CNN

Jack: Why do you come up with these easy questions? We are just as safe as we were under the BUSH and all those that came before.

Absolutely not, after 8 years of bullying the rest of the world and alienating our country from the world community, President Obama is finally re-engaging us in a critical dialog that will make us more safe. Isolation never leads to being more safe, only to the illusion of it until you get sideswiped. It is also critical that he is looking to create a dialog with Muslim countries, this is a sign of intelligence and power, not weakeness. I am very proud of the new face our country is bringing to the world stage.

I find it laughable that the Bush / Cheney regime can contend that they made America safer when the worst terrorist attack on American soil happened on their watch. The new administration will strike the right balance of security, diplomacy, and military force. The prior adminstration did not understand a multi level approach. Multi anything was tough for that crew!

I believe that respect is something that cannot be understated when it comes to national security. It is alliances that have made us strong and it is alliances that will continue to do so. We are stretched so thin militarily because our allies lost respect for the way we were conducting our operations. Going it alone and acting as "it's our way or highway" is not going to get respect from countries who have been on the frontlines battling terrorism long before 9/11.

I believe the lack of a real response (i.e. not just standing up there and saying "bad boy") to North Korea's missile test is a clear indication that the Obama Administration has no real teeth in its bite when is comes to preventing the expansion of US rivals. Only real action such as more economic sanctions on a global scale or perhaps military action in the form of shooting these missiles down will truly send NK the meesage that the US is serious about its stance on the expansion of nuclear and ICBM technology. Make no mistake, NK will not hesitate to sell this technology to our enemies. That in itself is enough to significantly raise the risk of US safety.

Obama IS George Bush so how can we be less safe?? He is keeping and supporting all of Bush's policies (evesdropping, FISA, etc.) and wants to expand it to the internet.

Under President Obama, we are far safer from Cheny than we were under George Bush.

A stupid question! How is the average american actually supposed to know? (as opposed to feel, with all the media hype) Were we privy to security briefings under both Bush and now Obama?

I say BULL! NO way is the country safer NOW than when Bush was in office or prior too. Is Biden that much of an idiot? Look at one the Airport Security here in the United States and arond the world for that matter after 9-11. You cannot get away with anything.
If this country felt so much safer with Obama then why are GUN SALES up since the month of Novermber over 42% and I do not want to hear the reason is because of the possible ban, yes that is part, but if you read each story they all mention how crime will go up not only because of the economy, but because of terrorism and knowing people are going to have to defens themselves.
Biden is a FOOL for making a statement like that and I know Bush and Cheney were fools a lot of the time, but I did feel MUCH safer with them in office.

Of course he has made us less safe, when he closes GITMO he will be taking away one of the things every terrorist fears, a room at Gitmo.Only time will tell but reaching out to these terrorist supporting nations makes us look weak and almost everybody knows that these people want and will kill Americans when the chance presents itself. All you have to do as look at the Friday services Iran holds every week chanting "Death 2 America" Once we get hit with a terror attack again maybe everyone will jump back on the bandwagon and let us start sending these people to their 72 virgins.It is what they want I say we give it to them. I miss George Bush, at least he had the guts to stand up and put these terrorist in their place which happens to be a very Hot place from what I have read.

Jack...get realistic, no more..no less. It's a crazy world out there and no matter what we do to a degree we are vunerable, but the flag still flies and we still stand. RC

No we are not less safe. I am glad we have a president who does not go poking at stick every bully on the block. The army is for defense. Defend America not invade nations who don't bow down or believe in our arrogance.

We are safer now, because America finally understands the lesson to be learned by St. Augustine. In the City of God, St. Augustine tells the story of a pirate captured by Alexander the Great, who asked him “how dare he molest the sea”. “How dare you molest the whole world” the pirate replied. “Because I do it with a little ship only, I am called a thief; you, doing it with a great navy, are called an emperor”.

Now we are on the path to having less people in the world hate us.

I disagree that we are less safe with Obama in the White House. He hasn't shot anyone in the face yet.

Tom
Farmingdale, NY

I think we are safer because Obama kept Gates as Secretary of Defense. We are are safer because Obama is engageing the world. We are not isolating ourselves. The world wants the USA to be successfull. The end of the Bush years was aperfect storm of negativity and incompetence. Obama seems to be rallying the country. Security starts with reasonable confidence in your ability to get things done. That confidence brings alertness and watchfulness. Fear breeds mistakes and second guessing.

If the delusions of the neoconservative movement had not been punctured by the American voting public's rejection of their ideology in the recent election cycle, and the history of violence associated with the blunders of existential "us versus them" mythology had not been exposed, only then could the ramblings of Mr. Cheney or his contemporaries be considered worthwhile or credible. In his desperate attempt to grope for national relevancy, Cheney is grasping at straws, remaining as adamant as any sore loser does about his failed policy and skewed world view.

President Obama is doing a remarkable job in his first 100 days. He should be given credit for opening the doors to England, Europe, and even lessening the restrictions on Cuba that have been in place so many years. It is time for a change and he is achieving change. Because of his actions and accessibility to foreign leaders this has enhanced the United States in the eyes of the world. He is tackling each problem that he inherited with wisdom and openmindedness. As Americans we should all be proud of our new President, Barack Obama and the changes he is making.

I feel that we are extremely vulnerable to attack under the Obama administration. I am stocking up on guns, ammunication, food, water and all sorts of emergency equiptment. We are no longer the U.S. countries once feared...we are becoming weak, and it's noticable...especiialy when our President is bowing and graveling at the feet of inferior( or what used to be) Country Leaders.

Come one Jack

It does not matter who is President or what party he is from or what we do.

Our border security is a joke.

When you have people smuggling in 10 to 20 people at a time into our country what makes you think that terrorist can't make across the border in a truck with explosive...conventional or nuclear..

Better yet what if we hurt the drug cartels and they decided to help the terrorist get across the boder through one of their many smuggling tunnels at the border.

It is is not a matter of if it will happen again. It is a matter of when

From all I've seen, not much has changed between the Bush and Obama administrations in regards to national defense.....yet. Sure, the closing of a prison, the shifting of troops, and the deflation of the DOD's budget...but these are all things that we knew would happen long before Obama took office. The real question is how will the world respond as we shift from a very Nationalized focus to a Global cooperation scheme.

Time will tell. We may become more vulnerable and exploited as we lower our guard. But we may also drastically improve foreign relations with past "enemies".

Steve Anderson
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

I don't think we are ever "safe." I do believe that we have a better chance at disipating some of the rank hatred fomenting around the world. President Bush exacerbated that hatred by being such a macho blowhard. He believed that we were revered because we were tough. Hitler was tough. We were revered because we are the fairest, trustworthy toughest country in the world.

Beating you chest doesn't make you safer. It just pisses people off more than they already are.

I think Obama's approach may do a lot more to soothe the hatred and jealousy. I don't think God could get rid of it entirely.

Jack,

I think the perception of the world is that Mr Obama will not be as aggressive as Mr Bush was in relation to defense actions. Hence we have North Korea behaving badly; we have pirates now attacking US flagged ships, etc. Because of perception (perception can be reality?) – USA can be deemed less safe under Mr. Obama's administration.

Paul

More than three thousand Americans were slain by terrorists under President Bush, and another four thousand died in an unnecessary war that defined his presidency. While Bush deserves credit for having staved off further attacks on American soil, his administration also owns the failures that allowed terrorists to succeed spectacularly on 9/11.

So, are we less safe under President Obama? Only time will tell, but the fact that he has thus far embraced the advice of experts in addressing complex problems contrasts sharply with the "gut-feeling" approach preferred by the previous president, who was dismissive of warnings before the attacks of 9/11.

I highly doubt that Americans are less safe under President Obama; however, because he is a Democrat, the conservative media will have little trouble portraying him as weak.

Absolutely we are less safe as a nation. Our own "Commander in Chief" is suspect. He has locked his original birth certificate and won't show it because it proves he was born in Kenya. Obama favors muslims and is working to brankrupt our national so Islam can flourish. It's a very sad time for America.

Ken
Los Angeles, CA

I'll hold off on my desicion for the time. However I am concerned when the "President of The US" bows to a Saudi, when Sec. of State visits Mexico and says the US is the reason for the crimes in Mexico, and the Home Land Security says that our returning military, and right wing protesters could become home land terriost. I suggest the terriost are in Washington DC as elected and appointed officals.

A statement one way or the other - more safe or less safe from a terrorist attack is superficial and ludicrous. Attacks where, how, and against and by whom? What is a terrorist attack? The truck bombings against our troops in Iraq? The recent Somali pirates' attack on an American ship? The plethora of mass murders in our country? The deadly Taliban killings in Afghanistan? And why is Cheney focusing on terrorist attacks against the U.S only, when, in fact, we've witnessed an explosion of terrorism which we undoubtedly incited when we invaded Iraq?

All I know is I am now considered an "Enemy of the State" thanks to the DHS memo.

Safer no, getting the Navy Seals to knock off the Pirates was a very well executed plan and credit to the Obama administration for getting it done. However, Iran is still developing centriffuges and North Korea has now sent a missile over Japan. That is more scary...

Why haven't the nuclear capabilities of both of those countries been destroyed?

Then I will safer...

Absolutely we are less safe. BO does not believe that America is a great country, which is proven by his choice of friends/pastor in the past. Why would he want to protect something that he has spent his entire life listening to people denigrate (starting in his college years when he admits in audacity of hope "in college i sought out the marxist professors". Who does that?
I used to argue with those psycho professors, BO used to have breakfast with them.
Also, I would not be in the same room as the terrorist bill ayers. But BO thought it was a good idea to have his political coming out party in ayers' living room.
He also thought it was good idea to endorse/dignify rev racist's anti-American rhetoric for 20 years (which he did so by his very presence).
Now we have elected this socialist swindler to protect. Give me clinton, bush, palin ,mccain, or mickey mouse.......anybody but BO!

Jack,
Cheney cannot say otherwise, he is a delusional,wicked man..He has been denounced throughout the world.. But the overriding fact is that Cheney committed a crime and should be prosecuted for it .. It is a pity that the president will not go there in light of his personal scholarship regarding the Constituion.

Success story of the Bush administration? Jumbo shrimp. There could not be a greater oxymoron. The only success in the past 8 years is finally electing someone like Obama, who may be able to restore our position in the world.

US is currently not yet feel unsafe but as the current pace of N. Korea, Pirate, and Iran recent activities, Without reaction from US or the world body, we will be unsafe soon.

In President Obamas Inauguration speech he said that we could be safe and still follow the principles in which this country was founded. I agree 100%. However many of the things he has done such as cutting to much in defense and intelligence in the budget and in weapons development is in my opinion completely irresponsible and has nothing to do with keeping our principles.

I believe that terrorist will strike the U.S. while Obama is president due to the fact that he is not actively going after them. Bush hit them where they live Obama seems to be waiting for the opposite before he acts or should I say reacts
.

This "safe or less safe" topic has been debated so much recently, but no one seems to think that before making any point one should use facts and evidence in order to define what makes this country safe.
– Number of attacks against U.S. (here/abroad)? – Number of voiced threats against US? – estimated number of anti-American radicals? Number of people who express a resentful opinion towards the U.S. when polled? What ever, make this question a fact based one. Please!

I feel that Obama has put this country at a compromise trying to take on so much at once. He wants to go to the table with Iran. Has already removed sanctions against Cuba. Had Hillary praising China. Then you have him wanting more troops in Afghanistan. Then you have his budget proposal that is so huge that if we ever recover from it he will have died of old age. He wants these huge reforms in healthcare but there are plenty of places already going to electronic medical records.
He is pushing us for us to become a socialist nation. But what has he done to stem the possible influx of immigrants. Obviously his own family has lived illegally on the US welfare system for years. Yes our country is less safe with Obama in office. He won't make the hard decisions about taking the fight to the terrorists. he doesn't believe in the 2nd amendment of the right to bear arms, he wants our guns. But then how will we defend ourselves from the criminals? When was the last time he had to worry about affording to make the mortgage payment. People are on hard times right now and guess what we stick to our religion and guns. Its what built this country and it is the only way it will stand if we intend to make it. Joe Biden and Obama have there head in the sand when it comes to national security. I would not be suprised if we have a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil in the next 12 months.

No, most CNN fans disagree with Cheney. Your left leaning polls are not even funny. Republicans know we're less safe under Obama who DID pal around with terrorists...

I'm apalled that the percentage of americans who thought cheney was wrong wasn't higher. He has been in office what...3 months? How is that even long enough to degrade our national security, let alone give us a weakness. The republican party are just idiots nowadays.

I don’t think we are ever “safe.” I do believe that we have a better chance at disipating some of the rank hatred fomenting around the world. President Bush exacerbated that hatred by being such a macho blowhard. He believed that we were revered because we were tough. Hitler was tough. We were revered because we are the fairest, most trustworthy, toughest country in the world.

Beating your chest doesn’t make you safer. It just pisses people off more than they already are.

I think Obama’s approach may do a lot more to soothe the hatred, misunderstandings and jealousy. I don’t think God could get rid of it entirely.

My first thought is, what difference does it make what I think? What really matters is how safe we are, not even what Biden or Cheney think.

Cheney sure likes to pat himself on the back, though: no terrorist attacks AFTER the really bad one on Bush and Cheney's watch.

So, with that logic, if there is ONE attack on Obama's watch, it really doesn't count, right?

That is why some of us see Dick Cheney as just a royal pain, and not a help to the United States.

People seem to forget we were attacked on American soil under President Bush. That hasn't happened on Obama's watch. Additionally, he appears to be doing the right thing by talking to both our friends and our enemies.

I think we are better off,after watching our current President visit overseas and has only been in office 12 weeks, the would has accepted him unlike the last President and his travels in 8 years.

From 12 September, 2001 until now, there have been zero attacks carried out by terrorist on American soil. Zero! Did President Bush's anti-terrorism policies work? Do the math. Need I say it again? ZERO! Are we safer? Only time will tell.

It's too soon to be certain but it's highly unlikely that we could ever be less safe than we were under Bush.

Cheney's history ... why give him any more media-time? He didn't respect the media when he was in power. As for Obama, only time will tell whether his policies will make America more safer, but I for one, sure as hell hope that he is making America safer. The people who want the president to fail are traitors. Let the president do his job without distractions ... we can't afford to let this number 1 nation go down even an inch further. US rocks!

How much Homeland Security do you think we could have bought if we didnt have to pay for a war that shouldnt have been fought in the first place? Can anyone tell me what is the purpose of giving Iraq billions of our dollars. Things to make you go ummmmm.

Luckily Obama is staying with the main provisions of the Patriot Act and is keeping the use of wiretapping. The ACLU would make us less safe. Obama only makes us less safe if he lets the Gitmo prisoners free.

Is the US "less safe" under Obama? Considering that the policies of the Bush administration were antagonizing even moderate Muslims and recruiting new terrorists among radical ones, I think this is questionable. We are still under the same threat from dedicated terrorists, of course. They have very long memories, and we cannot expect the anti-American backlash in even moderate Muslim countries to subside immediately. But by patiently untangling the poorly-thought-out, unfocused military mess left to us by the previous administration, Obama can in fact make the country more safe.

I'm a big Obama supporter but who really knows the answer to this question? It is so hard to monitor what 6.5 billion people are thinking and doing who's to say that we were ever "safe".

I think the root of the problem is finding out why people want to hurt us and sit down with them and talk out our problems. Without a mind set like this we'll destroy people in war and they'll attempt to destroy us through guerrilla warfare and terrorism.

Dick Cheney, as usual is wrong again. He is still living in that doldrum of fear that has been the trademark of the Republican Party. How can you attack a country that treats you with respect? Cheney directed and cajoled President Bush for his own selfish and blind ambition into the Iraq war. All he need to do now is just sit down, shut up and go play with his grand kids if he knows how to.

America is loved again and the feeling around the globe is admiration.

Is he still in wheelchair?

The less that people hate us across the globe, the safer we are. Obama has ensured that our world standing has and will improve. He also doesn't seem like the kind of guy (bush), that would invade a country (Iraq) and risk American lives for oil or personal vengence. We are 100% safer with Obama at the wheel

We are safer under Obama and we would be safer yet if George Bush had NEVER been president.

Bush created the terror in Americans. After 911, Bush's pronounced threat of terrorists kept most Americans silenced from speaking against what became more and more like an oligarchy instead of demogracy. The Bush/Cheney plague called terrorism kept many Americans silenced for fear of retribution from their own government. And it kept the power with a few, conniving hands. Obama is just dealing with the aftermath, trying to make people believe again that in a true democracy the power to threaten and to safeguard lives with the people.

It doesn't matter because the genie is already out of the bottle. Now any nation or group that feels American intensions, or for that matter our ideals pose a threat to their way of life, can correctly reference the Bush Doctrine as their reason for attacking our country.

Jack...
That's a hellva question! Are you running out of questions? Who can really answer this question. My answer is...it's safer. The "World" loves President Obama.

Mr. Cheney is delusional; he always has been. He should stick with his policy of staying hidden as he did during the eight years during which the Bush administration brought our country to the brink of economic, military, and moral ruin.

I don't think mismanaging two wars and failing to accomplish the stated goal, leaving afganistan and pakistan in the state they are makes us more safe. Cheney impresses me as a paranoid meglomaniac with sociopathic tendencies. His word is completely devoid of credibility to me. I mean we're never going to be 100% safe from anything. That's a pipe dream, but does making even MORE people resent us make us MORE safe? No, not really.

Of course why does he care anyway? According to Rush he'd like to see us get hit. I mean that would be failure wouldn't it? So it would seem to me that Dick is sort of just begging something to happen so he can say I told you so.

The release of known terrorists from Guantanimo, the milquetoast response to the Korean and Iranian nuclear theatrics, the apologetic demeanor for United States history and conduct to Europe, the cow-towing to the Islamic countries....all point to an America less secure and capable of defending our security under the current regime. Obvious to anyone with a modicum of rational thought and critical thinking.

Brad
Yorktown, VA

Lafayette, LA

I trust Pres. Obama with the security of my country. I feel more secure with Pres. Obama in the WH then I ever did with Bush & Cheney.

I did not vote for Pres. Obama, but my taxes are lower, the economy is slowly improving and all the Republicans are running scared.

The republicans built the last Presidential election on fearmongering and lost and now they are doing the same thing in Washington DC and the public has had its fill of such bluster and naysaying.

Opinion polls don't truly reflect what the situation is - as the public's opinion relies on the media to provide most of the necessary information - and most of the media tends to favor the President at this time. So I think we really don't know whether it's better or weaker since Jan. 20th - but with the fact that some of the Gitmo prisoners have been released, some will be treated as "ordinary" criminals in the U.S. justice system, the push to have interrogations use the Army manual which was not intended for more specific interrogation at the front lines, etc - I'd say we may be more humanitarian in our approach but that may lead to missed opportunities to thwart terrorist activities. So I'd lean more toward we may be more at risk - this enemy tends to always look for a more dramatic strike than the last one...

From Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

H.L. Menken said: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clambering to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblims, all of them imaginary." While 9/11 certainly wasn't imaginary, Bush used it to his advantage to continue to manufacture fear to ensure his second term, and invade a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the attack. The result – he alienated much of the world .

President Obama isn't rolling back security; he is optimizing resources to keep America safe while also safeguarding that which makes it a beacon of hope in a world of fear – its rights and freedoms. Also he is reaching out to the nations of the world and reclaiming America's reputation as a good and fair world nation member. Thank God you have this remarkable man for president.

People need to remember that 9/11 happened during Bush / Cheney due to their incompetence not policies of the democrats.

Despite all the changes being made, we are in more danger than ever before. Not for the reasons that most people think, like war, terrorism, crime or natural disasters. This fact will become quite evident in the very near future.

I think the US is much more safer than before 9/11, and I can't help but give some credit to Bush for making that happen. However, being more safe in some respects doesn't mean I think overall we're safer because of his policies. I think a lot of the Bush policies are too self serving. They disregard the world stage...typical in your face American attitude. Although that might work in the wild west, these days the world is highly interconnected. Its essential that we work with our partners to change the big picture, and not just focus on us. That will enhance our overall safety for the future. Everyone has a stake in whats going on, not just us. Yes we'll have to make compromises with other countries and we're not always going to get what we want, but we alienate people who would otherwise be our friends if we don't listen to them and work together. We'll end up going at it alone like we have in Iraq and elsewhere. We supply the troops. Our troops have the most casualties. Its our money that pays for wars, aid, etc. We cannot and should not go at it practically alone. No one is going to help us with anything if we do. Military, economically, you name it. We'll be alone. That makes us a sore target, it makes us UNSAFE and highly vulnerable. Safety is not just about a battle or a war, and it doesn't always involve guns. Don't mistake being a leader in the world for isolating yourself from it.

Jack,

The answer is no, yes and will be.

Right now some extremist group are riding high. But this will not last. And the turn around is already happening and it could be pretty fast . Now that the US, under the new administration is reaching out, and not just dismissing other countries and cultures. The stand of the US will grow and more importantly the sway of the extremist will wane.

I believe there are a lot less people who hate us now. That should reduce the number of threats.

If we are attacked, it is not the fault of the sitting President. Just like it was not Bush's fault that we were attacked on 9/11. The reaction to an attack might be the better measure of preparedness.

The fanatics that want us dead don't care who is in office or what measures are being taken to prevent them acting.

Are you kidding?!? How could we possibly be less safe when we have a president who actually has a brain and knows how to use it? He's bright, astute, forthright, analytical, willing to listen and be respectful to those with differing views and cultural heritages. He also just made a smart and gutsy call on the pirate/hostage situation. What a breath of fresh air!

I don't think President Obama really has a foreign policy plan that has any depth or that he truly understands the degree of hate for America that many foreign countries and their leadership (Iran, Venezuela, N. Korea) have and have had since well before George W. Bush ever became president. He's trying to make us think he's on top of it but I doubt his experience or wisdom in this area.

I believe he promises everything to everyone and apparantly so very many American's buy his high level rhetoric. But he's playing a game that will have dangerous consequences. I am but one voice but I believe he's playing with fire and doesn't want us to believe that he is clueless. What he lacks in knowledge and judgement, he's trying to make up for by doing a lot of everything, regardless if it's right or wrong.

How can the U.S. be safe if other nations around the world do not respect us and are not willing to work with us. During the Bush administration, long time allies and supporters have become anti-American. Obama is doing a great job in re-strengthening ties and bonds with old allies. In today's environment, the U.S. can not afford to make unilateral decisions such as the war in Iraq. We share this world with other people, U.S. policy does not equal world policy.

I can't tell with all the useless twitter Jack. However, we are heading in the direction of Democracy and away from what was a direction toward fascism. Therefore, poor and democratic vs. whatever the other alternative would have been is the reality. I can take that for now if the move toward democracy continues and we start to produce again. I am somewhat Conservative, but definitely not a Republican; it's just too Un-American at it's best these twittering days. Keep it up Jack, we need you!

Safety is an abstraction – an emotion, a belief, an opinion. Increased fear drives increased violence. The politics of fear create anger and instability; the politcs of diplomacy create peace.

At the moment, the answer would be that they are equally safe since no attacks have occurred since 9/11. A better question would be whether we feel safer under either administration. Hard to say, really. Obama has been in office about 3 months whereas Bush had 8 years. Obama hasn't really had time to do anything that would be construed as lessening the safety. Republicans would say less safe due to their paranoia about non-US entities. Democrats would say more safe due to their ideal that no one really hates us, they are just misunderstood, and we just need to talk with them. At the moment I think Obama is trying to change the US against the World Cheney mentality into the World against religious extremists. Time will tell if this is a good thing or not.

All we can do is wait for the next 9-11. Otherwise who can say? Encouraging the entry of many more millions of illegal aliens across our borders is not very comforting to me. I don't think the DHS has a clue.

Did anyone forget how Bush sat there for 7 minutes when told "the country is under attack"? If you're a firefighter and you got the call saying "hey the whole city's on fire" you'd get off your butt and DO something!

Absolutely, but that's the point. Free societies are the most vulnerable to these sorts of threats. Dictatorships are the only ones that are mostly immune.

The country is more safe under President Obama of that there is no doubt. The Bush/Chaney regime made enemies all around the world after we had such great opportunity for global cooperation follwing 9/11. They beliitled out friends who disagreed with us on making a war of convenience, mocked those nations who were not our friends and made sure they would not be, and hardened our enemies insuring they would get stronger and seek to attack us more.

President Obama has a tall order undoing this damage (as well as the other challenges left from the previous bungler-in-chief). I support him and wish him success. I wish republicans would put aside their petty politics and begin rooting for America instead of hoping we all fail.

Our safety in relattion to the terrorists is about the same. We are, however, safer from excesses by our own government. The imprisonment of an American citizen, ararested on US soil, and held in solitary confinement without access to legal representation until the courts ruled otherwise, is chilling. The corruption of the Republican party is revealed by their total lack of interest in the clear violation ob the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

In my opinion the answer would be yes, our country is less safe under President Obama for multiple reasons. The President is so heavily relying on foreign funding to repair our ailing economy that he has opened doors that previously remained closed. These situations are rarely, in my experience, repaid simply with what we took plus the interest. What other " favors" will foreign powers require of us that we will yield to because they lent us money? Which ones will compromise our security directly or indirectly? Second, President Obama is being viewed by the world as subservient leader and not a gentle voice with an iron fist. By bowing and submitting so easily it could be seen as weekness therefore what better time for an enemy to strike? And lastly, President Obama is so quick to speak to the world about America's flaws, will he really defend us? Or will he in the event of an attack call a press conference to tell the world we deserved it and please don't be so mean to us again?

Jack: Of course not. I would rather say it will be safer. "An eye for an eye, soon the world will be blind." If we don't communicate with the others, conflicts will never have a chance to get resolved.

Some of the actions taken, closing Guantanamo Bay and banning specific methods of interrogation for suspected terrorists, are like planting seeds of destruction that may grow to harm US citizens. Terrorists released to stand trial that are freed may in 1-2 years plot against the US, with years of CNN , NBC, CBS shows to watch to find out our vulnerable spots.
Oh yes, and those "nasty interrogation methods" that force the suspected terrorist to give up a key name that leads to the capture of a cell leader with a plot that would, lets say, release a toxic gas in several schools in Washington, are not permitted.
Net result; we ask the terrorist politely "are you going to hurt us". He says " I swear to the prophet Mohammed I will not" and we let him go. He walks out the door of the detention centre and re-affirms his committment to "jihad" with the US that permits lying to achive the end...

Combined with his growing foreign popularity and the fact that he simply will not put up with knuckleheads like the Somali pirates, NO! We are NOT less safe with President Obama. He is talking where he can and saying "Don't mess with us" where he can't... We are becoming more and more safe! Period....

Marshall from Skokie, IL...

Dick Cheney was more of threat to our security than any terrorist. He essentially wiped his shoes upon the constitution and his republican allies in congress allowed him to do so. So for him say President Obama and his policies are making us less safe is hypocracy at its worst. He is a person who only seems to be interested in freedom when it comes to making money. Any abuse, or corruption that he or his cronies engage in is just fine in his view. The lesson to all of us is our biggest threat comes via the gradual weakening of our democracy through fear and internal corruption both political and commercial. Not from external forces.

We keep hearing that the Bush administration kept us safe following 911. How do we know that's true? Maybe there were no attempts on us in that period, or if there were they were never disclosed to us.They didn't keep us very safe before 911. I think President Obama has shown in a very short time that he is on top of most everything. Public and private people were hitting on him this last weekend saying he wasn't doing anything about the pirate situation and Captain Phillips. SURPRISE! He was on it all the time. OFCOURSE HE WAS.!There isn't a politician in Washington that could do any more than he has in less than three months.We are all sick of the "NO" Republicans.

From Denton Texas,

Well it's like eating a cookie form the cookie jar, you don't what's in the cookie till you take a bite and then it's too late to put it back in the jar.

We also won't know if there is a "risk" till a bunch of us (US Citizens) die horribly in a terror attack, and then it's too late for us to be the way we where too.

We may be a little safer with Obama than Bush, but I think there is a bigger question: Are our rights more ensured under Obama than Bush and the answer to that is Yes. If we are to remain "the land of the free and the home of the brave," we need to vote in politicians that have the courage to honor the laws that keep us free, even if that may make our lives less secure in the short run.

We are always at risk in this day and age with the type of enemy that now exists. But the President we have now makes me feel much safer in that he is smarter and more pragmatic, meaning that our allies will be closer and our enemies more circumspect.

Only time will tell! I fear, however, that Obama's overtures to many of our foes / enemies (no matter how well intended) will be viewed as a sign of weakness! Unfortunately, there are many cultures that only repect strength as they perceive it! Bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia did not help!

Mr. Wells holds the Bush presidency responsible for 9-11??? Preposterous, and typical of left-wing dementia. You cannot be taken seriously after the first sentence, sir.

Brad
Yorktown, VA

President Obama is making his decisions on national security thru the lens of rallying support and popularity from other nations. These other nations will continue to do what is in their own best interest . Signing on to other nation's policy to gain popularity fails to meet the criteria of doing "what is the best decision for the United States, a sovereign nation." Pres. Obama should use his popularity worldwide to convince other nations to sign on to U.S. policy, not vice versa."

Unfortunately yes,
We are asking common people who dont know becuase they dont understand the facts or past history. 99% of the people commenting on this have probably never spent time operating in other countries. NO room on this blog for all the facts but I'll give one. A chief with the CIA said that 50% of the intel gathered on Al Queda was gained through previous programs that Obama has now eliminated. Waterboarding for example is pushed as torture yet I know from personal experience that is done to our own Delta Force, Green Berets, CIA agents, SEALS as training. No permanent damage but it is uncomfortable. Yet we cant do it to our enemies. We have returned to Clinton Era policy. Under Bush we got hit 1 time and under Clinton well to many times. Facts please no hype....

Yes we are more at risk for an attack from outside and inside concerns, We can not stand another 911 and survive as a country. If we don't continue to take a hard line and and be forceful in our resolve to protect America then we are letting all the Vets down for what they have done to keep us and to free parts of the world,
including the now better that us attitude of European countries. If Obama isn't careful this country may very well have another civil war under his term. I hope people understand the real risk we are in now with this reported good change in leadership. I think we are in real trouble in Washington with the leadership in all the major areas.

To the extent that a president can make a us safer or put us in more risk, I think Obama's made us safer. Bush and his folks were far too quick to invest the finite resources of the American military without sound judgment. Like they say when handling firearms, don't point a gun at somebody you're not willing to shoot. Well, the previous administration just waved that thing around, and made fools of us in the process.

To the Muslim world, Dick Cheney is proof positive of all the negative perceptions the Middle Eastern countries have of the Western world and the United States of America. Thank goodness many in the Middle East recognize that Dick Cheney is one the neocon fringees and not representative of the vast majority of the West and the United States of America. The United States is far safer under President Obama than it could have ever hoped to be under Darth Vader.

I think his policies are more practical and long term in nature and would help in eradicating the anti-American feeling in the middle eastern countries and thereby reduce threat.

In the weeks and months following 9/11/01 we as a nation were willing to undertake extraordinary measures to ensure that another 9/11 did not happen to us again. Our elected officials who made those hard choices for us in order to keep all of us safe should be thanked instead of being made into villains. Now that the threats are more defined, we as a nation should debate the extent to which we are willing to go to protect our country and move forward as opposed to continually looking backward on those difficult days following 9/11.

The Obama Admin is setting the foundation for a safer future by not to alienating the rest of the world, whereas the previous administration focused on fighting the symptoms rather than the cause of anti-American entities.

We are much safer now with Obama in office. You don't see him pissing everyone else off the way Bush did. Because of that, the US is now looked upon as less provocative which, in turn, makes the aggressor less encouraged to attack.

You live in a fantasy world if you believe being "nice" to terrorist's will work. You really have no one person to negotiate with. the old saying that you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people all the time. If you think that you can, then take yourself to Afghanistan and enjoy talking to the local people. I say the local people not the "leaders" like our "leaders" do. You will find out that your collective peace accord idea will not work. There is a reason why they have been fighting for thousands of years. Also nice disclaimer there CNN. Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments will be posted.

Ken,
"Our own “Commander in Chief” is suspect. He has locked his original birth certificate and won’t show it because it proves he was born in Kenya. "

Dimwit. Every SINGLE STATE approved him for the ballot. A majority voted for him. There is nothing "suspect" about it.

And what does that have to do with the QUESTION?

What does he have to do to make you happy with his birth certificate? There is NOTHING that will make you satisfied.

America is probably a little less safe under the Obama administration because Bush and Cheney created millions of new enemies and inspired thousands or new terrorists during their eight year spending and bombing spree. It's just another mess the Obama administration inherited from Dick and George; one for which Americans will be paying for decades.

I feel less safe. I had hopes for Obama but he has a lot to learn and I don't think other countries respect him.

SLC Utah –

How can it be rationalized that we are safer now than we were under President Bush's administration? Our standing as a force to be reckoned with in the world is based on military might and willingness to use it when necessary. Our current president is cuttting defense spending, waivering on eatern European missle defense, and has campaigned on his promise to be "gentle" with foreign policy.

That has already gotten us a restarted North Korean nuke program and long range missle tests along with the same old stonewalling from China and Russia. It also hasn't gotten us any help with Afghanistan. I am scared to find out what else it will bring.

The world is safer from the Americans under Obama than under Bush.

If we're less safe now, it has nothing to do with Obama. The Bush administration irked (to say the least) a lot of people internationally. Cheney should go back to his cave. Its funny, when he was VP he was silent and secretive about everything- now he's running his mouth more than Bush.

There was only nineteen men that pulled off this attack. They were Saudi by a large majority The US responce has been less than stellar.How many rock piles will we blow up befor we understand that our enemy is not someone who lives in a rock house. It is in Mecca

The country has been and is safe – excluding the native born nut cases,
foreign paranoids and the idiots with MBA's – Wether we are safer from the egomaniacal money managers remains to be seen.

Love your show Jack – please run for congress!!!!!!!!

Let's see, a quickdraw military strategy + Iraq and its poorly-planned post conflict reconstruction + abu gharaib + gitmo + torture + refusing to speak with Iran + ignoring Putin + financing that venezuelan wacko (by buying his oil) + insulting the Europeans = safety. Or a measured military response (somali pirates)+the willingness to speak with countries we don't like but, who could serious problems – abu gharaid – torture + letting the europeans know that we do have something in common with them + dealing with Medvedev rather than Putin + elimination of expensive military hardware that we don't need + a way out of Iraq + the intent to make us less reliant for energy on people who are not our friends = not safe. Sorry, I've done the math - we're safer with Obama.

Peace through strength. Not Peace through pointless photo-ops with European leaders.

Are we less safe? At the moment, no of course not. But Obama better realize sooner or later that diplomacy is a tool, not an end itself.

If he continues to let our hapless NATO allies get away with abandonment of their responsibilities in Afghanistan for sake of good relations, yes, you'll be able to say a few years from now Barack Obama made us less safe.

He has shown quite clearly that he can speak gently to our allies and enemies alike. It is time for him to show the world what he looks like when he acts with firmness and determination to get what he wants for his country.

Jack:

I agree with Cheney, but hope he is wrong. I think Obama is unaware of the magnitude of some of the dangers in the world. Young Americans have made him believe he can convince anyone with his words. God help us!

Proof was in the pudding. With our former president. After 9/11 I believe there was one US civilian death due to Terrorism, (Daniel Pearl), I forget now if any Americans died in Bali and the exact timing of the hotel attacks in India. Certainly there were no more attacks at home and if he takes the heat for everything else he did, he should get the credit for that.
Now if our Current president brings the troops home, and rolls back the policies of his predecessor and we get attacked, then there you go. Hard to judge this question until the results are known.

If you think we are safe or unsafe just because Biden, Chaney or Obama says so, then you are a fool.

To Ken in Los Angeles,

This tired and stupid thought about Barak Obama's "original" birth certificate is beyond too old now. There is nothing suspect about President Obama's eligibility to be president, and the only sad time for America were the years we suffered under Bush/Cheney after they dropped the ball on focusing the true war on Bin Laden and the terrorists in Afganistan. And that has been the last 6 years since March 2003.

Jack:
Of course we are less safe now. Just don't blame it on Obama. Bin Ladin said he would destroy our financial system, and named the banks that were going down. Silly us, we thought he meant with bombs or planes and created a monstrously expensive security system, not even on the pay-go plan. Obama has kept rendition; Gitmo will close, maybe, one of these days; phone tapping has been anointed by the Supremes, so honestly, what has really changed?

We are less safe because there are now four military theaters instead of one, nobody in the G-20 will pony up with us, NATO will not support us in Afghanistan, our borders are porous, our food supply is perilous and we have no secure energy strategy. British oddsmakers have a dirty nuke blowing up a U.S. city in the next 10 years at 10-1. Want to take that bet, Jack?

Is the U.S. less safe under President Obama than it was under President Bush?
An emphatic NO! Why? Love and trust engender love and trust. Hate and distrust engender hate and distrust. Every great religion has as a basic tenet a form of the “Golden Rule.” If all people of faith followed that basic truth instead of the rantings of radicals leaders the world would be a safer place for all.
Lowell Young
Mariposa, CA

No! The US is much safer now that Obama is in charge.

We have only been attacked on our soil under one presdient (Bush...rememebr him?) Facts are stubborn things arent they.

Obama is a breath of fresh air AND common sense.

Blunders were the norm under Bush. Lets let the facts speak for them selves.....

Chuck
Tampa

Definitely less safe. Apologize when it's not necessary, blame the previous administration, give your first interview on a muslim station, state the US is not a Christian country, circumvent the Congressional process with your budget, give away billions to those not paying any taxes at all, increase the debt by trillions, take credit for three sniper shots that any commander on scene should be able to decide, take over the country's largest manufacturer, become, in essence, it's CEO – all within 100 days. No question – we're in trouble, and headed in the wrong direction

What we need to recognize is that the number of terrorists at any given time reflects both the number terrorists who stop being terrorists (either by being killed, growing old, or other reasons) AND the number of young men who become terrorists. I suppose that every time we kill a terrorist, his son's become terrorists. The solution is not killing them all since we cannot do it. Sure it sounds naive but we need to come up with a strategy to diminish the number of new terrorists. Or else we will not win. We need to achieve a peace somehow. I think Obama understands this.

Jack,
I think we are at least as safe now, but the ones to ask if we are safer are the terrorists. What do they think? Do THEY feel more or less inclined to attack?

We will find out if or when we are attacked.

How the heck am I to know that?

The one thing I absolutely know is that I have no idea what the world looks like from a presidents perspective. After all, they make decisions to take a life or sacrifice a life the way I play chess. They know things we are not privy to.
Bush may very well have saved countless lives- that we will never know for sure. Obama may save countless lives- that we will never know for sure.
I'm sick of the Bush/Obama crap- it is a different world with different requirements. I don;t like or dislike a president based on another president- it is based on how he governs this nation. Period.

Joe Biden is dead right in what he said

Less safe under President Obama?? I'll probably feel that way once planes start flying into buildings. Until that happens, I'll sleep very good at night knowing Mr. Obama is Commander in Chief.

America's Top Chicken Hawk, Dick Cheney, talking about the country becoming less safe! That's laughable. If Cheney is so concerned about safety, I recommend he dig a hole in his back yard like the one he hid in during 9/11, or else get a dog for the front porch.

Well Jack, if we are, we have the good ole boy and his cronies to thank for that. President Obama is doing his best to fix the mess the Bush legacy brought us...give the guy a chance but in this new world, always be prepared for whatever will happen.

I don't think so...... I think a BIG one is coming... Nothing me or you or the New Obama(everybody has a good heart) plan are going to help us... But, we are the most stubborn country out there, hit us once, we will take out your country.. That simple...

Jack,

The statistical odds are much much higher that I will become very sick, die and/or suffer incredible financial loss because of a lack of access to health care than I will from any international terrorist activity. So, given those odds and the hope for an Obama administration solution to our broken health care system I believe I personally am much much safer under the Obama administration than I ever was during the Bush years.

How could we possibly be any less safe under President Obama? The rest of the world is beginning to like us again and he's doing his best to make the United States part of the rest of the world. Dick Cheney along with Newt Gingrich and Michael Steele are spouting off because they cannot believe the lost the election. As the poll numbers showed, Americans are not as stupid as those three seem to believe. We trust the president and I believe he will do us proud.

Of course the United States is safer under President Obama. President Obama isn't spending time figuring out how to undermine the American People, nor time undermining other countries.

He's actually spending time constructively.

Maybe Cheney should do something constructive. How about basket weaving?

Yes it is... as an after effect of the Bush policies and strategy...

Oh my god let the bashing begin jack!!! Well we never had another attack after 9/11 so do the math!! Obama has been president less than 100 days so i guess bush wins that one!!

Safer under President Obama. We have more support from other countries.

SAFER UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA!

Absolutely more safe under obama. You don't make the country more safe by pissing all of our enemies off the way bush and cheney did by pretending we could take anyone and just invading anyone they wanted boldly. There's a case for just about any war, but iraq? that only made things worse and validated the invalid views of the terrorist and made us hated more around the world thus emboldening those who hate us towards action.

Less safe? Now we have a pres. that actually THINKS before he says or does anything. Everything is a cafefully measured response, not "Dead or Alive" he doesnt' shoot from the hip, he takes aim, checks for wind, adjusts the scope, waits for the prime oppurtunity, then *BOOM* headshot. Bush is a cowboy, Obama is a Navy SEAL.

Dear Jack, In a word: NO! Bush/Cheney need to be held responsible and prosecuted for what they did during that Regime to make Americans less safe, more afraid and hated by a good portion of the world. Their actions and words put us in harms way each and every day they were in control. BRAVO to Pres. Obama and his administration. I breath easier as each day goes by...

Terrorist attacks against America, Americans and our allies continued for years after 9/11. Remember Bali, Madrid, London, and Paris Burning? Plus there were many "lone wolf" attacks on US soil. Remember Anthrax, the LAX El Al shooting, Muhammed's random shootings in Washington/Virginia, and the Explosion in the Texas Refinery just days after the national warning? Most of the prevented attacks came from tips. No prevented attacks came from torture interogations. Cheney/Bush/Rice allowed the worst "terror" attack ever, and failed to capture Osama. Cheney has no credibility.

I think it is safer than when the My way or the Highway administration was in office. We were vilified all over the world. We now has someone who will at least listen to what others have to say then do it his way. People respond better when you listen to them they feel they had a say in the process.

This is a necessary question but it is too early to determine an answer.
What we know is that we have not been attacked since 9-11 (Thank You President Bush) and I hope things stay that way.
If Obama learns what kept us safe these years and practices it, we have a chance. If he thinks this has to "change", we are in trouble.

I feel safer already just knowing Dick Cheney isn't a heartbeat away from the presidency.

I like how the Bush administration and its supporters claim that the US is "safe" just because there hasn't been another attack. I really do believe they are willfully ignorant, knowing that our unjust meddling in the middle east since the 1950's is the reason they hate/attacked us.

I seriously doubt I would find any of the supporters of Bush's policies arguing that Bill Clinton kept us safe after the first world trade center bombing. It does meet the same criteria they are using to define "safe".

Just getting rid of Cheney makes the whole world safer. That was an easy no brain er. He was evil to say the least.

I like when bill page said that the terrorist attack happened during the bush/cheney administration, when in fact, clinton administration knew about it, were briefed about it, but they did nothing about it. They simply allowed the USS Cole incident go unpunished and that is what you can expect under the obama administration. About Obama bringing us closer to the world? I laugh, because he is not the only one who tried, and as we remain to be the world power we will always be hated. History tells it all but it seems that even our politicians ignore it.

Jack,

Bush and Cheney were more of a threat to the USA than any terrorist organization were, or ever will be. Period.

The more Cheney disagrees with and criticizes Mr. Obama, the more hope I have for our world.
Stephanie Smith-Wilkey
Jacksonville, IL

Jack, last time I checked, neither President Bush nor President Obama were standing on the deck of a Navy Destroyer or on the sands of Iraq with intentions to man the guns themselves. Saying that the country is "less" or "more" safe under one President or another, a favorite tactic of the GOP, is one of the most insulting things you can say about our men and women in arms. It implies that their bravery or valor is beholden to their leader, and that is sheer lunacy.

Bush is a dangerous ideologue–and so is Cheney. We are fortunate to be shut of them both. We got off lightly with only the Iraq war–if you don't count the "Clinton" recession–from these two. We are far safer under Obama, and this will become more clear with time. Even Newt Gingrich will eventually agree, although Rush Limbaugh never will.

We are not yet less safe from terror attack, but Obama sure has hell is driving fast toward the cliff. When he drive off, he will take all of with him.
Our Empire will crumble.

C.R. Coleman.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Born July 13th, 1935.

I think that we're more safe now under Obama, because the perception of the world is changing toward America. And he is engaging more people on the international platform than Bush did.

I would not repeat a damn thing Dick Cheany says.......

Definitely we are safer now that with the Bush/Chency fiasco! President Obama is going a great job and people need to support him and appreciate him and our current leadership!

Do you people not remember N Korea actually launching multiple test rockets in direct response to Bush and Cheney sabre rattling and issuing empty threats. Fragile egos believe that talking tough is the same as being tough.

Do these posters realize that the 9/11 terrorists were already in the country and fully funded when George W Bush became President? Why didn't Bill Clinton take decisive action after the bombings of 2 US Embassies and the USS Cole? Its inaction that led to 9/11.

Let's see – Am I safer from a hornet if I put a bit of sugar on a plate or if I try to swat him.? Obama seems a safer bet to me .

9/11
Hurricane Katrina Response
Antrhax Attacks

All three happened under GW's watch.

Is America less safe?
If our enemies take pity on us-–no.
Pasadena. CA.

Are we less safe than anytime during the last 8 years under the Bush/Cheney administration? Absolutely not. Obama is a reasonable man, something you cannot say for either Bush or Cheney. In fact, both of them, but especially Cheney, should spend the rest of their lives in prison for war crimes. If we can't put them there, perhaps another country (like Spain?) can.

If Pres. Obama handle the country security the way he handle the pirates in Somalia, well, yes, I feel very safe right now.

We are equally safe but from terrorist attack and equally unsafe from the economic policies that threaten to impoverish all of us. The only difference between Obama and Bush is the rhetoric while the polices are virtually identicle.

I think we'll be safer under Obama since he's actually making an effort to visit these countries and foreign leaders. He wants change, and it may actually be working.

If Bush and Cheney are so great why did we have the worse terrorist attack on American soil on their watch? Why did we go to war with Iraq when they clearly were not a threat? Why did we sacrifice 4200 American lives for nothing in Iraq? Bush is truly an idiot and Cheney is not stable.

Less safe? Uh, no, Jack, we are MORE safe. Just having someone intelligent at the head of this country guarantees we are more safe. I doubt Obama would need nine minutes to react to an attack.

Hello Jack, this is a David A Whitaker from Martinsburg,WV. I am a disable veteran, I believe that our country is much safer than under the previous administration. The more respect a country give to another country, most of the time they are willing to listen to what you have to say. For VP Dick Cheney I feel sorry for him, he living in his own world alone.

Jack

the truth is that both of these parties have been in charge from our last great loss of money (1929) the great crash and our we any better off. I feel what Mr. Obama done this weekend shows he has taken a stand on the right side. I did not vote for him but, I will give him a chance until he shows me something different.

Making amends to all the third world dictators and alienating our allies by arrogance and disrespect makes us more vulnerable. What makes us safe is our strength. Soon the "do'ers of man made disasters" will exploit our kindness as a weakness.

Yes, the U.S. is in trouble. Obama thinks we can all hold hand and sing "We Are The World"! It is a joke, and I am sure the terrorist thing it is a joke.

From Salinas, CA

I feel the U.S. is more safe with President Obama. I believe he listens to people and from what I read and hear, there seems to be more open dialogue between people and countries. I believe this makes our enemies feel less hostile towards us. I know I personally feel much safer now than I ever have since 9/11

I'm not sure if curling into a nut shell actually makes the coutnry any safer. Infact it ends up making it much more difficult to repair some of the mistakes or issues that have arisen between the US and other countries of the world. Protection is very important but at what point does it become too much, where it affects the day to day lives of the American citizens it is trying to protect. I think easing some of these restrictions, and repairing ties between other countries is a must at the moment, especially when it comes to building confidence in trading and helping to better the economic crisis that is affecting so many people around the world. The US needs change, because the old methods were safer but faililng, and Obama is taking the right steps so far.

Are you kidding me? Of course we are safer. All of Pres. Bushs lies are starting to surface.

In the long run, Obama's diplomatic approach to international affairs has the potential to leave America more safe than it has been under Bush. It may take time, but appealing to war tactics as a measure of defense has simply increased the divide between nations serving as a breeding ground for terrorists and the countries most often subject to terrorist attacks. If, through diplomacy, Obama can improve the United States' international standing, and possibly even lower its international profile, then maybe the United States would be less detestable and thus a less likely target.

Mr. Chaney's comments are indicative of the Republican Party's on going strategy to scare Americans about the Democrats inability to protect us. I hope that Americans are smart enough to realize this strategy and ignore the HAWK.

Jack – It is too early too tell. Please ask the same question 6 months from now.

The US is much less safe under Obama for quite a few reasons. Not least of which is his planned reduction of the defense budget and our own nuclear capabilty during a time when North Korea and Iran are develpoing nuclear weapons. I fear the only thing that will wake people up to the danger is a nuke blowing a hole in a major US city

It's a bit early to known whether or not we're more or less safe. Obama has been in office for less than 100 days, and people still believe in his ability to be this country's savior. Nothing major has happened yet. You could say the piracy issue is major, but that has happened every day for centuries. Why is it big news now? It gives Obama military experience he does not have. We will know we are safer only when other countries begin to work with us towards peace.

Former President Bush, former Vice President Cheney, and former Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld couldn't find their asses with both hands much less recognize an immanent terrorist threat. No, the country is not less safe than it was under these nitwits. Quite the contrary! Thank goodness all of them are gone from power before they completely destroyed the nation!

Of course we are safer. We have N. Korea moving ahead trying to produce a nuke. We have Pakistan agreeing to turn over part of there counrty to the Taliban and were now ready to engage Iran in talks. All the while our teleprompter Pres. is busy training his new dog.

This country is not safe and it has nothing to do with Obama. It has never been safe as far as I am concerned. There is a lot that needs to be done before I feel safe. We need to increase the number of men/women in the military and protect our borders among other things.

I do not feel we are less safe under Obama now than we were under Bush. However, with recent cuts in the defense budget and the President's ban on space weapon systems he may be preventing us from potential gains in national security.

Will
University of Notre Dame

NO! Nothing is more dangerous than hate and we have never been more hated than we were under the hubris of the Bush administration.

Of course we are safer. We had an idiot for President. Now we have a man of firm conviction who took action. The only action Bush ever took was to attack a country (Iraq) that was of no threat to the US. Reagan attacked Grenada. He would have done more to help the US by attacking Texas.
We need these mealy mouthed Republicans that have never served to shut up and do nothing. That includes people I (am 63) want to be in a life or death fight with like Boehner or McConnell or Rove, who would try to have someone else fight for them.
We have a real President! Why doesn't everyone get up and salute him as our first Commander in Chief in years.

Bruce Morningstar

If there is a risk of another terrorist on US soil, it is not because of any action or ommission by President Obama. Thanks to the mess Dick Chaney and George Bush left for the rest of the world to deal with – their fabricated war in Iraq that enriched their friends, the hiring of mercenary armies like Haliburton and Blackwater to torture and kill innocent civilians with impunity, the displacement of millions of Iraqi families, the annihilation of an entire country's infrastructure and their inability to focus on problems that led to the 911 attacks in the first place. Yea, Dick, you might be right!
Naima
Columbia, MD

Hi Jack I'm watching you from Russia where I live – the less enemies you have the safer you are. The US needs a balanced approach to the foreign policy that Obama will likely deliver. I think you'll be more safe with him. So as the rest of the planet.

Dick Cheney has been out of touch for some time now. We are much safer under Obama's leadership as we now have global support again. It is so satisfying as an American to know that once again we have friends in the world. I have friends in other countries and throughout the Bush reign of error I assured them that many, many Americans disagreed with the policies – not to judge America by the Bush administration. But now with overwhelming support at home, I'm comfortable letting our global neighbors judge the USA on the basis of Obama's policies. Confidence, competence, eloquence. What a nice change.

Heck no. The Republicans led by Dick Cheney are in denial and are still trying to prove to themselves and anyone who will listen that they were right in attacking Iraq.

Having been in NJ during 911 to see and smell the carnage how could anyone not feel safer with Pres. Obama? President Obama is Intelligent, alert, confident in his decisions and without war mongers. He's even reading all the reports. Any wonder we are safer..

One leader can´t solve all the security problems; I think some companies of Telecomunications are making a "big deal" out of one small situation, people will become paranoid thinking we live in a crisis. No Country is always safe, more the US that has a lot of attacks, including moral ones, I do not expect someone to recover the trust, we must re build the trust among us and then among the Government and leaders.

With the greatest respect, is it not a little early to making these kind of statements? The man has been in office for two months. How much has really changed?
When Bush/Cheney took office, there had been two major terrorist events in the US during the 90's (NYC & Oklahoma City). I think it is safe to say that most people living in the US still felt safe.

Bush & Co. were fully aware of the threat before 9-11 and ignored the warnings, and look what happened. It all sounds like fear mongering and sour grapes to me.

How are do we quantify "less safe". I think there will be less threats of attack on the U.S. I believe this is because of the approach Obama is taking in changing the world's perception of the U.S. I think the world's percetion of the U.S. was lower than any point in our country's history at the close of the Bush administration. I believe part of the process of preserving our way of life and our nation's security will be improving the way the world views the U.S. We will never completely eliminate these threats. If we can improve our image, the rest of the world will be more inclined to help/support our causes. Hopefully this will come to fruition.

We are probably safer under Barack Obama, and our safety will probably increase as the world begins to once again respect the U.S. of America. Torture will stop, and reason will begin again. Our leader will listen to others, rather than dictate and strut, as Bush did.

President Obama clearly proved that he is capable of handling volatile situations and getting the job done. Many will try to test him and many more will realize that this president IS THE ONE FOR THE JOB!!!

Yes, we are dangerously exposed to bold new ideas, intelligence, and optimism.

Less safe under Obama? For that to be fact, we'd have to witness 2 9/11s and 2 Katrinas. Since fewer americans have died under Obama than Bush I'd say Obama qualifies for the safe drivers reward.

maybe we should ask the 3 somali pirates if they think we are less safe under are new commander and chief

If some big attack happens it might just be because of the evolution of alqueta, and not that we are doing anything wrong.

President Obama in reality has opened up the channels of communication for clear diplomacy, which the Bush administration has for 8 years kept a hard line and not waivered. Open channels of diplomacy are an invitation to peace and shared global prosperity not terrorist attacks

Statistically, every day that passes without a terrorist attack increases the chances of one happening.. up to you to decide who's fault it is.

Absolutely not! I feel extremely safe with President Obama as our President and commander in chief. I feel he is honest, fair, and mentally balanced for this job. He does not have knee-jerk reactions to situations, he is analytical and extremely intelligent.

Cheney was WRONG to try to cause America to panic and mis-trust our president. It just really shows how devious Cheney is. Very un-statesman like. Very disappointing.

Again....let me clear. I believe America is SAFER now that Cheney and his side-kick are out of office.

That's a tough question. Given that the World Trade disaster happened under Bush's watch; and with plenty of advance information – to the extent that Mr. Bush joked about it – it's hard to buy that we were safe AT ALL under those clowns. That is off course unless your a nutty Republican who buys into all that right-wing poppycock.

Frankly, I'm square in the peg with Obama and Biden. We're doing more now to restore America's security than those two Bozo's have done in thier life times.

You are on your own!!!

Why do I feel that domestic terrorism has a key role in how the world views the United States? Something very fishy is going from the inside out.

We are dramatically less safe under President obama and as it looks we will continue to be more and more unsafe until some major attack happens to open the eyes of his blind cabinet and legislators.

Cheney's respond had a "since 911 clause" which is very laughable knowing that the worst terrorist attack ever on the US soil was under their watch. Mr. Cheney take out the clause and re-phrase the question... I thought not!

PULL OUT THE TROOOPS = SAVE THE ECONOMY!

We are not safe because the economy is giong to collapse unless we pull out the troops.

No, America is safer with Obama. Who allowed 9/11? Bush & Cheney. They were hired to do a job.. protect & defend the homeland. we know how they ignorned all warnings beforehand. As far as I am concerned and millions of Americans like me- Bush shoyuld have been impeached on 9/12.

Utter failure. He left it up to a lowly city Mayor to calm the fears of a nation while he went missing

Good riddance to Bush.

Feel safe? damn straight I do. Of course bing a true American- I don't scare easily

It's difficult to say quite yet whether or not President Obama has made the U.S. less safe than in the Bush/Chenney days ("his body of work is yet to come"), but his line of action gets my vote.

What is obvious is the fact that the Bush/Chenney ideas of keeping the country safe would've been tough to sustain. There's the Yoruba saying that essentially translates to "the baby who keeps his/her mother from sleeping will himself not get any sleep".

The path that the previous administration was herding the country was one that would keep the nation on edge for ever. That couldn't possibly have been sustained.

No way are we safer under Obama. We are not even the United States anymore. Obama is more concerned with how people feel about him throughout the world than he is about America. He spends his time telling the world that he is sorry about the United States. To terrorist countries no less. We let terrorists go here, we pay criminals with the bailouts whose numbers are beyond obscence so that they can also kill other innocent people. We've become a country where criminals and terrorists are heros who are entitled to kill our economy....and also our lives.

The economic and physical safety of the United States has been left in a shambles by the Bush/Cheney administration. The condition of our infrastructure, public education facilities and social services is the worst in the last 40 years. Our economy is currently suffering its worst set-back in my 65 year lifetime. Thanks to the unwarranted Iraq war, our military has been stretched to the breaking point, while neglect of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan has truly increased the risks to us from a revitalized Al Queda and Taliban. Virtually any positive action by President Obama will ameliorate these multiple risks. For Mr. Cheney: "There are none so blind as those who will not see."

If you don't think we're less safe under Obama, then you haven't been awake. Obama glad hands and bows to terrorists and doesn't have the strength to act other than pointing his finger and saying, "Shame on you." Bush protected us, despite liberals fighting him every step of the way.

If by safe Cheney meant waterboarding, Abu-Ghraib and dark torture chambers, then the U.S is certainly unsafer under Obama's administration. At least George Bush had the humility to accept that mistakes were made. Come to think of it, the world should not crucify Bush; Cheney is villian here!

Yeah, of course the US is more unsafe under Obama. He can't call a terrorist a terrorist, he is spending money that we don't have, he bows down to the king of Saudi Arabia, and he wants the president to be seen as a group of leaders in the world, rather than the leader of the world.

The failed logic that just because from Sept 12 2001 til now there are zero attacks on US soil is ridiculous. What about THE attack on Sept 11th? That was under BUSH'S watch. What about that?

I do not work for an intelligence agency, nor am I an expert on National Security. I am, however, a patriotic American and as a patriotic American I would like to pass on a message to the former VP Cheney..."Shut up...it's long past time for you start 'acting' like a statesman!". Closing Guantanamo and banning torture is the right thing to do and is what you and your cronies should have done while in office. When it comes to human rights, the US should be setting the example for the rest of the world. The people have spoken and it's nice to see that the 'current' administration is listening.

Jack, I am so tired of Dick Chaney. Ya think anyone, really cares what he has to say about anything? I have a comment for him, get somewhere and sit down and be quiet!!!

Liberals like BO will just give hugs to terrorists like ahmadenijead and they will LOVE us. If WE would only change the way WE live, the terrorists will let us live our lives in peace. Right liberals?
I would loved to have listened to someone explain that to the blacks in the deep (heavily democratic) south back in the 50's and 60's. If only YOU blacks would change the way YOU live, the racist white confederate democrats won't hang you in trees.
This is the kind of logic now leading our country. Of course we are less safe.

How quickly we forget that the single worst domestic act of terrorism happened on President Bush's watch! Are we safer now under President Obama? Absolutely!

Just because Obama is not so "in your face" as G. Bush doesnt mean he won't utilize our military to protect US citizens. This was just proven with the rescue off the coast of Somalia. Obama was smart and kept a low profile about the situation while the US Navy handled the situation under the President's orders.

Why don’t you ask when he's going to walk on water? It seems that his policies and actions are already a fore gone conclusion. Stayed tuned for the next press conference I hear he's going to turn water to wine and make puppies rain from the sky. When are you people going to wake up. Obama, bush or joe down the block isn't going to make us more or less safe with policy debates. The people that want to harm us don’t care about your policies and nothing is going to change that. You have to go and get them before they get you. I know in today’s P.C. world that might not go over well but that is what you are going to have to do. Bush gets blamed for 9/11 after being president for 9months after Clinton was president for 8 years. So if we are attacked tomorrow who you going to blame? I think we all know the answer.

We have proven in the past that we are not effective when dealing
with our enemies. We have consistently been fooled by North Korea.
Iran will run cirlcles around President Obama and Hillary Clinton.

While, as a Republican, I disagree with Mr Chaney, the polls that you mention are as bogus as Chaney's statement. 90% of Democrats would oppose anthing that Chaney says. The poll is more of an indictment of him than showing support for Obama's policies.

Citing an opinion poll to assess security seems like a weak standard, rather it is more of a popularity contest as most people don't study the topic. It would be more helpful to list the changes which have been made and to described the potential affect on security. It is time to close our borders and enforce our laws.

Jack
When you see a President O-BOW-MA to a King that has the largest number of terorist of course i feel less safer.They see that USA is getting weaker and they will try to attack NorthAmerica again.
I would like to see Cheney to be the Vice President and not Biden.
Just imagine how much fun would be.
George

How safe and secure was America under Cheney's administration? 9/11 and the anthrax attacks happened under the Bush/Cheney watch. So did the Iraq War, Abu Ghraib, Hurricane Katrina, open borders, and this terrible economic meltdown to mention just a few of the crises the Bush/Cheney administration left for Obama and Biden to fix. People like Cheney and Rove should just shut up! Haven't they done enough to hurt America!

What does the average American really "Know" about that? What they "think" really doesn't matter. Of course the democrats will back Obama with their "feeling" about our safety. In reality, we have to trust those who are involved in that part of our government. If there are some in the government who perceive that we are not safe, then there most likely is something behind that, not just a "feeling". We ought to not be offended by the statment that we are not as safe, but ask real questions about WHY we are not as safe and then actually DO something about it. It's NOT a partisan issue. Either we are or we aren't.

I think that President Obama is doing the right thing we have to gain what we lost during the previous administration and that is the respect of other nations and be open minded to other cultures and that we are not the only smart ones on planet earth . Thanks to Bush we are hated all over. And please don't let me comment on what Cheney think he just have a problem since he no longer in power. Thank God .

Trick question, as the US we knew is gone due to treasonous acts of Bush administration. If you mean "am I afraid of terror attacks more now than under Bush" then the answer is NO!

The truth is we are,never were, and never will be safe from terrorism.Dick Cheney is just doing a little "Wishful Thinking" when he says the country is less safe under Obama because he knows that the only chance a Republican has to win the Whitehouse anytime soon is if there is a terror attack on the U.S. Mainland, and they can then restart the fear machine again.

President Obama, is more qualified, to keep us safe then the War Mongers of the Bush Administration, especially Dick Cheney and Chertoff.

The nation's President is being "tried" just as our rather verbal Vice-Pres. said he would be. Are we temporatily less safe now than under Pres. Bush? You better believe it. However, we hope Mr. Obama continues to learn rapidly AND continue to trust (and USE when necessary) the military leaders' advice and counsel. And pirates are an international problem, not just a U.S.A. one, and only ONE current danger. Where is the UN?? The dead in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rawanda, Darfur, and whereever is next don't put much faith in "resolutions".

"Man-made disaster" should explain the lack of knowledge President Obama has. Terrorists ARE TERRORISTS. VP Cheney is why we are safer. Not Bush, Not Obama.

Yes, I feel that President Obama has made this country safer, I feel that throughout his "2" terms in office he will make more freinds than enemies with other nations, a job that good old President Bush and V.P. Cheney had trouble with, and lets not forget 9/11 took place while they were in office.

Roanoke, Virginia

I believe we are so much better off as a nation and security-wise under President Obama. He listens and he cares about our country. He has done more in the few days he's been in office than the past president did in 8 years. As for Cheney---why is he even commenting now? He was no where to be seen for 8 years while he was the so-called vice president.

Are you for real. Are you not premature. Lets see what happens over the next four years? Feeling safe dosen't make us safe.

It's a matter of foreign policy opinion. Does America protect herself by brute consistent force/fear , or does she "speak softly, and carry a big stick"? Personally, I felt very safe during Bush's first term. It was necessary to show strong force after 9-11, but when diplomacy started to wane, so did the facade of safety. Now that Obama has shown that he will back up diplomacy with force, even on something as small scale as a lone pirate attack, I feel as safe or safe than I did at any point during Bush's terms.

Mr Vice President, you are dead wrong! We were safe as a country after 9/11 whether you agree with Bush or not......you have been in office all of 3 months! The country may be safe under your watch, but it is too early to tell.......

Well lets give Dick a little credit. He's gone from shooting people's heads off to shooting his mouth off. That's the lemonade. The fact is all Republicans continue to throw every possible thing at President Obama, hoping something will stick that will rally those other than their base. Problem is things seem to be moving forward. It is at a snail's pace, but forward none the less. It has been a long time since the US has had a man this intelligent and with this level of commitment to a vision running the show. I think he has met and is exceeding all expectations and that bodes well for homeland security. This man has the ability to make the WORLD safer. Bravo Mr. President.

Jack, let's think this through:
Bush couldn't be bothered to READ a memo titled "Bin Laden determined to attack inside the United States"
He let Bin Laden escape when surrounded by American troops at Tora Bora.
He couldn't actually tell that Iraq is a different place from Afghanistan.
He looked under his desk for WMDs, but couldn't be bothered to listen to expert inspectors, and rebuked the Swiss when they passed on Saddam's offer to do whatever Bush wanted to avoid war.
Bush and Cheney think the Constitution should be shredded, and did so, leaving us far less protected from OUR government.
The Iraqis, Iranis, Afghanis (a bit less so) and many Pakistanis hate the last US government, and with good reasons like.....torture, 1 million dead civilians, depleted uranium weapons and the cancers they cause, etc etc

And you want to know if we are LESS safe????? Just a bit more of Bush/Cheney, and the United States might be lost for good.

We have exchanged the Village Idiot for a Constitutional Law Professor.

Are we less safe, Jack? No. We might be a little safer because President Obama is reaching out to enemies as well as reestablishing good relations with ALL our allies. "Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer." Sometimes it makes sense.
Our diversion to Iraq allowed the Taliban to take control of a section of Pakistan that once was a tourist mecca and allowed bin Laden and Al Qaeda to regroup. That was not safe.
Only time will tell.

It's a divisive, polarizing question that has no clear answer this early, there's way too many factors... Why even ask it at this point?

And why ask if we "feel" safer rather than "are" we safer? Because it becomes an emotional response rather than a logical one...

and now to the new dog coverage... thank god....

Thomas J Canton April 14th, 2009 6:01 pm ET

All I know is I am now considered an “Enemy of the State” thanks to the DHS memo.

Safer no, getting the Navy Seals to knock off the Pirates was a very well executed plan and credit to the Obama administration for getting it done. However, Iran is still developing centriffuges and North Korea has now sent a missile over Japan. That is more scary…

Why haven’t the nuclear capabilities of both of those countries been destroyed?

Then I will safer…

Why didn't your hero George (mission accomplished) Bush finish those issues. They were certainly a problem when he was in office, yet he chose to invade Iraq. Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think its rather simple minded to think that the deep seated hatred of our way of life will stop simply because we have a new president. The "terrorist's" didn't hate Bush, they hated everything about our country's imperialist nature and way of life. I would like to think that either president would do everything possible to prevent an attack. Although, Obama might do quite a bit to change foreign attitudes toward us, we should all stop pretending that the government can really protect us from "terrorists."

I don't think the country is less safe under President Obama. If anything the country is marginally safer. From what I understand, military commanders in Iraq have reported that the abuses at Abu Gharib (sp?) and Gitmo have been the biggest motivating factors behind insurgents coming to Iraq and attacking the occupying forces there. The people who carry the biggest weight in protecting our country are our military forces, intelligence community, and domestic police forces. I don't think their efforts or determination in protecting our country have diminished at all with the new administration. I believe President Obama's positions against rendition, torture, and indefinite confinement without due process will lessen the motivation of some to attack our country and our military personal while President Bush's support of the same led to increased attacks against our personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sean from Chicago.

The United States is probably safer under the Obama Administration than during the Bush Administration. At least we're not hellbent on pre-emptive wars and gutting our moral credibility around the world by torturing prisoners and flying people to secret prisons, with no proof that they were guilty of anything. I stand 100% behind President Obama.

Really? Regime that got over 4 thousand American soldiers killed in Iraq for no good reason, besides to help their oil friends get richer, is now calling out president Obama, who actualy now is getting us in touch with the world??? Like it was said here before, isolation does nothing but creates false impresions and ideals, which might work for people of Texas, but i for one hope thats where that will stay!
WOW i cant believe Cheney is realy that ignorant that after his decades of fiasco in the White house, he still will go on tv with his rant.... stay away!

Jack, I think the republicans should pack their bags and leave town, they're so far out of reality it's unbelievable. We were hated under Bush, now it's work to undo their legacy! AND we only had less government for the rich banks, insurance companies, and corporations, everybody else was in dire straits. There was nothing good about them 8 years! thanks for the question!

I feel much safer with Obama as President. He understands the need to keep Americans safe and doesn't feel the need to politisize this issue.

Does Cheney have any credibility left? He has become an icon in pop culture as the evil hand behind Bush's disastrous policies. Over the past 8 years Cheney has proven and he and the Bush administration were frequently out of touch with reality as they justified their illegal and immoral policies with flat-out lies and distortion. While pushing for the invasion of Iraq, Cheney even claimed Iraq was behind 9/11 long after experts had said there was not any connection. So needless to say, I, like most Americans, do not agree with Cheney on this. It is the Bush administrations policies that have left us in a weak position and it is up to the new administration to repair America's international image as a responsible power while keeping America safe and secure.

Hi jack (no pun intended)..less safe under Obama???...c'mon now....less safe under a president & administration that does not have their heads buried where the sun fails to shine....

Count me amongst the masses of people that have a firm belief in our NEW president!!!

bestb regards ex-Nu Yawka' John

Noooooooo! To the contrary. Indeed, I feel Americans are safer under President Obama's watch.

I think Cheney has a lot of nerve to suggest such lunacy. He must buy into those right-wing conspiracy theories, and in fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that perhaps Cheney is the author of such theories.

Of course we are safer, we're so much further in debt thanks to Obama that we have little or nothing left. This is proven further still with his bowing to the Saudi King.

Safer, I think not even the EU is afraid of pushing him around.

We are so much safer under President Obama. We are more respected and seen as a more intelligent nation now, how can that be more dangerous than the way we were seen under Bush and Cheney? By the way, I'd go duck hunting with President Obama anytime.

As we gain respect in the world by walking our talk, we can only hope we will be safer from foreign attack. My fear at this point is coming from rabid, foaming at the mouth citizens, politicians and YES sir, the MEDIA who keep stoking the fires burning within. When will we learn that we all have more in common with each other than we have differences, and put hatred aside. Hate and intollerance is the new terrorism!

I think when it comes to statesmanship and running a country, president Obama is in a totally different league from president Bush and Dick Chaney. For the first time, America is on top of Amnesty International's list of countries that don't respect human rights. I don't think torturing people made US safer. In fact it created more enemies for us around the world.

Jack

We are just as safe with President Obama or maybe more safe than
with Bush. We don't have that warlord Dick Cheney and Mr Obama seems to understand alot more about diplomacy. He's taking great strides in repairing the american image around the world. This was something our last administration failed miserably at..

We are certainly much safer now. Let's not forget Al Qaeda tried to attack the
World Trade center in 1993 and waited 8 years before attempting that
again. For Bush and Company to take credit for the fact that no more
9/11s happened on their watch is the height of arrogance and dishonesty when dealing with an organization that does not seem to
suffer from our collectively short attention span.

Missiles in the air, pirates taking a U.S. ship, Turkish man flies stolen plan into the U.S., China hacking into the power grind and Pentagon over 1,000 attempts to hack in. All in a few weeks. Geez Jackkkkk....., what do you think!!

We haven't been attacked because NO ONE can take any box-cutter or anything sharp objects including nail-clipper on the airplane anymore. It takes more than an hour extra for you to checking. You have to almost disrobe before you get through the gate. Not even a bottle water can pass through. These are the reasons we haven't been attacked. If we have done all these before 9/11, 9/11 may never happened. Torture did nothing but create more hate and more enemy. Dick Chaney are preaching this because he might have to use this as his defense at his war-crime trial.

At least we are not sitting at home in FEAR. The Bush administrations attack on Terror was a scare tactic, now we need to be smart about how to proceed.

Correct me if I'm wrong Jack, but didn't 9/11 happen on the Bush/Cheney watch? How can Cheney say we are less safe now? Terrorism existed and there were attacks before 9/11, and then, on their watch............9/11! Does Cheney think time started after that date?

No, N. Korea, Iran and other contries are going to push to see what kind of metal our president made of, They always do with a new president. Republican want us to believe that the world is going to end with out their input. Cheney need to shut up and go out to the pasture.

Of course we are safer now – simply by the fact that we now have a sitting President who can string together two coherent sentences! How novel!

We are safer under Obama, as he smoothes foreign relations he also will, hopefully, bring America more allies amongst those nations citizens. Under Bush or allies began to retreat from us.

We are moving towards greater safety because President Obama has worked to re-connect us with our traditional European allies and reach out to former enemies. The days of Cowboy Bush the lone ranger are over and there is safety in numbers. Our enemies prefer an America standing alone without friends. As to Cheney, he is a poor man's Rush Limbaugh but more dangerous as he is one of the architects of the wars we are in. Dr. Strangelove?

The U.S. is going to be safer under the Obama presidency. Obama seems to be reaching out to other countries and opening up a "new line" of dialog. Bush had an arrogant attitude toward other countries, which was a reflection on the U.S. citizens. Now Obama, not having an arrogant attitude hopefully will turn around the attitude toward the U.S. Obama seems to have the "talk" attitude rather then the "macho" attitude of Bush which I prefer to call the "macho nuke 'em" attitude.

it's silly to think we are less safe with bush out of office, if anything we are safer do to the fact that more leaders of the world like obama then they did bush. and i do believe that if anything do's happen , as the leader of the U.S. obama will react to what ever is put in his way..

Jack, the country is more safer under the Obama presidency, than it was under the Bush administration who did nothing, but created a lot of problems for Americans allover the world .

dead wrong,the former vice presend has been wrong truck all along,
and he is now.
the way that the people veiw america right now is never been higher.
so they are saver,than before sir. and he is doing what ever he things is the best way to achieve that

Jack, if we were "safe" when we had the world seething and gnashing their teeth at America and the Bush Regime, I think we are a great deal safer with the Obama Admin.
Doesn't it feel even the smallest bit better, to have a leader that is once again respected and admired around the world? I know I feel better, safer and... I'm a Republican.

Hell, no.

I am sorry to say I voted for Bush and he blustered and blundered us into an even less tenuous position than we were already in. He bet on "greatest generation" tactics in a flat world.

Obama may not be getting it right but at least he is trying to operate in the 21st century. He will make mistakes but hopefully it will be two steps forward for every one step back.

We are not the biggest, fastest, smartest kid in the neighborhood anymore. Say "hi" to China, Russia, India, South America and the Middle East.

We can and should kick ass when it is the only option but we can't bully every situation into our way of thinking. Other people/countries have ambitions, too, and they not only deserve to be, they have to be respected.

The United States is less safe now than it would have been if we had continued to let the WMD inspectors search Iraq for WMDs. Certainly by now if they were still searching, we would have decided that there were no WMDs - and by the way we would never have squandered our wealth and compromised our once strong and affordable military by fighting a needless war in Iraq.

I have seen our country becoming progressively less safe over the over the past 20 years no matter who was, or is in office. Our national security is at risk due the fiscal irresponsibility of all our leaders to date. Taxpayers on the hook for $80 trillion dollars, which is statistically impossible to pay back, will eventually undermine our national security level. God help us.

This past Easter Sunday, I felt the safest that I have felt in a long time! When I learned that the Navy SEALS had taken out the three Somalis who had kidnapped the American captain on an American flagged vessel, I jumped for joy! There were some uneasy days prior to that for me.

I really liked and respected how President Obama kept the American people out of the blow-by-blow accounts of this saga. It was difficult for me as an American to think of our "soil" being held hostage, but I was confident in our President to make the wise decision, and I was glad he did! It was reassuring to learn that he had, in fact, been very involved in the entire course of this horrific incident, and simply used his good judgment to not alarm the American people unnecessarily.

I think that Cheney should just shut his filthy, hateful mouth up.

America is less safe under a Democrat than under a Republican is the kind of partisan political comments we have come to expect from the likes of chicken hawk neocons. I am still waiting to hear how attacks were prevented by torture, illegal wire taps or unnecessary war.

Let me see. By the end of the Bush years, America was universally despised as an arrogant bully whose policies led to this economic collapse we're facing, got usinvolved in two wars, and used torture as a weapon while describing anyone who disagreed with the Bushies as aiding the terrorists. Under Obama, the Europeans like us, and the Muslim world seems willing to at least listen before condemning us.

When faced with atacks, Bush ranted about "crusades" and blustered and wouldn't pay attention to the military experts, firing anyone who suggested that maybe Rummy's theories wouldn't work.. During the recent pirate standoff, Obama quietly worked with military advisors and actually listened to them and left the final decision on the Navy officers on the scene.

Who do you think has made us less safe?

We are disarming by cutting projects like the F-22A Raptor. While North Korea is making ICBMs and nukes. So we are disarming while our enemies are making nukes. I feel very "safe" under Obama.

Heaven's to Betsy – NO. Jack, C'Mon! Cheney is about as credible and trustworthy as say, Darth Vader (oh wait, he is Darth Vader). So there you go.

Lizzy

Just as safe, but we feel safer because we are not as afraid as we were under the Bush/Cheney culture of fear. Threats are out there either way, but I do not want to be aware of the threats; its not my job as a citizen to be aware of these threats because there is nothing I can do about them except be afraid. Fear slows the economy; fear causes xenophobia. If I'm not afraid, I can go back to my daily life in peace. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to national security.

are we safer with Obama . well of cause we are safer. Bush was just listening to Chaney thats why we are where we are. chaney has to remember he is no longer running the white house and should get over his bitter attatude.

No more or no less. How can closing GITMO change anything? These folks are willing to die to get us, GITMO is not a deterrant so why have it. We need to stop them at the source and that seems to be what Pres Obama is trying to do. More than what the Bush/Cheany administration did. Cheany is dead wrong and should read his memos.

Larry R
San Diego CA

I think President Obama has taken the steps necessary to resolve our security problems at their root through diplomatic options which is making us safer. Putting a gun to the head of everyone in the world who disagrees with us just didn't work.

Former Vice President Cheney is just missing the spot light and is trying to energize the Limbaughs and Palins of America. The country became less safe when President Bush decided to invade Iraq and strain our economic and military abilities. President Obama's efforts to bridge back relations with the Europeans and the Muslims, especially the Iranians, will only strengthen our fight against terrorism and help bring the United States back to its pre-Bush era, as a country of high moral standards.

Jack:

We are as safe if not safer as ever under Obama. When Bush or Cheney were saber rattling all over the world they were more likely to make others mad enough to lop something over at us or plan harm.

Of course we are safer.

To invade a sovereign nation that had nothing to do with 9/11, take our eyes off the one who did, enrage Islamist terrorists even further by Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo was, to put it kindly, bone headed and our national image and safety suffered.

The Pew study is interesting insofar as the so-called polarization is concerned for another reason. Can we please survey Democrats, Republicans AND Independents and report the opinions. There are a growing number of us, and we vote.

Signed,
Independent in New Mexico

Jack, the truth of the matter is we won't know how safe we are until our security has been compromised. Cheney must have forgotten that 9/11 happened on the administration's watch that he was a part of. I am sure President Obama has taken copius notes on the handling of our security in that regard.

Diana, Clinton Twp., MI

The only thing that has kept us safe from foriegn attacks is the right of the us citizen to keep and bear arms when that right is trampled, you will see your security trampled with it.
Terrorists don't worry about what the govt. will do they worry about what the United states . people will do. Thats why they fly planes into buildings and farmers fields and not invade your towns by land But most people don't realize that . they just follow their govt. like blind mice to a cheese filled trap.

Jack, Are we safer now? Try living in Darfur, Somalia or some other anarchy. We are as safe as can be expected; certainly we are becoming ethically more correct which over time could lead to an even safer sense.

I do not think that the US is less safe under Obama, but Biden is flat out wrong...It is NOT MORE SAFE either! I think the policies related to the terrorist in Cuba is wrong and sends the wrong message. I believe they should be treated the same as they treat those that they kidnap etc. If that's torture so be it. I do not see any of them playing by the rules. Killing the pirates was the right move, but why did it take so long to take action. We will only be safe if the bad guys know that we will respond strongly, quickly and that they will pay a big price ....not a slap on the hand and a kiss on the cheek.
Duke O'Brien
Huntington Beach, Ca

I am in total agreement with Mr. Rob Barnes. Obama promises too many things, – then does not do it. His games will be the downfall of the American we once knew. Republican or Democrat – it does not matter – Bush is NOT the reason other countries no longer respect America – Obama is playing a very dangerous game – one this Country cannot succeed at. He is clueless as to what this Country needs – no experience in politics – watch him give his speeches, when there are no cue cards – he cannot speak.
Whether you liked him or not, Bush did this country good. You guys were made at the Iraqi war – you did not stand behind the commander of our military personnel – thereby letting down our soldiers and those who are fighting for our freedoms. Obama does not understand that.

OMG! R u kidding me! America to me is much safer now i think than it was 8 yrs ago. We actually have a president who cares about the american people and making peace in the Middle East Under the Bush administration we had those that only cared about themselves and making themeselves richer.

Jack, are you seriously asking about the validity of a statement made about Obama from a man who faked an injury so that he wouldn’t have to stand and honor Obama at his Inauguration? I wouldn't give him the time of day and definitely airtime regarding anything he has to say.

Jack:.
Bush kept us safe, and no one can take that away from him, whether you agree with him or not:
The truth is that Mr. Obama has absolutely no experience in foreign policy. Proof of that is the way he opened Cuba to help Mr. CAstro in a country that has no human rights or respect for human beings. He is soft on Alkaida, North Korea, Iran, etc. and I am really expecting disaster to hit at any time. If it does, God save us!!!
Miriam from Miami

I don't think his policies have had a chance to make any changes (yet) but I do feel that those who want to do us harm now believe any response to an attack on the US won’t be as swift or as harsh. We as a nation don’t need to make threats to stay safe but the world does need to know with out a doubt that if they harm us there will be quick, effective consequences.

I feel much safer now that Cheney is not running the country. I would have said Bush but let's face it, President "Shrub" was just a front man for the interests of others.

This whole question is just ridiculous. Anyone who had the delusional idea that we were "safe" with G.W. Bush in the White House needs to have their medication adjusted. We are no more or less "safe" than we have ever been, which is to say that we are as "safe" as sensible vigilance can make us and has ever been able to make us. Personally, I feel more "safe" with a sensible and reasoning person in the Oval Office now.

The previous adminstration used scare tactic to unite their supporters in order to stay in power.It is the same security measure which is in place.For Cheney to comeout and talk in the manner he spoke is mind bogling. He was not a good leader and he is not a good citizen. His time is over. He should go and retire.

I believe the United has received a wealth of Information from the President. I feel safer and more informed, not like the silence we received from the previous administration. Matter of fact the country is getting a free education on economic principals.

Glenn

We are certainly less safe under Obama, we look weak under his leadership, bowing down, sometimes literally, to foreign leaders. We need to be the world super power, not a nation among others. People who believe this sort of rhetoric have no idea what their really asking for. We will be attacked again, we seem to have a short memeory in this country. The president needs to concern himself with America's interests, not winning a popularity contest by degrading the country

I agree that President Obama has made the U.S. less safe, but my reasons are probably different than former-Vice President Cheney's. As long as President Obama keeps up our extreme military interventionism abroad the country is going to be targeted more and more by people that wish us harm. Our foreign policy has blowback, and this is the reason we need to adopt a non-interventionist foreign policy. Our founding fathers warned us against intervening in the affairs of other nations and we have spurned this sensible advice. We should listen to to the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson who stated, "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none."

Canton, Ohio

If your an American Christian, your less safe because the liberals are very hateful toward that religion, those people and their beliefs for some reason. I just wish liberals would say one good positive thing about conservatives instead of spreading so much intolerance, hatred and lies about them. Conservatives love people and they just disagree on what is wrong and right. They don't hate anyone. Liberals hated Bush so much and it breaks my heart to have lived through so much hatred and to this day they still talk bad about a great man. He made mistakes, no one is perfect. Love people with different points of view. You can shake hands with a terrorist, shake hands with a conservative.

I feel we are safer now with a president who believes in opening up lines of communication this should always be the first step to diplomacy. We as Americans were so disliked under the Cheney/Bush administration of " It's our way or the highway"
America made many more enemys than friends and I as an American am proud the way Mr. Obama has changed this policy.
I believe America will be strong and firm and take what ever action is needed when the situation arises. But we will also Stop Look and Listen then decide. Kudos Obama!
Flo

We are safer now, since January 20th, then we have been since 9-11. Dick Cheney is the irrelevant has-been former vice president of an administration the violated enough laws and treaties to put its leaders in prison for the rest of their lives. He should shut up and count his blessing that he is still a free man. We haven’t been attacked because no one wanted to attack us. Our open borders sure wouldn’t have stopped anyone. We had over eight years of being looked down on by a good share of the world because of Bush and Cheney’s policies and attitudes. That has come to an end and now Cheney is trying to make a big comeback. Sorry Dick, but that show left town in January.

The awful truth about Dick Cheney and Conservatives of his ilk is that they actually wish that the U.S. is less safe under President Obama and if God forbid another tragedy such as 9/11 would occur, they would love to be able to say "We told you so." These so-called patriotic Americans who carry a bible in one hand and a shot gun in the other cannot accept the fact that they lost the election. They only make it all too clear that racism in this country is "alive and well."

Jack!
I feel confident that our country is now being run by sane adults instead of greedy oilmen! But this country will only be safer if we recognize that our own Southern Border is a greater threat to our security than the Pakistan/Afghanistan Border. See what I mean on "May-Day".
-Rory Murray
San Bernardino,CA

He has increased the safety of the United States in terms of stability, confidence, and the rule of law. Cheney may be right in terms of the immediate material security of the United States but those same policies have diseased and tarnished the United States via a corruption of the judicial and legal system. Cheney's monarch like executive philosophy almost pushed this nation into a fascist form of nationalism. Obama has won my approval by his return to prudent and just policies.

Chenny suffers from loss of power. It must eat away at him constantly or else he wouldn't have this urgency to speak out against the Obama administration on a regular basis. No, we aren't less safe because of the Obama policies. His policies will actually make us stronger and safer. When will this pompous sore loser go away? I'm tired of hearing what he has to say. It is of no consequence.

Bush/Cheney has to say that they made the US safe in order to make themselves feel good. How one can say that after so many lives were lost on our soil, beats me. In less than a 100 days, our citizens feel good about our country, as does the rest of the world. President Obama, along with his advisors, are making the best possible choices. Most attacks are not easily seen, however, we all pray that 911 will not happen again.
M.

we are more safe , jack you know why because Bush or republican are not in charge you know what i mean the way Republican express about anything is bad if is not they way or you dont follow them your EVIL and you need to be punish but with OBAMA we can talk with the rest of the world and work together in fixing what is wrong

Yes the country is less safe. We sit as begging dogs at the table of the United Nations. The Ayatollahs of Iran, a North Korea Dictator & Al Queda, terrorists & pirates only respond to real threats of retaliation. We can not go back down that road prior to 9/11. the UN should just disband because of its paralysis.