyones phone conversations will be tapped. Democrat elected official will be investigated for something. Torture will become America's Mantra. Cooking books at Financial institutions will still be normal practice. They hate us all around the world and as Cheney would say "SO WHAT?" Trying to find Cheney giving interview will be impossible. Global Warming will still be a mith. And last but not the least, Geneva Convention treaty will become the priciest toilet paper in the "White House Bunker" wink! wink!! But on the bright side, if you are born into the wealthy family, you can waste your life away and daddy will be there to make more money for you. AIN'T THAT AMERICA.

C, in PA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:24 PM)

cheney has told half truths for years used undue influence on the lead up to the war. Paranoids believe they are correct and unfortunetely cheney turned paranoid after 9/11. too bad they didnt listen to Richard Clark prior to 9/11, then believed all the crap after 9/11 leading to waterboarding, spying on the domestic front, etc etc etc. Just trying to cover up their failures during their time in office.

steve roberts (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:24 PM)

Another stupid comment from an Obama appointee. It's generally stupid to try and get into the head of another person and guess what they're thinking. Cheney believes that Obama's policy will make us less safe in the future. How in the world can this be construed as Cheney hoping that our country is attacked to prove himself right?

I guess no one can criticize the policies of our King these days.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:26 PM)

, at least he didn't "almost" wish for his kidneys to fail.

Or "almost" wish for him to be raped.

The facts are, WE ARE LESS SAFE THAN UNDER BUSH !!!
Americans killed in america by terrorists...
During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
BoBo the Prez
*****************************************
Poverty of intellect in defense of extremism is no vice. Get your facts straight BOBO. 9-11 happened on shrub's watch Or is the water a bit muddy at the bottom of the gene pool where you reside with the rest of your inbred hillbilly friends. Oops I stand corrected! Clinton did it!!!! ROTFLMAO.

TorpedoYou (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:30 PM)

To BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)
During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
____________________________________________________
oops correction 3000 died 9/11
4000+ soldiers died during the bush administration. If you are going to start making unjustified charges against the President be least accurate.

Shelley, Tampa ,FL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:30 PM)

During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
-Clown.

During Bush's full reign - 3000+ from foreign terrorists.
During Bobo's reign - 2 domestic Americans.

Trust a rightwing clown to totally reconstruct facts at will. There have always been American domestic nut cases from Waco, to McVeigh to those who kill doctors, immigrants, and fellow Americans. Does Bush have the right as a president to doze of before a specific date and BO gets graded on 2 nuts whose thinking are little better than one who would pluck out such twisted statistics.

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:30 PM)

Cheney has said that before. Now the idiot is trying to weasel out of it. What a rat!

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:32 PM)

Looks like the porch monkey administration is starting to show its true colors. I knew they weren't real Americans like me.
jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)
===================================================
You sir, are disgusting. How can you call yourself a real American??? Did you ever serve in any war Jerry? Do you have any idea how demoralizing it is to never see a loved member of the family ever again? Bodies blown up to pieces?

I am so sick of most of the posters that are clueless to what our wars are doing to families and soldiers alike. I would like you to spend one day - ONLY ONE DAY - in a VA hosiptal visiting the troops. Go ahead Jerry I dare you. Then I may think about calling you a real "American".

Elise, SF (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:32 PM)

Reminds me of the way liberals (including the media) contantly hoped for Iraq to stay as chaotic and deadly as possible to make Bush look bad, and help win the elections in 06'. That surge working so well was real bummer for you guys wasn't it?

D Petreaus, Wash, DC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:33 PM)

When signing up for the GOP is ignorance a prerequisite or do you all go to a "special class" where the textbooks are so outdated the title is "These 48 States" to learn how to hate change.

Conservatives 4 dummies (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:33 PM)

Any remark against Bush, Cheney and their administration was intrepreted by Fox and those on the extreme right as un-American, treason, cowardly. So now the ignorant, blind who support this garbage mouth want to protest the CIA Director calling a sour puss and sour puss. He feeds off of your stupidity and your taking sides with that opportunistic greedy bass terd who has lined his pockets with our tax dollars just makes your ignorance even more prevalent.

BOB, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:35 PM)

Panetta shouldn't retract, as his comment was accurate.

D (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:36 PM)

I have absolutely no problem with Panetta's statement and there is no need for a retraction. Dick Cheney is a dangerous man and he has cronies in places that could do us harm. I am so serious about that - he scare hell out of me. (LOL: He has attorneys who can write depositions to get him off!

JJ Young, Cary, NC (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:36 PM)

During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)
==================================================
Why don't you ever talk about pre 9/11????
Ashamed of the job that was done with all the intel that was given to Bush & Cheney in Aug. 2001?
I am !!

Great Job W (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:39 PM)

Jerry from Corpus Christi should be banned from this board.

his statement is grossly offensive to all Americans, racist, bigoted, and adds nothing to this conversation.

That post should be removed immediately!

Ted, Mid Michigan (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:41 PM)

I hope Leon Panetta doesn't retract his statement and I'm not troubled if morale is down at the CIA. They had to expect some fundamental changes from a new administration committed to the rule of law--if they don't like that, they should seek employment elsewhere.
I have had that same reaction to Cheney's statements--he would like to be proven right, although he would never publicly admit it.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:47 PM)

If morale is NOT at an all time high Mr. McCain it is because they are all scared to death this President is going to bring charges on them for torture during Cheney and Bush. I stand with the President for NOT making these charges, but the Republicans have been out there with their "Terrorism Playbook" again, and I am sick and tired of it. I know this is the ONLY tactic you guys have on the Democrats, but with all the Republicans this President has kept in his Administration, you would think it would be "old news" by now. I stand with Leon Panetta on his statement.

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:48 PM)

To "D Petreaus":

"That surge working so well was real bummer for you guys wasn't it?"
------------------------------------------------------

If you really were the esteemed General, then you would know that the reason a "surge" was necessary in the first place was because another esteemed General- Eric Shinseki- was ignored when he advised then-Secretary Rumsfeld that far more ground troops were needed than what Rumsfeld was planning. Only years later- and after many American lives had been lost- were General Shinseki's recommendations taken seriously- and a surge tactic was implemented.

"You guys" should really watch how you throw the anti-liberal rhetoric around. You'd be surprised how many "real Americans" are fleeing the GOP because of ignorant garbage like this.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:58 PM)

Panetta said what most Americans feel in their hearts.

Don't retract a damn thing - Calling Cheney out is just the beginning.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:59 PM)

In response to message to:
BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 PM)

Americans killed by terrorists:
During Bush after 9/11 = 0
During BoBo reigh of ... = 2 (so far)
________________________________________________

BoBo: Your logic is flawed. If Bush gets credit for keeping us safe after 9/11 he also gets the blame for not keeping us safe from 9/11. 9/11 happened on his watch and we were not safe. For your math to add up, there would need to be too many deaths to imagine for Obama to surpass him. Your creative math and selective memory wass interesting, but baseless.....

Louise from Newport Beach (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:00 PM)

What a singular summation of the failure of any coherent thought coming from within the Obama administration. To have them accuse the former VP of the United States to want another attack to happen on the US. Outragous. Oh, but Panetta said 'almost'. Did Leon have his fingers cross behind his back too.
What a singular summation of the failure of any coherent thought coming from within the Obama administration. To have them accuse the former VP of the United States to want another attack to happen on the US. Outragous. Oh, but Panetta said 'almost'. Did Leon have his fingers cross behind his back too.
******************************************************

Because most intelligent people know Dick Cheney was too much of a coward to serve in VietNam and got five deferments so as not to serve in the military, the only ones who give Dickie any credibility about *National Security* are just as gutless and clueless as this a**-wipe you call a Vice President. Cheney is nothing more than a sleaze-bag, soon-to-be indicted War Criminal.

DianeR PC Fla (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:02 PM)

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