While discussing Thursday’s opposing national security speeches by President Obama and former Vice President Cheney, on Friday’s CBS Early Show, Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer acknowledged: "...the fact that the President of the United States had to make this speech, the fact that Congress had turned him down in giving him the money to close Guantanamo, I have to say that on points, I give it to -- to the Vice President on this...Right now I think the Vice President has made his case. And at this point I'd have to say he's winning."
Meanwhile, co-host Harry Smih at least admitted a draw: "I think it behooves everybody who cares a whit about this issue at all, that they go on Youtube, or go online, and read the transcripts of every single word that was uttered. Because both speeches were breathtaking, I think, in their scope, in their pointedness."
While both Smith and Schieffer recognized Cheney’s success at countering Obama on issues like closing Guantanamo Bay, near the end of the segment Schieffer still declared: "I think most people think that Guantanamo is an open sore. That it in many ways it's a recruiting tool for these terrorists." At the same, he acknowledged the newfound difficulty in closing the facility: "But, getting it closed, what do you do with these people? Because, I mean, let's face it, there's some bad dudes down there. And no congressman wants those people brought back in to his home district, even to be put into prison. The President has got to come up with a detailed plan on how he plans to do this."
Interestingly, on the 2005 Memorial Day broadcast of Face the Nation, Schieffer pleaded for Guantanamo to be closed, yet did not mention any political or national security difficulties in doing so: "I wondered if the greater danger is the impact Guantanamo is having on us. Do we want our children to believe this is how we are? Is this the code of honor we are passing on to the next generation?... As we reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, let us remember first what it is that separates us from those who would take away our freedom."
Here is the full transcript of Friday’s exchange between Schieffer and Smith:
7:06AM SEGMENT:
HARRY SMITH: There were two high profile speeches yesterday on the war on terror from two men who could not be further apart in their views, President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
BARACK OBAMA: I know some have argued that brutal methods like waterboarding were necessary to keep us safe. I could not disagree more. And I categorically reject the assertion that these are the most effective means of interrogation.
DICK CHENEY: The intelligence officers who questioned the terrorists can be proud of their work, proud of the results. Because they prevented the violent death of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of people.
SMITH: Joining us is chief Washington correspondent and host of Face the Nation, Bob Schieffer. Bob, good morning.
BOB SCHIEFFER: Good morning, Harry.
SMITH: This was a debate in every possible way, except it was not face-to-face. Is it possible to say which case was more compelling?
SCHIEFFER: I think you could, you know, argue that either -- either case was compelling, because both of them were. But I have to say, Harry, the fact that the President of the United States had to make this speech, the fact that Congress had turned him down in giving him the money to close Guantanamo, I have to say that on points, I give it to -- to the Vice President on this. Just the fact that the debate took place, the fact that Congress, you know, turned the President down. President Obama's been in the driver's seat with the Congress up until now. But, Congress pretty much pulled him over to the side of the road on this issue. And until he comes up with a plan on how to close Guantanamo down, I think they're going to continue to deny him the funds to do just that. Right now I think the Vice President has made his case. And at this point I'd have to say he's winning.
SMITH: It's very interesting, I think it behooves everybody who cares a whit about this issue at all, that they go on Youtube, or go online, and read the transcripts of every single word that was uttered. Because both speeches were breathtaking, I think, in their scope, in their pointedness. The President was literally answering Dick Cheney, not the least of, from his appearance on Face the Nation two weeks ago.
SCHIEFFER: There's no question about that, Harry. And the interesting thing is, this is the debate that we did not have during the campaign.
SMITH: Exactly.
SCHIEFFER: Because if you'll recall, John McCain was one of those who said we ought to close Guantanamo. I think most people think that Guantanamo is an open sore. That it in many ways it's a recruiting tool for these terrorists. But, getting it closed, what do you do with these people? Because, I mean, let's face it, there's some bad dudes down there. And no congressman wants those people brought back in to his home district, even to be put into prison. The President has got to come up with a detailed plan on how he plans to do this. You know, it's not good for the President to lose a fight with the Congress. Because if he loses one, the Congress starts to smell blood, and the next thing you know, he's going to have trouble getting the next thing passed. He's got to come up with a plan it seems to me, Harry.
SMITH: Last but not least, another exclusive interview on Face the Nation this Sunday. Dick Cheney's former partner from the first Gulf War, General and Secretary of State Colin Powell.
SCHIEFFER: You'll remember that the Vice President really went after Colin Powell. Said he wasn't even sure he was a Republican anymore. They talked about this issue, well, my sense is Colin Powell will have something to say in response to that, Sunday, on Face the Nation. We'll talk to him about all of this and a lot more.
SMITH: Alright, Bob, thanks so much for joining us this morning.
SCHIEFFER: Thank you, Harry.
SMITH: Do appreciate it. And as we mentioned, Sunday on Face the Nation, Bob has an exclusive interview with former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Should be quite a broadcast. Check your local listings.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
How dare he say something
May 22, 2009 - 11:29 ET by wiwfHow dare he say something nice about Cheney!
/sarcasm.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Cheney v. Obama
May 22, 2009 - 11:32 ET by merlin61It wasn't even close!!! Cheney won hands down.
Obama blamed the Bush Administration 28 times
in his attempt to win his case. He didn't win.
Man
May 22, 2009 - 13:03 ET by 10ksnookerWipes floor with man-child
GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!! GO
May 22, 2009 - 11:32 ET by QueenMumGREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!
GO CAVS!!!!!
T-Recruiter
May 22, 2009 - 11:40 ET by ShanghaiRayTerrorist Recruiter A: "Ok, Achmed if you join up with us you'll get 6 wonderful weeks in terrorist training camp and after graduation you get to blow yourself up with a couple other 1000 people and/or if you get caught/surrender you will spend the rest of your life or a good many years as a complete unknown, very little if any contact with your family and ultimately tried in a closed-courtroom military tribunal without much media attention and if found guilty spend the rest of your life in a SuperMax prison and/or executed for murder. Sign here."
Terrorist Recruiter B: "Ok, Achmed if you join up with us you'll get 6 wonderful weeks in terrorist training camp and after graduation you get to blow yourself up with a couple other 1000 people and/or if you get caught/surrender you will get a "trial of the century" in New York City with lots of cameras, newspaper headlines so the folks back home can read about it (publicity always helps our cause), possible visits by mommy and daddy, a shister New York lawyer and years and years of court dates and even more publicity with a good chance you will be found not guilty whereby you can return to terrorism and/or get a US Green Card. Sign here."
Question to the idiots: Which one of these scenarios seem like a better recruiter tool?
Where's the proof?
May 22, 2009 - 11:56 ET by Red JeepAbsolutely. Libs making this argument should be asked why Gitmo is a recruiting tool. What’s their proof? Or is this just accepted conventional wisdom? Does Achmed, the poor goat farmer, learning of Gitmo, decide, “that’s it,” kisses his family good bye and ventures off on his camel to become a terrorist to show the U.S. a thing or two?
Always funny watching campaign rhetoric and platitudes...
May 22, 2009 - 11:47 ET by krendlerrunning head on into the buzz saw that IS the real world.
It's almost as if Obama and his worshipers believed their own bull$h*t these past months and now they're surprised when their silly chanting points look foolish - even to themselves - when confronted w/ reality.
Speaks volumes when an ultra-partisan like Smith is forced to call it a draw. Reminds me of the media calling the Cheney-Edwards debate a "draw" back in 04.
Would have been fun watching a McCain-Cheney ticket, or even better, a Giuliani-Cheney ticket go against Obama-Biden. Oh well...
Blow by Blow
May 22, 2009 - 11:47 ET by slickwillie2001Great article from Toby Harnden in the UK old media: The 10 Punches Dick Cheney Landed on Barack Obama's Jaw: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk
I like this one:
"If fine speechmaking, appeals to reason, or pleas for compassion had the power to move them, the terrorists would long ago have abandoned the field."
"As Cheney said this, sarcasm dripped from his lips. Obviously "fine speechmaking" but no real substance is not a new charge against Obama and it hits home. And Cheney successfully mades the point that much of the rhetoric from the Left tends to suggest that if only the US did not waterboard people, if only the US was viewed as Obama rather than Bush, Venus rather than Mars then it would be universally loved and al-Qaeda would wither away. UNfortunately, that's not the real world."
Crashing to the canvas...!
May 22, 2009 - 12:46 ET by Sergeant ROCKThat was an excellent blow by blow account of how Obama was crushed by Cheney.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Scheiferbrains: "Cheney is
May 22, 2009 - 11:54 ET by mattmScheiferbrains: "Cheney is winning the security debate...(damnit!)"
We got the change. Where's the hope?
Is this an idea?
May 22, 2009 - 12:01 ET by ckbennetttnIs it legal under the Geneva convention to summarily execute these non-uniformed enemy combatants in the field? If so, let's do that. We don't have to bring 'em back here. Problem solved. I bet that wouldn't be a recruitment boost for these scum. If they knew they were going to meet it head on, they might stay home. That's the only thing these terrorists understand. I have felt for a long time that I couldn't care less whether they love America or not, but when they see the stars and stripes I want them to pee their pants.
Obama: 'I screwed up'--We're going to be seeing this a lot.
YES, YES and YES!!!!!!
May 22, 2009 - 12:23 ET by BEGRUNTI wanted to throw a shoe at my TV last night when Geraldo, (aka, Jerry Rivers) whined about the "Geneva Conventions", on Hannity. He droned on..."lets just keep them under the convention rules, problem solved". He and the rest of the ignoramuses want the rules....I say fine. Under the rules, "Any combatant caught on the field of battle out of uniform can be summarily executed".....as a saboteur, or a spy. So YES....lets put the Gitmo terrorists under the Geneva Convention Rules.......take them all out, put them ALL in front of a firing squad. Problem solved.....right Geraldo?
Exactly...
May 22, 2009 - 12:25 ET by LionKingI think he meant the other Geneva Convention Rules ...
The GC actually covers
May 22, 2009 - 13:41 ET by Dan The Man 2The GC actually covers persons that are not in uniform. It then divides those who are civilians with no intent to cause havoc and those that are. It actually goes as far as to single out irregulars that are citizens of that country fighting in an organized force. And it classifies spies and sabatuers.
It says that spys and sabatuers are persona non grata without any rights or status other than that conferred upon them by teh country they offended. So in essence we can hold them inccumunicado as long as we deem need be and can do with them however we wish and in any manner we wish as long as its humane.
It does say we must at the conclusion of hostilites they should be dealt with. But that is totally up to the country. So we can hold any kind of circus we wish and dispose ofthem in any way we wish at any time we wish.
This according to teh GC.
The fact that the Great and
May 22, 2009 - 12:05 ET by Ruths husband BenThe fact that the Great and Mighty O decided to shut down Gitmo without a plan (or a clue) of how he was going to do it speaks volumes.
And to you libs out there: The fact that we keep really bad people in maximum security doesn't mean that we want these guys on American soil. It is not a question of securing these guys it's a question of securing these States. The one thing that even Supermax folks have access to, that Gitmo prisoners don't, is the telephone. There are many gangsters and gangbangers in the U.S. prison systems still doing gang business. We don't need terrorists in the U.S. prison system doing terrorist business.
"Who are you going to believe, me or all that lying data?!"
-Al Gore
"I think it behooves
May 22, 2009 - 12:10 ET by Jack BauerClose Harry -- but no cigar.
Cheney was pointed. Obama was pointless. I mean, have you ever heard such a farrago of mendacity, arrogance and ignorance than Obama's all about me "speech."
Go behoove that you whitless shill.
WRONG, WRONG AND WRONG.
"Most people" No. Some blame America first leftists. Media shills. And some Reps living in the DC bubble of smug insulation.
No. But you want to know what is a "recruiting tool..."
"Hey Ahmed, wanna join al-kyda and go kill Americans? Don't worry if your caught. The stoopid CIA Americans can't even question you -- Peace Be Upon Obama."
Why?
May 22, 2009 - 12:18 ET by ShanghaiRayI wonder why all the smart people (i.e., conservative, sensible) are on blogs like NB and the dumbest, lame brained, zero common sense and spineless people are in our (sic) government. Something is wrong...really really really wrong with this picture.
News or Commentary
May 22, 2009 - 12:34 ET by RpeggioThese news guys Schiffer, Gibson, Couric, and Williams are embarassing to journalism and classic unbiased news reporters. Why should Schiffer be voicing his opinion that Cheney is winning the argument? That's not news, that's commentary. Schiffer and that gang of left leaning news people are an embarrassment, hence their ratings get worse and worse, losing to cable news outlets such as Fox, where at least the commentary is usually balanced with opinions from both sides of the fence.
Clearly Cheney is winning the argument, he has all the facts and kept the country safe for 7 1/2 years....the pressure's on Obama to keep that streak going, I hope he does, but clearly Obama's position on Gitmo and Enhanced Interrogation Techniques is weaker and therefore tougher to argue and sell as being the better track to take. They water-boarded 3 Al Qaeda leaders out of over 100,000 people they detained these past 8 years....give us a break Obama, 3 freaking people! And it was only those 3 because they were high ranking terrorists we caught in 2002 that we felt or knew had intel on upcoming/future attacks and other info on locations of hide-outs etc. EIT's work folks, that's why they've used them for years and years, during many wars. And Obama won't release the results of the water-boarding and the info we discovered because it will make him look like a fool. It's a real cover-up, a cover-up that the media won't report on, they won't even call it a cover-up...they'll keep the focus on Obama's soaring rhetoric while poking at Cheney saying he should shut-up and go away. Well, he ain't shutting up folks, deal with it. All of the facts should come out, this Obama cover-up has gotta be broken.
And Obama also screwed up saying he'd close Gitmo in a year....what an uninformed, inexperienced rookie hack move. Even his fellow Dems are saying no.
You know where the best place for those prisoners is? Gitmo! I can see the ACLU getting all bent out of shape when a terrorist is moved to a US prison and isn't given all of the amenities they get at Gitmo, or when one of them is beaten to a pulp by an American prisoner ....they're MUCH safer at Gitmo, we're safer with them at Gitmo, and Red Cross and lawyers and all the amenities they need are right there at Gitmo, it's a first class prison that even has nice weather.
To govern is to choose
May 22, 2009 - 12:24 ET by KC MulvilleObama whines, almost childishly, that Guantanano's a mess. Well, guess what? Dealing with messes is what presidents are supposed to do. Obama said it himself, and everyone knows the logic of the executive: if someone else could have solved it before it reached Obama's desk, they would have - and would have taken credit for it. The reason executives make these decisions is because tough decisions always piss off people.
Cheney is excoriated because he's willing to piss off people. He pisses off people because he makes decisions, which means one side loses, and they don't like it -- especially when the issues are about national security, and the people who are fighting for their position all believe that they're promoting the best option for America's safety. But you have to put your emotions away. Given the nature of the decisions he has to make, no administration could survive if every decision so infuriated half the staff that they would resign whenever the decision didn't go their way.
The media, however, thrives on pissed-off people. They pour gasoline on those fires. They're desperate to accelerate any grievance. It makes great television. That's why the media loves leakers. They love it when a "high government official" uses the media to spread resentment, because they're pissed off about the president not following their advice.
I say that the media's self-serving need for conflict accelerates poor government.
So if you buy into that Gitmo is a recruiting tool
May 22, 2009 - 12:30 ET by dark_dsSo if you buy into that Gitmo is a recruiting tool for terrorists and we should curtail doing things that are recruiting tools then ...we have to leave the Middle East, stop our support for Israel, close Vegas, end anything these barbarians consider decadent, cover our women head to toe etc...
Who gives a damn what these people think and what our appeasing, light weight "allies" think
_______ Him and the Unicorn he rode in on
President Above-It-All
May 22, 2009 - 12:48 ET by slickwillie2001Rich Lowry on the VP Cheney-Bamster cage match:
"A less self-consciously grandiose figure might feel the need to reflect on the fact that his simplistic prior positions had not fully taken account of the difficulties inherent in fighting the War on Terror. Not Obama. On the commissions, he explicitly denied changing his view, instead trumpeting cosmetic changes he’s proposed as major reforms that will bring them in line “with the rule of law.”"
Source: President Above-It-All: http://article.nationalreview.com
I also saw Gates on the TV box today, informing us that Guantanamo is 'a model prison' and that there's nothing wrong with it, except that it has become 'tainted' and must therefore be closed. Well who tainted it? The democratics tainted it for their selfish political purposes. The Guantanamo under the Bamster is no different than the Guantanamo under President George W. Bush.
Wow...I already saw this
May 22, 2009 - 12:52 ET by bigtimerWow...I already saw this early this morning my time and commented here from our old pal Mark...and his Finkelblog site.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Why does Cheney want to help
May 22, 2009 - 13:02 ET by balboaWhy does Cheney want to help our enemies?
You mean conservatives?
May 22, 2009 - 13:15 ET by Jack BauerYou mean conservatives? They are the White House's real enemy. Why wouldn't Cheney help conservatives??
Enemies
May 22, 2009 - 13:47 ET by JimboChaney is trying to defeat our enemies... foreign AND domestic.
You have it 180 degrees.
May 22, 2009 - 16:08 ET by ArchConservativeYou have it 180 degrees. Obama is helping our enemies. Reid and Pelosi are helping our enemies. They have, almost since the beginning, been against any action against those who wish to destroy us. They are against strong immigration policies, they want to bring terrorists to our shores and release them here. They give them all the praise while they tried to destroy Bush and the war effort. They tried to destroy Gen. Petraeous.
Cheney is the only one FIGHTING for our freedom and security.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
Ha!
May 23, 2009 - 04:59 ET by UnsaneDid you ever ask that of Pelosi, Reid or any other Leftist when Bush was in office?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
"And no congressman wants
May 22, 2009 - 13:27 ET by Chris Norman"And no congressman wants those people brought back in to his home district...The President has got to come up with a detailed plan on how he plans to do this."
What possible good is it to come up with a "detailed plan" to do something bad that no one wants done to begin with?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
It's Walk on Water and his
May 22, 2009 - 13:32 ET by bigtimerIt's Walk on Water and his wishes...they will find a way...come hell or high water.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Ask!
May 22, 2009 - 13:15 ET by cvgbuckeyeAsk some Marine that you know, some Marine who was active, say, during the 60's, 70's or maybe the 80's what the meaning of the term "helicopter truth serum" means.
"near the end of the
May 22, 2009 - 15:21 ET by ckc1227"near the end of the segment Schieffer still declared: "I think most people think that Guantanamo is an open sore. That it in many ways it's a recruiting tool for these terrorists."
Levi jeans are a recruiting tool for terrorists. If I'm not mistaken, the greatest terrorist attack in world history was plotted against this country well before Guantanamo.
The only people who have a problem with Guantanamo are people who don't think we should lock up terrorists, and liberal partisan hacks who have no problem putting politics above national security.
Obama is an arrogant and idiotic fool
May 22, 2009 - 16:04 ET by ArchConservativeG'tmo is not "an open sore" and a "recruiting tool" for Al-queda. America is. Just the fact that we exist and that Israel exists are open sores and tools for Al-queda. We were attacked BEFORE G'tmo and Iraq and Afghanistan. Every time these Islamoterrorists see that we wring our hands over "torture" or G'tmo or anything else, that's just a little extra for them. Their main focus and their main objective is our destruction and the wiping out of Israel.
As far as Powell still saying he's a Republican? I say take away all his GOP credentials. The man is off the map. I have one question for him: if there was a Democrat who was pro-life, pro-war on terror, pro-2nd Amendment, pro-G'tmo, anti-stimulus package, and voted for McCain, would he still be welcomed with open arms by Democrats? NO.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
Bob Schieffer
May 22, 2009 - 16:15 ET by blazermaniacIt probably had to hurt for Bob Schieffer to say that, but at least Bob has some credibility. Harry Smith has zero, and it's no surprise that he would rather kiss Obama's ass!
?
May 22, 2009 - 16:58 ET by rammingspeedBob Schieffer said What?
He's gonna have to ask Fox News for a job.
Why close Guantanamo ?
May 22, 2009 - 22:00 ET by EddieWalkerI've been caught up in the debate of closeing it and keeping it open. While it's obvious to me that it's an important tool in fighting terrorism, it just hit me after reading Mr. Sheiffer's comments. Pres. Bush and Vice Pres. Cheney never brought up Guantanamo. It wasn't something they ran around telling everyone about. The Dems brough it up, made a big deal about it and exposed it to the rest of the world. Now their reason for closing it is because the bad guys know about it and it makes them angry at us. This is stupid in itself, but realizing that their reason for closing Guantanamo is because they spent years running around telling our enemies about it, which they claim is used as a recruiting tool must also mean that the Democratic Party has been aiding our enemies by providing them with this information. They are not just Dangerous, they are guilty of Treason.
Re Why Close Guantanamo?
May 23, 2009 - 00:04 ET by slickwillie2001Of course; Gates today said that Guantanamo is now 'tainted', and he said that even though it is a model prison, it must be closed because of that taint. But the democratics are the ones that gave it a taint by making it a political football. In an alternate universe, President Al Gore would be giving tours of Guantanamo as a model prison to dignitaries from other countries.
If you were given a choice of prisons to go to, you should ask for Guantanamo. The alternative, Supermax is a medieval dungeon compared to Guantanamo. Does Supermax have a 'taint'? No, because the democratics didn't choose to use it as a political tool. Other prisons in our country, where men are murdered and raped every day, are much worse.
Now take the next step and consider that the democratics have done the same thing with Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. Ever wonder what 'EITs' France uses? Or the UK? Canada? We don't know because political parties in those countries don't print their secrets in the New York Times, for political gain.
Same thing with FAST, rendition, wiretapping, Patriot Act, etc. One party has put their political power over our security.
Taint
May 23, 2009 - 06:34 ET by Red JeepDon't forget the help the MSM gave the Democrats in tainting Gitmo. (Maybe a name change is due from MSM to MSS, mainstream stenographers.)
Schieffer still declared:
May 22, 2009 - 22:16 ET by TN MomSchieffer still declared: "I think most people think that Guantanamo is an open sore. That it in many ways it's a recruiting tool for these terrorists."
President TelePrompter and the MSM are trying hard to label Gitmo as a 'recruiting tool for terrorists' to give Obama/Democrats cover for closing it.
What was the 'terrorists recruiting tool' prior to opening G'itmo??
Simple:
May 23, 2009 - 05:02 ET by UnsaneActually, Bob, if ANYTHING is a recruitment tool for terrorists, it is this: the continued existence of the United States of America.
You guys and gals in the media and on the Left are too stupid to see that.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
"I think most people think
May 23, 2009 - 08:38 ET by RR GOP"I think most people think that Guantanamo is an open sore"
If it is, then Libtards like you make it that way.
I don't believe in Gitmo, either. Those thugs should have been Crucified and pig entrails stuffed in their mouths. Tell me that wouldn't send a message.
If these guys had only engaged military personnel and treated U.S./Allied prisoners and civilians decently, I would be outraged at any mistreatment of these guys. Shoot, I was still outraged at Abu Ghraib because those people were only detainees and many apparently did nothing and it's not the place of military personnel to do that kind of junk with prisoners anyway/not to be used for their own personal entertainment.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).