TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Cheney: Obama Administration Should Thank Bush, Admit They Were 'Just Dead Wrong' On Iraq
Appearing on This Week, former Vice President Dick Cheney attacked the Obama administration's handling of Iraq and other national security issues. "They opposed the surge that was absolutely crucial to our getting to the point we're at now with respect to Iraq. And for them to try to take credit for what's happened in Iraq strikes me as a little strange," said Cheney. "I think if -- if they had had their way, if we'd followed the policies they'd pursued from the outset or advocated from the outset, Saddam Hussein would still be in power in Baghdad today. So if they're going to take credit for it, fair enough, for what they've done while they're there, but it ought to go with a healthy dose of 'Thank you, George Bush' up front and a recognition that some of their early recommendations, with respect to prosecuting that war, were just dead wrong."

Biden: Cheney 'Trying To Rewrite History'
Appearing on Meet The Press, Vice President Joe Biden fired back at his predecessor Dick Cheney's frequent criticism of the administration. "I'm not gonna guess about [Dick Cheney's] motive. All I know is he's factually, substantively wrong, on the major criticisms he is asserting. Why he's insisting on that - he either is misinformed or he is misinforming. But the facts are that his assertions are not accurate," said Biden, who also added: "It's almost like Dick is trying to rewrite history. I can understand where the-- why that would be, you know, an impulse."

Cheney: Reconsider Ban On Gays In The Military, 'I Think The Society Has Moved On'
Also during his appearance on This Week, former Vice President Dick Cheney said that it is time to reconsider "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and the ban on gays serving in the military: "I think the society has moved on. I think it's partly a generational question. I say, I'm reluctant to second-guess the military in this regard, because they're the ones that have got to make the judgment about how these policies affect the military capability of our -- of our units ... When the chiefs come forward and say, "We think we can do it," then it strikes me that it's -- it's time to reconsider the policy. And I think Admiral Mullen said that."

Biden: 'We Have No Doubt' Criminal Court Best Way To Try KSM, Get Information
Appearing on Face The Nation, Vice President Joe Biden stood by the Obama administration's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian criminal court. "We have no doubt the best, most effective legal way to get his guy behind bars for the longest time and get the most information with the most certainty is in an Article Three court," said Biden, referring to the federal court system.

Jones: I Don't Know What Cheney's Information Is
Appearing on State of the Union, National Security Adviser James Jones suggested that former Vice President Dick Cheney is not informed of the facts, when he criticizes the Obama administration on national security. "I don't know what his information is. I just would ask people to consider the fact that these are very serious issues for our country and that when you take them on, you take them on in a respectful way," said Jones. "We consult and share with both sides equally of the political spectrum and we'll continue to do that. In the national security council, we can't do it any other way."

Jones: Recidivism Rate For Terror Detainees 'Never Going To Be Zero'
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, National Security Adviser James Jones stood by a statement from Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan, who said that the 20% recidivism rate for released terror detainees "isn't that bad." "It's never going to be zero," said Jones. "We have a long history of having convicted terrorist in federal courts, locking them up for many, many years and doing the best we can, but zero is not going to be the standard in which we try to achieve it."

Ford: I've Paid Taxes 'On All New York Income," My Wife And I Will File As State Resident For 2009
Appearing on Meet The Press, former Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) defended his record of paying taxes in New York state, where he is considering a run for Senate. "Absolutely. Paid taxes on all New York income the last two years. And, for the first time, in '09 my wife and I will file as residents of New York," said Ford. "But this is politics. They've tried to distort my record on choice, my record on other social issues. But, at the end of the day, voters in New York are as unsettled and as worried about their futures as any other set of voters across the country. At the end of the day, many people in the state don't know Senator Gillibrand, don't know a whole lot about her. But there'll will be time, if I run, to litigate that line by line."

Schock Defends Getting Projects For His District, From Bills He Voted Against
Appearing on Meet The Press, Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) defended himself against attacks from Rachel Maddow, that he had touted projects in his district funded through the stimulus, and other bills he voted against. "I think that argument that liberals are making is absolutely ridiculous. With all due respect, Rachel, does that mean you're going to give back your Bush tax cuts that you continue to rail against?" said Schock, also adding: "At the end of the day, my constituents and their children and grandchildren will be on the hook for the debt that's being created by this majority...and they deserve to have their fair share of federal spending."