Obama deliberate, not dithering, WH says

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- The White House fired back at former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney for suggesting President Barack Obama's delay on troop strength in Afghanistan hurt allies.

"I think it's pretty safe to say that the vice president was, for seven years, not focused on Afghanistan, even more curious given the fact that an increase in troops sat on desks in this White House, including the vice president's, for more than eight months, a resource request filled by President Obama in March," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during a news briefing Thursday.

Cheney, during a speech Wednesday at the Center for Security Policy, said Obama "seems afraid to make a decision, and unable to provide his commander on the ground with the troops he needs to complete his mission."

Because no decision has been made about increasing troops in Afghanistan, Cheney said, U.S. troops are in danger.

Obama is considering recommendations by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, that as many as 40,000 more troops are needed in the country to forestall a failed mission there.

"What Vice President Cheney calls 'dithering,' President Obama calls his solemn responsibility to the men and women in uniform and to the American public," Gibbs said. "I find it interesting that he's blaming us for something that he didn't see fit to do over, best I can tell, seven years of a war in Afghanistan."