http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-cheney29aug29,1,3419706.storyBush Shields U.S., Cheney Says
The vice president says `sound policy decisions' by the president, and a vigilant government, have deterred terrorist strikes since 9/11.
By Julian E. Barnes
Times Staff Writer
August 29, 2006
RENO — Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that "sound policy decisions" by the Bush administration were the reason the United States had not been attacked by terrorists since Sept. 11, 2001.
Speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars convention here as the fifth anniversary of the attacks approached, Cheney said that terrorists had mounted successful attacks on targets overseas, including Madrid; London; and Jakarta, Indonesia — but not in the United States.
"No one can guarantee that we won't be struck again. But to have come this far without another attack is no accident," Cheney said, crediting "sound" decisions by President Bush and vigilance by U.S. agencies and the military.
Cheney's claim of credit for the absence of attacks, a frequent theme in his recent speeches, contrasts sharply with criticism by Democrats and others who charge the administration has left the U.S. more vulnerable to terrorism by focusing on the war in Iraq...........