The Battle of the Vice Presidents

Polls show Americans are somewhat divided over how the federal government should fight terrorism.

A recent Quinnipiac poll says 59 percent of Americans want captured terrorists tried by the military, and a CBS News poll says 55 percent of Americans want the prison at Guantanamo Bay to remain open.

However, there is confusion in the air because another CBS poll says that 55 percent of Americans think the president is doing a good job on terrorism. Just 34 percent believe he is not. So that doesn't really add up.

Click here to watch Bill's "Talking Points"!

Most Americans disagree with the president on two key anti-terror issues: Gitmo and military courts. But they still support him on the terrorism issue overall.

Now, there was an interesting political display on the Sunday morning shows. We are billing it "The Battle of the Vice Presidents." In this corner, Dick Cheney:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: Up until 9/11, all terrorist attacks were criminal acts. After 9/11, we made the decision that these were acts of war, these were strategic threats to the United States. Once you make that judgment, then you can use a much broader range of tools, in terms of going after your adversary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Mr. Cheney went on to say that trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court is a big mistake, as is closing down Guantanamo Bay.

In reply, Vice President Joe Biden said this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT: Dick Cheney's a fine fellow. He's entitled to his own opinions. He's not entitled to rewrite history. The president of the United States said in the State of the Union we're at war with Al Qaeda. He stated — and by the way, we're pursuing that war with a vigor like it's never been seen before.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

To be fair, both sides have a decent argument when it comes to downgrading Al Qaeda. The Bush administration's aggressive anti-terror policies kept the nation safe for seven years. The Obama administration has terrorized the terrorists by a very aggressive drone missile program.

However, there is a major philosophical difference. The Bush administration saw the situation as a war, while the Obama administration largely sees it as criminal activity.

Over the weekend, Mr. Obama's top anti-terrorism guy John Brennan addressed the issue that 20 percent of terrorists released from Gitmo are back fighting the USA:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BRENNAN, OBAMA COUNTERTERRORISM ADVISER: People sometimes use that figure 20 percent and say oh my goodness one out of five detainees return to some type of extremist activity. You know, the American penal system, the recidivism rate is up in about 50 percent or so as far as return to crime. Twenty percent isn't that bad.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Well that statement has caused major controversy. But there is no question Mr. Brennan is comparing criminal recidivism like robbers to Al Qaeda.

That's where "Talking Points" has a problem. We are in a war with the jihadists. The Obama administration does not say that, with the exception of the State of the Union, but it's the truth. And I believe truth is a powerful weapon in defeating the Islamic killers who are trying to destroy us.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

A very exciting finish to the Daytona 500 Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Checkered flag in the air. The 52nd Daytona 500. Jamie McMurray, yes! Little Jamie baby!

JAMIE MCMURRAY, WINNER OF DAYTONA 500: I told my wife today — I was like — she's like if you win tonight — I'm going to cry. It's — I thought if I made it without seeing my dad, I would be OK. But it's just — it's unbelievable really. I can't — I can't explain it. It's just — it's a dream.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

For a great performance, Jamie McMurray is a patriot.

On the pinhead front, the Fox program "Family Guy" is run by a far-left guy who often uses the show to level vile personal attacks, like this one on Sarah Palin's family:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm glad we're finally going out, Ellen. I've really liked you for a long time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Getting down?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get up and pull my chair out for me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, goodness. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's better. You going to be this rude all evening? You haven't asked me anything about myself.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, sorry. So what do your parents do?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's better. My dad is an accountant, and my mom is the former governor of Alaska.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

"Family Guy" producer Seth MacFarlane is a pinhead, to say the least.

— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com