Richard Clarke: GOP Terror Attack Machine

[flpoljunkie]

GOP terror attack machine: Criticism of Obama is irrational, irresponsible and painfully partisan

BY Richard Clarke

Sunday, February 7th 2010, 4:00 AM

In his State of the Union and his later meeting with House Republicans in Baltimore, President Obama has again asked to lower the partisan rhetoric and strive for solutions to the nation's problems. Nowhere is this more needed than in the national dialogue on terrorism.

Recent months have seen the party out of power picking fights over the conduct of our efforts against Al Qaeda, often with total disregard to the facts and frequently blowing issues totally out of proportion, while ignoring the more important challenges we face in defeating terrorists.

Just last Thursday, House Republican leader John Boehner engaged in a classic version of this attack, saying the White House is "putting the American people at risk" and taking a "pre-Sept. 11" approach to fighting terrorism.

It has been hard to escape the conclusion that the goal of these critics is to discredit the President's handling of terrorism for political advantage, whether or not the administration is actually doing a good job. Indeed, they seem to be posturing themselves simply so that if there is a successful terrorist attack on America, they can say "I told you Obama doesn't know how to fight Al Qaeda."

more...

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/02/07/2010-02-07_the_gop_terror_attack_machine.html

[MrModerate]

1. I guess it's worthwhile pointing out that the 'Licans have abandoned all pretense . . .

to governance and are entirely consumed with winning advantage -- even at the cost of wrecking the country.

Let's see, if you add Clarke, that's about 100,000,000 testimonials to that fact.

[90-percent]

2. Clarke

Richard Clarke is an exceptional man; An honorable person that actually served in the GW Bush administration!

Too bad Bush-Cheney didn't ever want to listen to anything he had to say about terrorists using commercial airplanes as missiles, huh?

He's the only man in American Government that apologized to the American people for the security failures of 9-11.

-90% jimmy

[dgibby]

3. I agree.

Just wish Obama would find a place in his Admin for him.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. K & R

Richard Clarke is more of a REAL public servant and patriot than all of the Republicans combined. It would be nice if President Obama could find a place for Clarke in his administration- if he was interested in one although I suspect that he has probably decided to move on to other things (and I can't say I blame him either). He's served our country with distinction and I would nominate him for a Presidential Medal and/or citation. :thumbsup:

[Cha]

5. Thanks Richard Clarke!

I can't imagine a lower class of republicons who hate their country more than this 111th Congress.

[hollowdweller]

6. Clarke- Another Straight Shooter NOT picked by Obama

Putting him back in should have been a no brainer.