Posted on 05/22/2009 4:55:40 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Two top Bush-era officials on Friday rejected ex-vice president Dick Cheney's scathing criticism of US President Barack Obama, saying the country's national security was not in jeopardy.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served in the same post under former president George W. Bush, and Tom Ridge, the former head of homeland security, both voiced disagreement with Cheney a day after he attacked Obama's performance as the new commander-in-chief.
Gates said in an interview that opponents of Obama's decision to close the "war on terror" prison at Guantanamo were engaging in "fear-mongering," a reference to Cheney's stance on the issue.
Defending the president's decision to shut the detention center at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Gates said the prison was damaging America's image and served as a propaganda tool for Al-Qaeda.
"The truth is, it's probably one of the finest prisons in the world today. But it has a taint," Gates told NBC television's "Today" program during a visit to New York.
"The name itself is a condemnation. What the president was saying is, this will be an advertisement for Al-Qaeda as long as it's open," he said.
In an interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Ridge said he could not support the former vice president's charge that Obama had undermined US national security.
Asked if he believed the country was now less safe as a result of Obama's policies, Ridge said: "I do not."
The Republican said the discussion had become too politically charged with Cheney making a televised speech on Thursday immediately after an address by the sitting president.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Gates amd Ridge putting national security on the back burner for pollitical reasons.
And, at one time there were people here that touted Ridge as a ‘possible’ Republican candidate for anything - I’ll tell anyone who will listen... It will be a cold day in goddam hell when I EVER, EVER vote for endorse another asshole like McCain...or Ridge...or Romney, or Huckabee, or any ‘established’ contender....experience from the last eight years tells me these people, along with Newt are completely damn worthless, period......I won’t be cajoled any more.
Tom Ridge looks like a Cabbage Patch kid that came to life...with his head stuffed with Chinese fluffy trash. Gates is similar just a little worse.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates fits right in with the hussein obama crowd. I have never liked him.
When I think back to some of the names I had in my tagline over the years.. makes me shudder now..
condi, cornyn, kyl the most recent a couple years back before the bottom fell out.... no ridge ever tho or newt or likely to be
So, I guess that means that if the US is attacked again during the next four years that these guys are wrong and Cheney is right. What a helluva price to have to pay to find out.
They are scrambling for ways to discredit him, thus proving he is being effective.
All you have to do is read or listen to Cheney’s presentation. It stands on it’s own merits, and Gates and Ridge are imbeciles if they can’t grasp the truth he was presenting.
All those folks who voted for McCain last year. Have we had enough of the RINOs yet?
It’s time to break out the steel tipped boots, and get to work.
Yeah, what else is new.
Two neo-leftist RINOs.
As for Ridge, he's been a disappointment for a long time now. I'd be more surprised if he stood up for Bush and Cheney at this point.
They are scrambling for ways to discredit him, thus proving he is being effective.
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Bingo.
The gutless moderates comment on cue.
Gates is part of the administration so I can understand but Ridge is precisely the reason the Republicans are in a shambles.
You can virtually predict this crap.
You could have 100 former Bush era officials in complete agreement on the missteps of Obama in his first 100 days, but you’d never hear a word from them via the MSM. But, they’ll always find the one guy who worked for Bush who thinks everything Bush did was near-treason and everything that Obama is doing is terrific. And so it goes.
This is the dirtiest line of the week.
Ridge and Gates are clear examples of the liberal direction the GOP must not take. Neither of them has served with honor or distinction; unless the hind-lick maneuver is counted. Its time for us to look to Patriots not politicians. MORE TEA PARTIES.
A double Amen! to that.
Gates has been a political whore for years. I’m glad to say I’ve always despised him.
He has built his reputation by sucking up to the press & Congress.
I voted for McCain last year. Do you have any inkling why I voted for McCain?
One reason and one reason only, McCain was not obama.It was plain to see no one would be as bad as the Muslim.
So, who did you vote for Mr. DoughtyOne? Did you help elect this Muslim? If so, don't be bashing me.
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