Now we know that Cheney was trying to insulate himself preemptively.
Dems Blame Bush Admin For Terror Attempt
December 30, 2009 12:59 PM
By Reid Wilson
As GOPers begin increasingly using the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner to score political points, 2 Dems are blaming the Bush admin for events that led directly to the failed attack.
While many Dems stay silent and let the WH lead the way, DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) say the previous admin let down their guard.
"In general, we are facing the consequences of the Bush administration's failures to deal with al Qaeda," Van Hollen told Hotline OnCall. "The Republicans have no business in pointing fingers at the Obama administration on terrorism and national security."
"The Obama administration has been much more aggressive about going after al Qaeda than the Bush administration, which turned its focus from al Qaeda to Iraq," he added. The Obama admin has "been on the offense in places where the Bush administration had taken its eye off the ball."Meanwhile, Massa has taken on ex-VP Dick Cheney, who he says is directly responsible for releasing the top al Qaeda figures in Yemen who aided and trained the Nigerian-born suspect.
"I would remind the American public that the apparent leaders of the al Qaeda cell in Yemen were 2 terrorists who were released by Vice President Cheney in secret. I think there's a level of accountability that has to be levied personally on the vice president," Massa said in an interview. "He is personally responsible for that."Privately, some Dems have worried that allowing GOP charges to go unanswered gives the opposition another chance to claim the political high ground on national security. As Pres. Obama vacations in HI over the holidays, Van Hollen said the WH should be more aggressive in pushing back on attacks from the GOP.
"The Democrats need to fight back on this issue, keeping in mind that our goal is to focus constantly on how we can improve the national security of the American people. The Obama administration should not allow the Republicans to continue to get away with playing politics on this issue," Van Hollen said. "I think the American people are better served if we look to the future, but we need to make sure {that} playing politics with national security cannot go unanswered."
more...
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2009/12/dems_blame_bush.php
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