Cheney vs. Obama: The Best Moments From Their Speeches
The two leaders of their political parties—one de facto, the other thanks to sheer face time on cable-television news—couldn’t have been more different in style and in substance in the speeches they gave today. Here are the highlights.
L to R: Luis Alvarez / AP Photo; Alex Wong / Getty Images
Obama: Our Values Keep Us Safe
Obama may be facing obstacles from both the GOP and his own party for closing Gitmo, but he didn’t budge when it comes to why he’s made his decision: “We uphold our most cherished values not only because doing so is right,” he said, “but because it strengthens our country and keeps us safe.”
Cheney: But Only Europeans Like You
It’s been a while since Obama was mocked for being popular abroad, but Cheney says that for Obama, “it's easy to receive applause in Europe for closing Guantánamo, but it's tricky to come up with an alternative that will serve the interests of justice and America's national security.”
Obama: Our Courts Can Take It
Are our courts incapable of handling terrorists? They sure are, Obama says, invoking the 1993 bombers of the World Trade Center.
Cheney: Your Use of Vague Language Bothers Me
Obama has dropped the term “enemy combatant” and Cheney isn’t happy about it. He derides the president for this and other “euphemisms” in a time of war. (Because apparently “war on terror” was such a clear, direct phrase.)
Obama: Republicans Don’t Like Torture, Either
Obama uses the Bush adminstation to make his case against banning enhanced interrogation, noting that “there was recognition among members of his administration—including a secretary of State, other senior officials, and many in the military and intelligence community—that those who argued for these tactics were on the wrong side of the debate, and the wrong side of history”
Cheney: You Want Hubris? I’ll Give You Hubris
Toward the end of his speech, Cheney says that if he’d promised on 9/11 that there “would never be another terrorist attack inside this country” THAT would have smacked not only of hubris, but would have “seemed a rash and irresponsible thing to say.” How long has be been waiting to make that point?