Dick Cheney blasts Obama’s ‘second-rate’ national security team

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday night that President Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by nominating substandard candidates for key Cabinet posts and by degrading the U.S. military.

“The performance now of Barack Obama as he staffs up the national security team for the second term is dismal,” Mr. Cheney said in comments to about 300 members of the Wyoming Republican Party.

Mr. Cheney, a Wyoming native, said it was vital to the nation’s national security that “good folks” hold the positions of secretary of state, CIA director and secretary of defense.

“Frankly, what he has appointed are second-rate people,” he said.

John F. Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, has been confirmed as secretary of state. CIA-designate John Brennan and Defense Secretary-nominee Chuck Hagel are still awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation.

Wyoming’s two U.S. senators, Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, voted for Mr. Kerry’s confirmation. Both Mr. Enzi and Mr. Barrasso gave introductory speeches for Mr. Cheney on Saturday night.

Mr. Cheney said Mr. Hagel, a former Nebraska U.S. senator, was chosen because Mr. Obama “wants to have a Republican that he can use to take the heat for what he plans to do to the Department of Defense.”

He said Mr. Obama’s plans are to allow severe cuts in U.S. defense spending, which would limit the capability of the U.S. military to respond to future foreign crises well after Mr. Obama has left office.

“He is today … establishing what limitations will be on future presidents,” Mr. Cheney said.

Mr. Cheney noted that the security situation in the Middle East and North Africa has worsened under Mr. Obama’s watch with Iran actively pursuing nuclear weapons and with turmoil in Egypt, Syria, Mali and elsewhere.

“That part of the world is as dangerous now as it has ever been,” he said.

The Obama administration’s response has been to pull back U.S. military presence and influence, resulting in rising mistrust of the U.S. from allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, he said.

Despite Mr. Obama’s re-election victory, Mr. Cheney said he hopes Republicans can revive their political fortunes by holding to conservative principles.

“I believe we’re all going to pull together, work hard, dig in and do what needs to be done,” he said.

Mr. Cheney, who received a heart transplant about a year ago, appeared fit, although his voice turned hoarse on occasion during his half-hour speech.

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