Cheney Speech: Obama ‘Deserves an Answer’

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports: Former Vice President Dick Cheney today will offer some praise for President Obama in addition to a strong defense of Bush administration national-security policies, in a speech that will be delivered just minutes after Obama outlines his approach to key issues in fighting terrorism. Cheney will make his national-security speech at the conservative American Enterprise Institute immediately following President Obama’s 10:10 am ET speech at the National Archives. "When President Obama makes wise decisions," Cheney will say, "he deserves our support. When he mischaracterizes the decisions we made, he deserves an answer." "The responsibilities we carried belong to others now. And though I’m not here to speak for George W. Bush, I am certain that no one wishes the current administration more success in defending the country than we do.  We understand the complexities of national security decisions. We understand the pressures that confront a president and his advisers…" "Right now there is considerable debate in this city about the measures our administration took to defend the American people — and especially about our methods of gathering intelligence. What I want to do today is set forth the strategic thinking that drove our policies…" Cheney has told AEI that he won’t start his speech until Obama is finished.  Large television screen will bring Obama’s speech live to Cheney and his audience at AEI.  Among Obama’s "wise decisions,” according to Cheney:  his approach to Afghanistan and his decision not to release the detainee abuse photos.