Para publicación inmediata
1 de julio de 2010
Contacto: Ricardo A. Ramírez, 202-863-8148

IRIS MARTINEZ, PRESIDENTA DEL CAUCUS HISPANO DEL DNC, APLAUDE EL DISCURSO DEL PRESIDENTE OBAMA SOBRE LA REFORMA DE LA INMIGRACIÓN

Washington, D.C. – Tras el discurso del Presidente Obama sobre la reforma integral de la inmigración, la presidenta del Grupo Hispano (Hispanic Caucus) del DNC, Iris Y. Martínez, emitió las siguientes declaraciones:

“El discurso del Presidente Obama sobre la reforma de inmigración es un fuerte recordatorio del compromiso y las medidas de su gobierno para solucionar los problemas del fallido sistema de inmigración por medio de una reforma integral de inmigración de sentido común, que haga al gobierno federal responsable por la seguridad fronteriza, que haga que las empresas rindan cuentas por sus actos y requiera que los inmigrantes ilegales admitan que infringieron la ley, aprendan inglés, paguen sus impuestos y tomen otras medidas para regularizar su situación antes de ponerse en fila para obtener la ciudadanía.

“Pero el discurso del Presidente también es un recordatorio de que, a pesar de las medidas del gobierno y el liderazgo de los demócratas al respecto, los republicanos continúan dándole prioridad a la política: ningún republicano se ha sumado a los demócratas en su esfuerzo por aprobar la reforma. Once senadores republicanos que votaron a favor de la reforma integral de la inmigración en el 2007 son ahora parte del grupo que está haciendo todo lo posible por detener el plan del Presidente y, en sus propias palabras, ‘acabar’ con el Presidente.

“Las calculadas movidas políticas de los republicanos ya no pueden ser a costa de la solución a los problemas de nuestro sistema de inmigración. Estados como Arizona están aprobando leyes de inmigración equivocadas, lo que es indicio de la frustración del pueblo estadounidense con el fallido sistema de inmigración. El estatus quo no funciona para nuestros inmigrantes, nuestras comunidades ni la economía, y está claro que el Presidente Obama no puede reformar solo el sistema de inmigración. Es hora de que los republicanos dejen de postergar el problema y estén dispuestos a hacerles frente a los desafíos del país. Es hora de unirnos al Presidente Obama y los demócratas del Senado para aprobar la reforma integral de la inmigración”.

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2010
Contact: DNC Press (202) 863-8148

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Commends President Obama's Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court

Washington, DC - Today, President Obama announced his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. In response, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine - a former civil rights lawyer with extensive trial and appellate-level legal work - issued the following statement:

"I want to commend President Obama for his nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court. People on both sides of the aisle agree that Solicitor General Kagan has a keen legal mind, and I believe she is an excellent choice for this important position.

“Elena Kagan is a trailblazer. Throughout her career as Solicitor General, the Dean of Harvard Law School, Associate Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Clinton, and clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall - Kagan has impressed all who have encountered her with her legal acumen and her ability to build consensus on important and sometimes contentious issues of law and policy. She has a demonstrated history of listening to all sides of an argument and considering all viewpoints, something that will serve her well as a Supreme Court justice.

“Elena Kagan has demonstrated excellence in her study and application of the law, and a commitment to public service. And in her many different positions, she has focused on advancing opportunity and combating injustice in keeping with the Constitution and the laws of the United States. In selecting Kagan to serve as the first female Solicitor General in American history, President Obama knew she would serve America with integrity and tenacity. Over the last year, she has exceeded even those expectations and has worked hard to represent the best interests of the American people before the Supreme Court - I have full faith that she would continue to do so as a member of that body.

“It’s also important to note that the confirmation of Solicitor General Kagan would bring the number of women on the Supreme Court to an unprecedented three - the most ever - and it would ensure that every American who comes before the Court receives a thorough hearing, a thoughtful response, and a full measure of justice.

“I would like to again commend President Obama for his choice of Elena Kagan and wish Solicitor General Kagan the best of luck during the confirmation process."

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2010
Contact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148

DNC Veterans Council Commends President Obama On Support for Veterans

Washington, DC – Today, the Washington Times published a story highlighting President Obama’s progress in meeting campaign promises to America’s veterans. Specifically, the Washington Times notes, “All sides agree the President Obama has made big strides on promises he made in 2008 when competing for military votes against Republican nominee and Vietnam veteran Sen. John McCain - to fully fund the Veterans Administration, expand access to care in rural areas and improve treatment for mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.”

In response to the article, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (U.S. Army, retired) and Col. Don Fowler (U.S. Army, retired), Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Committee’s Veterans and Military Families Council released the following statement:

“From day one, President Obama made it clear that he would stand with the men and women who have bravely served our country. While national news organizations are only now beginning to take note of the President’s commitment to military service members, his commitment is already yielding substantive benefits for military veterans and their families.

“President Obama and Democratic Members of Congress have worked hard not only to ensure that soldiers and service members have the resources they need on the battlefield – they have fought to ensure they have the care and services they deserve when they come home. The President and Congressional Democrats have vastly increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, allocating new funds for veterans’ health care – including treatment for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other injuries too common among today’s veterans. Thanks to President Obama, last year the VA saw its biggest increase in funding in 30 years, and he is requesting another double digit increase for FY2011. The President has also implemented the Post 9/11 GI Bill, providing historic new educational benefits for America’s veterans.

“We would like to take this opportunity to commend President Obama for his ongoing efforts on behalf of America’s men and women on the front lines. The President’s efforts and achievements on behalf of American service members more than fulfill the President’s campaign promises to veterans. He has made it clear that America’s veterans have an ally and a friend in the White House.”

Para publicación inmediata
23 de abril de 2010
Contacto: Ricardo A. Ramírez, 202-863-8148

Declaraciones del presidente del DNC Tim Kaine sobre la ley de inmigración de Arizona

Washington, DC – Hoy, la gobernadora de Arizona Jan Brewer promulgó una nueva y restrictiva medida que requeriría que los policías de Arizona interroguen a cualquier persona que sospechen que vive ilegalmente en Estados Unidos. En sus declaraciones, el presidente del Comité Nacional Demócrata (DNC) Tim Kaine criticó la medida:

“Hoy, el Presidente Obama destacó el trabajo en curso de su gobierno y los demócratas en el Congreso para lograr una reforma integral de inmigración que ponga énfasis sobre el cumplimiento de nuestras leyes de inmigración y la responsabilidad de las partes involucradas, y a la vez cree una vía para que salgan de las sombras los 11 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que actualmente viven y trabajan en Estados Unidos.

“Desafortunadamente, mientras los demócratas en Washington buscan una solución responsable para los desafíos que todos enfrentamos con respecto a las actuales leyes de inmigración de Estados Unidos, los republicanos han propuesto un conjunto de soluciones extremas e incongruentes que no mejorarán la situación sino que más bien ayudarán a socavar las libertades y derechos civiles de los estadounidenses, y a la vez promoverán la intolerancia. No existe ejemplo más claro de tal extremismo que la ley promulgada hoy en Arizona por la gobernadora republicana Jan Brewer y respaldada por el senador John McCain, quien previamente había sido uno de los proponentes de la reforma integral de la inmigración. La nueva ley de Arizona socava la noción fundamental para los estadounidenses de justicia y le da legitimidad al prejuicio, y además es de mentalidad estrecha y poca visión.

“Tengo la esperanza de que en vez de apoyar medidas tan desacertadas, los republicanos en el Congreso se sumen al Presidente y los demócratas en el Congreso a fin de encontrar una solución responsable para la reforma de inmigración, que promueva que se respeten las leyes, haga que los recursos de las agencias de la ley se sigan dedicando a combatir la conducta criminal y beneficie a todos los estadounidenses”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 23, 2010

Contact: A’shanti Gholar (202) 863-8000

DNC YOUTH COUNCIL CELEBRATES THE HISTORIC SIGNING OF HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Youth Council Co-Chairs Jason Rae and Amber Goodwin issued the following statement following the signing of Health Insurance Reform by President Barack Obama.

“Today, President Barack Obama signed a monumental piece of legislation that will change healthcare for the better for every American, especially young Americans. We extend our sincere thanks to President Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress for their leadership on this historic legislation.

“This is a bill that will positively benefit all Americans, young and old, for generations to come. No longer will young Americans be forced to choose between seeking necessary medical coverage or years of crippling debt.

“We are so thankful for the work of Speaker Nancy Pelosi for making sure that the views of young Americans were heard and answered Sunday night with the historic votes.”

DNC CHAIRMAN TIM KAINE APPLAUDS PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON TODAY’S BIPARTISAN SUMMIT

Washington, D.C. – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement tonight on the President’s bipartisan health reform summit:

“Today’s summit on the future of health care in this country, while far from resolving all of the differences between Republicans and Democrats on reforming our broken health insurance system, was a huge win for the American people.

“For over seven hours today, the President led a vigorous, respectful and historic discussion with representatives from both parties and houses in Congress about how best to reform this country’s broken health insurance system. At every opportunity, the President displayed genuine devotion to delving into the specifics of the proposals and sought, wherever possible, to resolve key differences and find common ground.

“During today’s meeting, the President continued to seek bipartisan agreement on issues of importance to the American people. Of course, differences do remain. Democrats made the case for their comprehensive approach that lowers costs, increases coverage and curbs unfair and discriminatory insurance industry practices. The Republicans have not offered comprehensive counter-proposals that achieve these goals and continue to favor a piecemeal approach that has empowered insurance companies to increase the numbers of uninsured, provide less security for those who are insured and increase health care costs for all Americans.

“It continues to be clear, and today both parties agreed, that we can no longer defer action on addressing this country’s broken health insurance system. This country cannot continue to wait for comprehensive action on health insurance reform and incremental steps will not achieve the type of meaningful reform American families and businesses so desperately need. Accordingly, I echo the President’s call today for Republicans to dig deep and identify areas where agreements can be forged on issues like expanding insurance coverage for the millions who lack it and guaranteeing that all consumers have access to care.”

###

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine today echoed the President’s call for Congress to take swift action to finish the job and deliver hard-working Americans the health insurance reforms they so desperately need.

“Today, the President outlined the way forward on health insurance reform and called on Congress to act with dispatch to pass historic and long overdue reforms to our country’s health insurance system,” said Kaine. “Almost a year has passed since this process began, marking another year that American families and businesses have struggled under the budget-breaking reality of sky-rocketing health insurance costs, another year in which insurance companies have made decisions based on their bottom lines rather than the health of the American people and another year in which millions of Americans lack any coverage at all. Today, the President made clear what most Americans know all too well: we cannot delay any longer. The final march for reform begins now.

“Fortunately, there seems to be widespread agreement across the political spectrum that we must enact reform this year. And, as President Obama’s health care summit demonstrated last week, there are a number of areas of agreement between the parties on what steps must be taken to address critical problems within our health insurance system. Where possible, the President has sought to incorporate Republican ideas into his proposal and I don’t believe anyone could argue in good faith that this President has made anything less than a sincere effort at bipartisanship.

“At the same time, President Obama is one hundred percent right to disagree with the Republicans’ approach of maintaining the status quo which allows insurance companies to call all the shots instead of patients and doctors - leaving consumers vulnerable to discrimination and denial of coverage. Absent the critical consumer protections the President has proposed, insurance companies would still have the freedom to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and to raise premiums on struggling Americans without cause or explanation. That is simply unacceptable.

“Republican leaders from Michael Steele to Mitch McConnell have said that they will hold Democrats responsible for these reforms come November. I hope they do. If Republican leaders want to campaign on the belief that there is nothing wrong with the way insurance companies currently do business, then that’s a fight Democrats are ready to have.

“President Obama has clearly laid out the much needed changes his proposal will make and the American people deserve an up-or-down vote on these critical reforms. And today, I am proud to stand firmly with the President in calling on each and every member of the United States Congress to join us on this final march for reform.”

The President’s plan when signed into law will do three things:

First, it would end the worst practices of insurance companies. No longer would insurers be able to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop your coverage because you got sick. And they wouldn’t be able to charge unlimited amounts for out of pocket expenses or arbitrarily raise premiums.

Second, it would give small businesses and people who don’t get insurance at work the same choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress will get. And for those who still can’t afford insurance in this new marketplace, the plan will offer tax credits based on income to purchase coverage.

Third, the President’s proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions – for families, businesses, and the federal government – and it would extend the life of Medicare and go after waste and abuse while reducing errors and improving care for people.

For Immediate Release
March 3, 2010

Contact: Ricardo A. Ramírez (202) 863 – 8148

DNC CHAIRMAN KAINE JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA IN CALLING ON CONGRESS TO FINISH THE JOB, PASS HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

“Final March For Reform” Begins Today, Says Chairman Kaine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine today echoed the President’s call for Congress to take swift action to finish the job and deliver hard-working Americans the health insurance reforms they so desperately need.

“Today, the President outlined the way forward on health insurance reform and called on Congress to act with dispatch to pass historic and long overdue reforms to our country’s health insurance system,” said Kaine. “Almost a year has passed since this process began, marking another year that American families and businesses have struggled under the budget-breaking reality of sky-rocketing health insurance costs, another year in which insurance companies have made decisions based on their bottom lines rather than the health of the American people and another year in which millions of Americans lack any coverage at all. Today, the President made clear what most Americans know all too well: we cannot delay any longer. The final march for reform begins now.

“Fortunately, there seems to be widespread agreement across the political spectrum that we must enact reform this year. And, as President Obama’s health care summit demonstrated last week, there are a number of areas of agreement between the parties on what steps must be taken to address critical problems within our health insurance system. Where possible, the President has sought to incorporate Republican ideas into his proposal and I don’t believe anyone could argue in good faith that this President has made anything less than a sincere effort at bipartisanship.

“At the same time, President Obama is one hundred percent right to disagree with the Republicans’ approach of maintaining the status quo which allows insurance companies to call all the shots instead of patients and doctors - leaving consumers vulnerable to discrimination and denial of coverage. Absent the critical consumer protections the President has proposed, insurance companies would still have the freedom to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and to raise premiums on struggling Americans without cause or explanation. That is simply unacceptable.

“Republican leaders from Michael Steele to Mitch McConnell have said that they will hold Democrats responsible for these reforms come November. I hope they do. If Republican leaders want to campaign on the belief that there is nothing wrong with the way insurance companies currently do business, then that’s a fight Democrats are ready to have.

“President Obama has clearly laid out the much needed changes his proposal will make and the American people deserve an up-or-down vote on these critical reforms. And today, I am proud to stand firmly with the President in calling on each and every member of the United States Congress to join us on this final march for reform.”

The President’s plan when signed into law will do three things:

First, it would end the worst practices of insurance companies. No longer would insurers be able to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop your coverage because you got sick. And they wouldn’t be able to charge unlimited amounts for out of pocket expenses or arbitrarily raise premiums.

Second, it would give small businesses and people who don’t get insurance at work the same choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress will get. And for those who still can’t afford insurance in this new marketplace, the plan will offer tax credits based on income to purchase coverage.

Third, the President’s proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions – for families, businesses, and the federal government – and it would extend the life of Medicare and go after waste and abuse while reducing errors and improving care for people.

###

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2010

Contact: DNC Press, 202-863-8148

DNC Chairman Congratulates Bill White, Linda Chavez-Thompson on Texas Democratic Primary Victories

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement following news that Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson tonight won the Democratic nominations for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, in the Texas primary:

“I congratulate Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson on their victories tonight, important steps in our march toward victory this November. Bill’s skill as an executive was clear during his time as mayor of Houston, when the Houston area led in job growth and crime dropped to its lowest level in more than 25 years. And Linda has fought tirelessly on behalf of working families during her years of service to the AFL-CIO. White and Chavez-Thompson are proven leaders who have stood up for middle class families in their public lives, and they are just what Texas needs to move forward.

“For far too long Texans have suffered because they have had an out-of-touch ideologue as Governor—one who is all too willing to put politics ahead of Texans. This has resulted in a population where a higher percentage of people lack health insurance than in any other state and a large number of students drop out of school every year. It seems that over the past few years, for Texans the American Dream has become more and more out of reach.

“Texas deserves better. They need leaders who will advocate for policies that will create opportunities for families and businesses alike. In Bill White and Linda Chavez-Thompson, Texans have strong, pragmatic leaders who will put results ahead of extreme ideology. That’s a winning combination for a strong ticket and for the people of Texas.”

###

For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010

Contact: DNC Press (202) 863-8148

KAINE CONGRATULATES THE SENATE ON PASSING A BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE JOBS

Legislations Continues The Path To Economic Stability That The President Began Over A Year Ago When He Signed The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to the Senate’s vote today in favor of a new bill to create jobs and bolster economic progress:

“Today’s Senate vote marks another critical step on the path to economic stability. This time last year, the economy was shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs each month and the country was in an economic spiral. One year later, the CBO reports that the Recovery Act saved up to 2.1 million jobs in the fourth quarter of 2009 alone and grew the economy by 3.5 percent while holding unemployment to 2.1 percent lower than it would have been without the President’s swift action last year.

“This legislation will support ongoing investments in infrastructure and boost small businesses, both of which are major drivers of job growth. Jobs remain priority number one for the President, for Democrats in Congress and for the Party at-large and I am grateful to those Republicans who joined us in supporting the President’s effort to rebuild our economy through job creation. Nothing could be more central to the American dream than a job. That is why I am urging swift passage of this legislation by the House of Representatives so that the President may sign the bill and we can continue our historic effort to build a 21st century economy.”

###

For Immediate Release

February 23, 2010

Contact: DNC Press (202) 863-8148

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Praises New CBO Report Confirming The Recovery Act Created Up To 2.1 Million Jobs In The Final Quarter Of 2009

Washington, D.C. – DNC Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement today on the news of the latest CBO report further indicating the success of the Recovery Act:

“The report issued today from the nonpartisan CBO could not be clearer in its conclusions. In the fourth quarter of 2009 alone, the President’s Recovery Act was directly responsible for creating up to 2.1 million jobs, holding the unemployment rate to 2.1 percent lower than it would have been otherwise and growing the economy by 3.5 percent.

“The reality of this report is welcome news to the millions of Americans who have a job thanks to the Recovery Act. With each passing month, the list grows of independent organizations that have concluded that the Recovery Act was critical to preventing the next Great Depression and is working as anticipated to stabilize our economy. Yet, there are still too many Americans without a job and we still have more work to do to ensure that our economy is poised for decades of growth. As the President has said many times, we never expected this process to be easy or quick and, in fact, today’s CBO report attributes any delay in recovery to an economy more deeply damaged than initially projected, rather than any deficiencies in the Recovery Act.

“With the release of these definitive findings and as more Americans feel the impact of the Recovery Act at home, the question of whether the Recovery Act worked has been answered in the affirmative. And yes, today’s findings by the CBO confirm that those who supported the Recovery Act were right to do so, and is bad political news for those who opposed it and cheered against its success. But this isn’t about politics. This is about getting the country back on track.

“In light of these definitive findings, we hope Republicans will put aside politics, and will now – as Governors Crist and Schwarzenegger have done - get behind what’s right for the country.”

###

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2010

Contact: DNC Press, 202.863.8148

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Statement on Election of Roslyn M. Brock as the new Chairwoman of the N.A.A.C.P.

Washington – Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement regarding the election of Roslyn Brock as the new chairwoman of the N.A.A.C.P. :

"I am honored to congratulate Roslyn M. Brock on her election as the new Chair of the Board of Directors for the N.A.A.C.P. With her election Chairwoman Brock becomes only the fourth woman to serve in that position and the youngest Chair of this historic and venerable organization. As a former civil rights attorney I look forward to watching the continued success of the N.A.A.C.P. under Chairwoman Brock's leadership as they continue to wage the fight for justice and equality."

###

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2010

Contact – DNC Press (202) 863-8148

DNC CHAIRMAN TIM KAINE PRAISES PRESIDENT'S HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM PROPOSAL

KAINE: PRESIDENT'S HEALTH INSURANCE REFORMS WILL PUT A STOP TO UNFAIR AND DISCRIMINATORY INSURANCE INDUSTRY PRACTICES WHILE EXTENDING COVERAGE TO MILLIONS AND REDUCING THE DEFICIT

Washington, D.C. – Please see below for a statement from DNC Chairman Tim Kaine on the President’s new health insurance reform proposal.

“The health reform package offered by the President today responds to the needs of the American people by protecting those who have health insurance, providing a path to affordable insurance for those who don’t have it or are faced with losing it, and puts meaningful controls on health care costs.

“The proposal builds upon existing legislation and includes provisions to cut waste, fraud and abuse while making health care more affordable and available. The proposal would set up a Health Insurance Rate Authority to regulate unreasonable rate hikes. It offers tax credits amounting to the biggest middle class tax cut for health care in our nation’s history. It would help extend coverage to over 31 million more Americans who are without health insurance.

“Every day that passes without real legislation to reform our broken health care system is another day millions of Americans go without much needed coverage or fear a loss of coverage, another day employers must make tough decisions to manage sky rocketing health care costs, and another day that some insurance companies will engage in unfair practices and unreasonable rate hikes. Just this month, a major health insurer notified California residents of premium increases of nearly forty percent.

“We are closer than ever to reforming our broken health care system, and the President’s proposal today is the next big step to arriving at that goal. My hope is that Republicans will now set aside obstruction and partisan games and make a genuine effort to help pass meaningful reform on behalf of the American people.”

###

This morning, Dick Cheney once again exhibited breathtaking hypocrisy and convoluted logic to justify attacking the Obama Administration on foreign policy. Cheney repeated his debunked claim that the Obama Administration does not recognize that the United States is "at war" with Al Qaeda, when the President has repeatedly declared we are. The former Vice President also used bizarre logic to assert that the Bush Administration mirandizing Richard Reid was different than Abdulmutallab because Reid later plead guilty - a ludicrous differentiation as it happened well after the fact. Cheney also claimed that waterboarding should have been left open as an option to use on Abdulmutallab, despite the fact that he is giving up information without the United States resorting to torture. But Cheney conceded that he was just as isolated in his opinions regarding torture when the Bush Administration debated it. Just as he was wrong and out of touch then, he remains so now.

Some of Cheney's Outrageous Claims This Morning

• Cheney Claimed the Obama Administration Was Slow to Recognize That “We Are at War”
• Cheney Rationalized Mirandizing Reid…Because He Eventually Plead Guilty
• Cheney Said Waterboarding Should Have Been Left Open as an Option on Abdulmutallab
• Cheney Conceded That Even In The Bush Administration, Most People Didn't Agree With Him On Torture And That He Was A Lone Wolf

Cheney Claimed the Administration Was Slow to Recognize That “We Are at War”

Cheney: What the administration was slow to do was to come to that recognition that we are at war, not dealing with criminal acts. [ABC This Week, 2/14/10]

Obama: “We are At War.” “Over the past two weeks, we've been reminded again of the challenge we face in protecting our country against a foe that is bent on our destruction. And while passions and politics can often obscure the hard work before us, let's be clear about what this moment demands. We are at war. We are at war against al Qaeda, a far-reaching network of violence and hatred that attacked us on 9/11, that killed nearly 3,000 innocent people, and that is plotting to strike us again. And we will do whatever it takes to defeat them.” [Obama Speech, 1/7/10]

Cheney Rationalized Mirandizing Reid…Because He Eventually Plead Guilty

Wallace: Was it a mistake when your administration, took on the Richard Reid case. This is similar. Somebody trying blow up an airliner with a shoe bomb. He was within five minutes getting taken off that plane, read his Miranda rights, and tried through the civilian system. Was that a mistake?

Cheney: He was not tried. He pled guilty. They never did have a trial. Secondly, when this came up, as I recall, it was December of '01. We were not yet operational with the military commissions. Had not yet had the Supreme Court rulings handed down.

Wallace: You still had the option to put him into military custody?

Cheney: We could have. i don't question that. The point is, in this particular case, all of that was not worked out primarily because he pled guilty. [ABC This Week, 2/14/10]




Cheney Said Waterboarding Should Have Been Left Open as an Option on Abdulmutallab

Wallace: If you have somebody in custody like Abdulmutallab, you think he's got information on coming attacks, should the enhanced interrogation techniques been employed?

Cheney: I think the professionals need to make that decision. We had people in our administration who are experts. Many of them are probably still there. They are the ones you ought to turn someone like Abdulmutallab over to. Let them be the judge with whether he's prepared to cooperate and how they can best achieve his cooperation.

Wallace: You believe they should have had everything up to and including waterboarding?

Cheney: I think you should have everything on the table. President Obama has taken them off the table. I think that's a mistake. [ABC This Week, 2/14/10]

ABDULMUTALLAB IS COOPERATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES AND PROVIDING INTELLIGENCE

New York Times: “Official Says Terrorism Suspect Is Cooperating.” “Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a jetliner bound for Detroit on Dec. 25, started talking to investigators after two of his family members arrived in the United States and helped earn his cooperation, a senior administration official said Tuesday evening. Mr Abdulmutallab, 23, began speaking to F.B.I. agents last week in Detroit and has not stopped, two government officials said. The officials declined to disclose what information was obtained from him, but said it was aiding in the investigation of the attempted terrorist attack. ‘With the family, the F.B.I. approached the suspect,’ the senior administration official said, speaking to reporters at the White House on the condition of anonymity because of the pending legal case. ‘He has been cooperating for days.’ The cooperation was first disclosed during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, as the suspect’s interrogation became the subject of an intense political debate over whether he initially stopped providing information after he was read his Miranda rights and received a lawyer.” [New York Times, 2/2/10]

Senior Administration Official: Abdulmuttalab Has Been Cooperating With Authorities And Sharing Intelligence And His Family Has Been “Instrumental In Gaining Mr. Abdulmuttalab’s Cooperation.” “The family of the failed Christmas Day bomber, Umar Farouq Abdulmuttalab, played a pivotal role in getting their son to start cooperating with federal authorities in sharing information about Al Qaeda, a senior administration official said Tuesday evening. Abdulmuttalab has been cooperating with authorities and sharing intelligence since last Thursday, another administration official told ABC News. The family was ‘instrumental in gaining Mr. Abdulmuttalab’s cooperation,’ said the senior administration official. The information Abdulmuttalab is sharing has been described by other officials as fresh and actionable. ‘It has been very successful,’ the official said, ‘as far as gaining his cooperation that will allow us then to follow up on that information.’ He said the intelligence gained ‘has been disseminated throughout the intelligence community.’” [ABC News, 2/2/10]

Abdulmuttalab Was Talking To FBI Agents At The Same Time That Republicans Were Slamming His Presence In The Criminal Justice System. “Abdulmuttalab was talking to FBI agents on Saturday, at the same time Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, ranking Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, issued the Republican response to the president's weekly address, decrying Abdulmuttalab's presence in the criminal justice system. Collins is just one of many critics questioning why Abdulmuttalab was read his Miranda rights under the criminal justice system instead of being interrogated under military rules. ‘There is a reason why these things are done the way they are done and believe me it frustrated the hell out of me to listen to a lot of the comments being made that were criticizing this process,’ the official said. ‘But the premium that this White House – that this president puts on these operations – is to make sure that we do everything possible to protect the American people.’” [ABC News, 2/2/10]

FBI Director Mueller: Mirandizing Abdulmutallab Did Not Prevent Obtainment Of Useful Intelligence. Yesterday, FBI Director Robert Mueller confirmed that federal agents have been successful in obtaining intelligence from Abdulmutallab: "It is a continuum in which over a period of time, we have been successful in obtaining intelligence, not just on day 1, but on day 2, day 3 day 4 and day 5 down the road." [Robert Mueller, via Adam Serwer, 2/03/10]

Officials With Access To Abdulmutallab: Putting Bomber In Front Of Military Would Have Foreclosed Further Cooperation. The same administration official told ABC that "Those who had access to Abdulmuttalab concluded that 'putting him in front of somebody with a military uniform would have made him even more opposed to any type of cooperation.'" [ABC News,2/02/10]

Cheney Conceded That Even In The Bush Administration, Most People Didn't Agree With Him On Torture And That He Was A Lone Wolf

Wallace: On the question of trying, or dealing with the enemy combatants. I came across this, a document put out by the bush justice department by attorney general Ashcroft. If you go to page one, they out the criminal wos cushions, saying that the department has brought charges against 375 and convicted 195 to date. That was 2005. It seems to make the administration's point that they're not doing it all that differently than you did.

Cheney: We didn't all agree with that. I remember meeting in the Roosevelt room where we had a major shootout to how this was going to be handled. A lot of us wanted to treat it as an intelligence matter, an act of war. We never thoroughly or totally resolved those issues. These are tough questions. You want my opinion of what ought to happen? I think we have to treat it as a war. This is a strategic threat to the United States. I think that's why we were successful for 7 1/2 years for avoiding threats to the United States. I get upset when that's the dominant approach. As it was at times in the bush administration and as it appears to be, at times, in the Obama administration.

Wallace: Did you more often win or lose those battles?

Cheney: I suppose it depends on what once you're talking about.

Wallace: Water boarding?

Cheney: I was a supporter of that.

Wallace: You oppose doing away with water boarding?

Cheney: Yes. [ABC This Week, 2/14/10]




• CAUGHT RED-HANDED: MSNBC Host Savannah Guthrie Demolishes Sen. Kit Bond For His Double-Speak On National Security
  

  Bond, Gingrich Exposed For Ignoring Facts While Playing Politics With Terror Trials

  Watch Kit Bond HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bws40OPO__w

  Watch Newt Gingrich HERE: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-9-2010/exclusive---newt-gingrich-extended-interview

  
  The last 24 hours of cable television has - to say the least - not been kind to Republican leaders who continue to hypocritically attack the White House's handling of the suspected Detroit bomber. Last night during an interview on the Daily Show, Newt Gingrich attacked the Obama administration over the decision to mirandize the Detroit bomber. When host Jon Stewart pointed out that the same decision had been made under President Bush to mirandize shoe bomber Richard Reid, Gingrich responded that Reid was "an American citizen." The only problem? Richard Reid is actually a British citizen.

  Not to be outdone, this morning on MSNBC Senator Kit Bond also attempted to defend the GOP's hypocritical attacks of the White House on national security. When pressed, Bond has no explanation for why Republicans stood by their Commander-in-Chief's decision to mirandize Reid and are now crying indignantly for White House officials to resign.

  It's clear from both of these appearances that Republican leaders are offering nothing but outright fallacies in their effort to turn the President's actions on national security into a political wedge. Between comments from Gingrich and Bond, the Republicans have shredded any credibility they hoped to have on this issue. It's utterly pathetic that in their rush to fear-monger and demagogue our national security - not to mention attack our law enforcement officials - Republicans can't even be bothered to get their facts right.