New York:
President Obama and his policies on terror have come under strong attack from none other than former vice president Dick Cheney who says Obama's plan to close down the Guantanamo prison has made America less safe.
While former President Bush has said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the new administration's policies, the former VP seems to be embracing the role of the Republican Party's unofficial chief spokesman against President Obama's national security policies.
Dick Cheney has emerged as one of the strongest critics of the popular president Obama. He even took on the President in a back-to-back televised speech on his plans to close down the Guantanamo prison - which could require jailing some detainees on American soil.
"We are not going to release anyone if it would endanger our national security," Obama had said.
"Just don't bring them into the United States. Just remember it is a serious step to begin unveiling some of the very policies that have kept our people safe since 9/11," said former vice president Dick Cheney.
The former vice president is a highly unpopular figure in American politics and Republicans are split over what role he should play in the party now but Cheney has helped the party find a issue they can corner the President on - national security.
"The Republicans, Mitch McConnell in the Senate and of course Dick Cheney have made it a real issue. An issue of principle for them, but also a very powerful political issue," said Steven Hess, Political Analyst.
Rarely has a top official of a previous administration attacked a new president in such strong and harsh terms, but the Republican Party, which is still reeling from a disastrous performance in the elections, is searching for new leadership. Perhaps it's a void Dick Cheney is hoping to fill.