GOP hits Obama, Dems on natl security

Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:37 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans, Security

From NBC's Mark Murray
After directing most of their fire at the Obama administration on economy and government spending, congressional Republicans are now turning to national security -- in particular President Obama's decision to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay (a move a majority disagree with, according to our new NBC/WSJ poll).

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell just gave a speech on the Senate floor, in which he argued that "closing Guantanamo is not a good option if no safe alternatives exist." And House Republicans have released a Web video, which asks: "What are Democrats doing to keep America safe?" And it concludes with this question: "After 100 days, do you feel safer?"

(Our NBC/WSJ poll actually answers that question: 28% say they feel less safe than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 29% say they feel more safe, and 40% say they feel about as safe as before.)

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Comments

The GOP doesn't need to be hitting anybody on anything.
What a bunch of fools that are totally incapable of 'getting it'.

Buzz (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:44 AM)

I would feel a whole lot safer if all the right-wing teabagging nut jobs were no longer in charge and on the airwaves. I am speaking of Bonehead, McConjob, Cantdo, Insanity, O'liely, Limpbag, and lets not forget the resident fruitcakes Backmann and Beck or better known as dumb and dumber.

Real World,USA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:47 AM)

What, we dont need national defense!!!

Everybody Loves Obama!!!

No country or person would attack America because Obama has already told them were sorry for everything.

The United States of Appology.

Afterall, he promised to REMAKE AMERICA

Job well done!

Obamas new remade America (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:47 AM)

>>>(Our NBC/WSJ poll actually answers that question: 28% say they feel less safe than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, 29% say they feel more safe, and 40% say they feel about as safe as before.)
==========
No new ideas, so lets trot out the old "scare 'em into voting for us" idea. Yeah, that'll work.

So a large majority of the people feel as safe or safer now than before 9/11. And the point of all of this was...?

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:48 AM)

After 100 days, I think the terrorists feel safer.

Gitmo Girl (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:49 AM)

The GOP has no credibility on anything, remember 911 happen under their watch, the economy melted under their watch, our standing in the world took a beating under their watch and the deficit exploded under their watch. They should just fade away into the bin of history. Hey GOP nobody is listening to your go suck on a grape.

Ben Purser, Royal Oak, MI (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:50 AM)

From NBC's Mark Murray
After directing most of their fire at the Obama administration on economy and government spending, congressional Republicans are now turning to national security -- in particular President Obama's decision to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay (a move a majority disagree with, according to our new NBC/WSJ poll).

Not so Mark, I think that you all need to get Nate Silver at Fivethirtyeight.com to run a poll. The coward draft dodger Cheney and his old boss and Donald Rumsfield must be salivating at this report.

Gitmo needs to close. It is a serious threat to our national security. The GOP and scare tatics of Cheney a man that was certified A1 to serve his country dodged 4 time until he finally got an A3 exemption from military service. Gitmo needs to go. Better yet, send their butts there and torture them.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:51 AM)

We're safer now because we don't have arrogant IDIOTS in the White House

George Bush was WARNED REPEATEDLY that al-Queda was intent on ATTACKING US !!
That IGNORANT FOOL ignored the warnings

BUSH is RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11

CLOWN !!

Thank you Obama for appointing qualified people to head Federal agencies
It's a welcome change

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:51 AM)

Obama IS weak.
I hope we never find out just HOW weak.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:51 AM)

We see how sensitive the Obama administration is to victims of terrorists. They have a large plane buzz the skyline of NY while having it trailed by military combat jets.

Mike B., NY NY (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:52 AM)

62% of the terrorists feel safer today. That includes Bill Ayers.

Poll Watcher (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:52 AM)

Yes, I feel much safer with President Obama. As for the GOP, there are too many war mongers and fear profiteers.

Kimberly in Texas (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:53 AM)

I feel much safer today. Thank you very much!!

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:55 AM)

The GOP can't read polls well can they. They only Americans upset with Obama's foreign policy are people who would oppose him if he cured cancer, the bird and swine flu and fixed the economy. Preaching to the choir isn't a way to grow the party!

Get a clue! (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:57 AM)

The chickenhawks are at it again lying about national security. Remember when the Evil Elephants werre oh so macho and not afraid of anything, now they're a bunch of scared little children whining about being safe. Dang don't you cowards have enough guns to make you feel macho?

Prosecute War Criminals Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:58 AM)

Mitch,,,dude there are many who would gladly take those at gitmo,saw a report on brand new prisons that where built in US that are sitting empty,and the towns that would be more then happy to fill the empty cells.But of coarse the obstructionest would rather talk about silly garbage like Gitmo,the home of Torture,the republican home court.Anything to get the press to stop all the story's about how far the republican party has fallin and become kind of a small group of southern states,with really out of touch ideas.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:58 AM)

As a matter of fact Senator McConnell I do feel safer. The reason is we no longer have a cowboy with an itchy trigger finger as the CIC but one who doesn't make knee jerk reactions to world events.

Yes, Senator, I feel much much safer now than I did between January 20, 2001 and January 20, 2009.

eagle1776 (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:59 AM)

So that's 69% feel as safe or safer. The 28% that feel less safe are no doubt tuned into fox news where they are being fed a constant stream of fear about how President Obama is destroying the US.

But before we get to cozy with these polls, remember that President Bush was re-elected against John Kerry (a decorated war veteran) because Americans believed he would keep us safe. This was after the only large scale foreign terrorist attack was committed on 9/11/2001 under President Bush's watch.

Chris - IL (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:01 AM)

Run run run! Mad cow disease in the land of GOP.

More evidence that the GOP has NOTHING to talk about.

Diamond (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:02 AM)

Yes, I feel safer. Mitch McConnell is another wantabe leader who is lost woods. This is a great example of how the GOP is trying to find something to give them traction. If we were currently being attacked, maybe his words would have meaning. But today, his words are meaningless.

Ron Indiana (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:02 AM)

I just want to say . . .

these Congressional Republicans are real losers.

But you already knew that, right?

How can a party that mismanaged two wars while simultaneously bankrupting this country ask if we feel "safer" after 100 days?

This just in jacka$$es: You folks F*(&8d up!

You are completely discredited . . . a laughing stock!

You tell us that by not talking to our enemies and controlling our smiles, we'll be safer.

You tell us that by incarcerating citizens of other countries with no evidence, trial, or plan, we'll be safer.

The REAL WORLD RESULTS would seem to contradict this. . .

I wonder if Roaxanna Saberi currently imprisoned in Iran or the American journalists about to go on "trial" in North Korea feel "safer".

Now other countries can follow OUR EXAMPLE, ignore all treaties, and apply vigilante justice as they see fit. Somehow, that doesn't sound like the recipe for a "safer world".

When will the media challenge this kind of bunk instead of just dutifully repeat it?

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:03 AM)

Obama: "That wasn't me," President Barack Obama said on his 100th day in office, disclaiming responsibility for the huge budget deficit waiting for him on Day One.

It actually was him - and the other Democrats controlling Congress the previous two years - who shaped a budget so out of balance.

And as a presidential candidate and president-elect, he backed the twilight Bush-era stimulus plan that made the deficit deeper, all before he took over and promoted spending plans that have made it much deeper still.

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

Obama - Bankrupting America, One Dollar At A Time.

P. Lee Myers, Washington DC (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:04 AM)

So 69% say they feel about the same or safer. With the GOP's record of trying to find the chink in President Obama's armor on myriad other issues, good luck trying to nail 'em with national sercurity...

BamaBoy (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:05 AM)

The Very Best Video in the World circulating is the one that show's Our President Obama Bowing to the Saudi King!

Priceless! (Those sub-servant bow to Saudi Royalty)

Barack be representing Yo!

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:05 AM)

Let the fear mongers begin!!!! Zeig Heil limpbag!!!!!!!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:06 AM)

Everything else Obama wants the government to take over is a threat against National Security unless the government takes it over. Do how about the United States debt Obama, the one that you and your Democratic party is running up at a faster rate then all the previous Presidents combined, is that a National Security threat too?

Magic 8-Ball Says Most Likely (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:07 AM)

This dog ain't gonna hunt!

We got hit by Al Quaeda on 9/11 during GWB's first year in office so Republicans don't make me feel safer.

That being said, bad guys will continue to want to harm us no matter who is in the WH.

This ad is dopey and not very effective.

Sheila, Pikesville, MD (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:07 AM)

AMAZING! IS THAT ALL THE GOP HAVE, FEARMONGING. THE REPUBLICANS SHOULD READ THE BOOK THAT PREZ OBAMA IS READING."NEVERLAND". THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE AT.

ELIZABETH, ORLANDO (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:07 AM)

This one is not really too bad. Looks like a couple good old buds hanging out at a kegger.

I saw the one where Obama bows to the King of Saudi Arabia and that one really got to me. I can not imagine what he was thinking. That's one you would never see the Bush master do.

Also, Obama could have fed and helped a lot of Americans with the money spent on the Photo Op over NYC don't you think?

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:09 AM)

When trying to analyze our national security, we shouldn't just focus on Guantanamo. That is just one tiny piece in a very large puzzle.

Nardo (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:11 AM)

I feel far safer! But you know, those nutty replublicans do have a good point.

I mean Chavez is a huge threat to the US. Any day now his sophisticated army could come marching up through Central America and take over the US and we President Obama would be powerless to stop it. That is because as Chavez was shaking Obama's hand, he was casting a spell on him (which is strengthened by the book he gave him). In fact, maybe the republicans should propose trying Obama as a which!

And while President Obama was showing respect to the Saudi King, the Saudi King was cursing Obama and putting an evil hex on him so that American's will be forced to buy huge quantities of oil and highly inflated prices . . . . oh wait, we already have that problem, don't we!

I do have one question about the ad - why didn't it mention teleprompters or socialism?

Chris - IL (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:11 AM)

lol....GOP to America: BE AFRAID! ....that doesn't work anymore.

Nick (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:11 AM)

The GOP has been using this "scare & divide" playbook so long, their tactics have finally (Thank God) become BLATANTLY OBVIOUS.

If the tax/social hot buttons aren't working, switch IMMEDIATELY to the "let's scare the bejimmies out of em"

Progress or common sense is clearly not their strong suit.

Linda, Montgomery, AL (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:14 AM)

It is not helping the public to be ragging the administration about this issue at this time.

Don't you think the Republicans could stop reacting about their inferior position for a while and give US ALL A REST.

Can we get through this terrible flu crisis?

THE REPUBS ONLY THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES AND WHAT'S WORSE THEY CAN"T DO A BLASTED THING EXCEPT WHINE AND COMPLAIN!!

Andrea, New York City (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:15 AM)

this attack is basedless, you notice they are using most footage from FOX News and the footage from CNN is taken out of context. The GOP is blaming everyone for everything except themeselves. They are the ones who got us into this mess. Waterboarding is torture and stopping this practice builds up our standing in the world. The GOP needs to wake up and apparently they are even blaming mexican immigrants for the swine flu when the facts sqare differently
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/conservatives-scapegoating-mexican-immigrants-over-swine-flu-pandemic/

camie (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:16 AM)

Mitch,Eric, and Boehner need to get involved in a "reality check" program. They are so far out of touch that it is embarrassing. Every time any of them opens his mouth to criticize the President he does so at the expense of alienating more of the middle of the Republican party. You people that voted these three idiots into office need to understand that you are worse off for doing so.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:17 AM)

As a matter of fact, yes. I feel MUCH safer with a President who is intelligent enough to know that ignoring other countries and their leaders.... does not work. "My way or the highway"...does not work. Being a bully to others....does not work. Singling out 1 country to invade (Irag) while others build their forces against us (Taliban in Afghanistan/Pakistan)....does not work.

Our President never shoots from the hip. He is pragmatic...as a good leader always is.

Mitch McConnell and his band of merry fools has NOTHING to offer other than fear mongering. I feel for Republicans who would like their party back. If McConnell is all they have for leadership...well... I'm just sorry for ya!

VermontGirl in Denver (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:17 AM)

With amazing consistency, every line of GOP attack, more often than not, arises from a deep sense of vulernability they have about their own policies and actions. Think about it and track their movement. In this case, they pursued torture which encouraged terrorist recruiting, which makes us less safe. Their response? Dems stop the torture, treat people with dignity, which according to the GOP makes us less safe. This is a circus that ought to be outlawed.

Robert in Virginia (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:17 AM)

I feel safer now that the folks who decided to invade a country for seemingly no reason (or to be more accurate, for any one of 15 reasons given) are out of power.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:18 AM)

So basically 69% of Americans feel as safe or safer then they did before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sounds like the Republicans have picked yet another losing issue. Make they will eventually figure out that playing to their base is not going to win back the middle and they will forever be the part of the minority with their current strategy.

Greg, Canandaigua, NY (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:24 AM)

Yes, I feel safer with Pres. Obama defining our values and mission. I do not feel safe when the GOP tries terrorizing its own citizens with spooky music and misleading clips. Waterboarding and wiretapping do not make people safe nor do they make people feel safe. People feel sick that a government does this in the name of liberty.

let it be (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:24 AM)

they have nothing else to hit the president on, they are slinging anythine and hoping something stick. What are they doing to keep us safe, what ideals do they have. NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE PARTY OF NO

bobbyv hinesville ga (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:25 AM)

Here's your answer, Mitch McConnell: 69% of Americans feel as safe or safer. So much for your attempt to instill fear and doubt.

What is wrong with these people? Why do they waste their time like this? When will they learn that fear-mongering doesn't work?

Gail, TN (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:25 AM)

Well yes......Yes I do feel safer.

Rogue Nation,Wv (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:26 AM)

What is really assuring is that guys like you Mitch, will be holding willie instead of public office,Bohner,Can"t or,Pence,Bachmann,and the looney tunes who give the comic writers on late night way to much material.Nice try falling back on a old Karl playbook tactic,the boogie man stuff you are spewing here today,but we are feeling safe that a republican won't sit in the WH for the next 20-30-years.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:29 AM)

I just want to say . . .

these Congressional Republicans are real losers.
------------------------------------------------------
Then why are Republicans leading Democrats on the generic Congressional ballot in Rasmussen's latest poll? First time in years.

Savannah, GA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:31 AM)

Dem's are giving Limbaugh more publicity and recognition than he ever had with Bush. He has got to be loving that free press.

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:33 AM)

Wait a second...the one thing conservatives in far right publications like National Review give Obama credit for (albeit grudgingly), is his handling of Iraq and Afghanistan. Usually they hedge a bit by saying that, after all, he's just continuing Bush's policies (which I find disingenuous and untrue).

Now we're supposed to wonder if we're LESS safe on his watch because we're closing an illegal prison (while retaining the prisoners whose detention passes legal muster) and because some foreign anti-American leaders who've been hostile to us for years are a bit less so? And all that friendliness cost us was a few smiles and handshakes?

I think Republican strategists are overestimating the number of non-Republican idiots in the U.S., as this line of attack is pretty obviously narrowly targeted at them.

Michael Sheridan, Sacramento, California (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:35 AM)

American's can no longer be fooled by the GOP fake security mirage. We have moved on.

New Wave (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:37 AM)

"After 100 days, do you feel safer?"

Yes, although these days, I'm more afraid of a brain-dead venomous dittohead doing our president harm than I am of foreign terrorists.

The days of keeping the nation afraid have come and gone, and as usual, the gop doesn't realize it.

JB, houston, tx (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:41 AM)

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