Lynne Cheney blasts Democratic efforts

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Lynne Cheney, wife of U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney, criticizes what she says are the Democrats' ongoing attempts to fight anti-terror measures.

Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Cheney said the Democratic victories in the midterm elections have caused that political party to unfairly attack current programs such as the Patriot Act and the terrorist surveillance program.

"You have seen the Democrats consistently batter these programs and argue against them, and I think that it's not probably in the nation's interest," she said. "And I'm sure it is not on the president's agenda or the vice president's to let any group in this country strip those tools, the way they have kept us safe."

When asked about why such a massive change occurred during the midterm elections, Cheney laid blame in part on the ongoing problems in Iraq and recent Republican controversies.