Live Thread: Obama vs. Cheney

Thursday, May 21, 2009 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

Obama goes first in a few minutes. He's speaking at the rotunda of the National Archives (you think we could get Nicholas Cage on that birth certificate thingey?) on his Gitmo policy and other man-caused calamities.

Vice President Cheney gets the rebuttal time. He's speaking at the American Enterprise Institute around 10:45 a.m. EDT.

[kabar]

It bears repeating that the Cheney speech was scheduled weeks before and Obama’s just a few days ago.

[SMM48]

“I have been bound by the Constitution” and took and oath.....

Taking over a private business is in the Constitution?

[NordP]

ME TOO - PLEASE STAY HEALTHY, SIR!

[MisterI]

First a “limp” Dick now hard Dick.

[jcb2009]

This is going to get really good very fast. God bless Dick Cheney!

[khnyny]

Yes.

Perhaps Obama has been used to such blanket adulation that he cannot deal with criticism....lol.

[Sparko]

One comment from that WSJ link:

10:52 am May 21, 2009
Concerned wrote:
The record is clear … the Community Organizer has no clue on running anything, only campaigning.

[NordP]

TRUTHFUL TELLING OF HISTORY...oh Sir...BHO doesn’t like the truth..YOU know that!

[ZULU]

“The GOP must find a strong leader to direct the tidal wave that’s forming.”

AMEN!!! I nominate Michelle Bachmann!!

[roses of sharon]

It is obvious he threw this speech together at the last minute, he is CAMPAIGNING AGAINST PATRIOTS.

And campaigning FOR TERRORISTS.

[dusttoyou]

CHENEY-PALIN 2012

Make it happen!!!!

[Red_Devil 232]

Cheney criticizes the length of the Obambi speech by saying - “in the House we had a 5 min. rule”! LOL

[NordP]

GREAT SUMMARY SIR!!!

[McGruff]

[Girlene]

Yes, he did. That is the theme of this entire speech.

Wow, how presidential! Found it; here's the relevant sentence:

........" knew when I ordered Guantanamo closed that it would be difficult and complex. There are 240 people there who have now spent years in legal limbo. In dealing with this situation, we do not have the luxury of starting from scratch. We are cleaning up something that is – quite simply – a mess; a misguided experiment that has left in its wake a flood of legal challenges that my Administration is forced to deal with on a constant basis, and that consumes the time of government officials whose time should be spent on better protecting our country.".............

Oh, Boo Hoo, Mr President.

[sirjohn]

He’s desperately trying to reconcile Thomas Jefferson with Saul Alinsky but it’s no working.

[NordP]

EXCELLENT IDEA! Oh Cheney I love you and your character...great points, Sir...WAR not CRIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TaraP]

In *O*’s speech he says: *We are one nation* but he failed to say UNDER GOD......Guess he does not want GOD’s Blessings on AMerica since he thinks he is one!

He’s a Great Deception.....

[wpa_mikeb]

Cheney just brought up what is NEVER talked about, the first WTC attack was treated like a parking violation, a simple “crime”

[khnyny]

[Cheney vs. Obama: A Mismatch

I’ve read both speeches.

Obama’s is the speech of a young senator who was once a part-time law professor—platitudinous and preachy, vague and pseudo-thoughtful in an abstract kind of way. This sentence was revealing: “On the other hand, I recently opposed the release of certain photographs that were taken of detainees by U.S. personnel between 2002 and 2004.” “Opposed the release”? Doesn’t he mean “decided not to permit the release”? He’s president. He’s not just a guy participating in a debate. But he’s more comfortable as a debater, not as someone who takes responsibility for decisions.

Cheney’s is the speech of a grownup, of a chief executive, of a statesman. He’s sober, realistic and concrete, stands up for his country and its public officials, and has an acute awareness of the consequences of the choices one makes as a public official and a willingness to take responsibility for those choices.

Posted by William Kristol on May 21, 2009 11:04 AM | Permalink]

Absolutely perfect analysis (imho).