"In one of the most important debates in US history, the president and former vice president are lined up against each other on the vital subject of national security, so I am here to give you some vital no-spin perspective. We begin with President Obama, who believes that after the 9/11 attacks the Bush administration compromised some of America's core values. President Obama says waterboarding and other techniques are 'not the most effective means of interrogation.' But that is a bit of verbal slight of hand. It is the president's opinion, not a fact, that those techniques were not necessary. Mr. Obama also addressed closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, which he said 'has weakened national security.' The president is correct when he states that Gitmo has become a symbol of anti-American feeling; however, closing the prison doesn't guarantee anything. President Obama said the detainees will be housed in 'highly secure prisons' in the United States. Well, here's a bulletin for the world: The detainees are far better off inside Gitmo than they will be in a super-max American prison, where they'll be locked down solo because other inmates would kill them. So liberal Americans, including the president, should wise up about that. Finally, the president predicted that we 'can and will defeat Al Qaeda.' Let's pray he is right, but Dick Cheney is not optimistic. In his reply to the president, Mr. Cheney pointed out that standard diplomacy did little to blunt the growing problem of Al Qaeda. Then Mr. Cheney got pithy, saying the terrorist surveillance program saved lives 'until the New York Times put it on the front page.' The former vice president was obviously indicting the ultra-liberal newspaper in a major way. Mr. Cheney said harsh interrogations were 'used on hardened terrorists after other methods failed ... they prevented the deaths of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people.' It is here where Americans must make their own judgments. I've made mine and I would have waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Finally, Mr. Cheney said that ruling out enhanced interrogation 'would make the American people less safe.' That is a blunt warning and if the USA is attacked again President Obama will hear that echo."

The Factor invited conservative Mary Katharine Ham and liberal Ellis Henican, both Fox News analysts, to opine on the Obama-Cheney national security debate. "President Obama is a guy," Ham began, "whose positions on national security were delivered from the luxury of the campaign trail. Now he sees the briefings and, despite the rhetorical genius of his speech, in a lot of ways you see a vindication of certain Bush programs. And on enhanced interrogation techniques, even Barack Obama's national intelligence director has conceded that they helped save American lives." Henican criticized the Talking Points Memo as one-sided: "You were like a pit bull with Obama, but when it came to Cheney you were more like a pussycat. Rough interrogations, even if they provided some piece of information, had a negative impact with our allies and our enemies." The Factor argued that Henican lacks the proof to back up his assertions. "I'm not buying into the theory that Bush/Cheney policies put us into more danger. And our allies in NATO are still not helping, even though we're kinder and gentler, so the theory so far is not working."

FNC legal experts Lis Wiehl and Megyn Kelly sounded off on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, nominated by President Obama to serve on the Supreme Court. "The most trouble she's going to run into," Kelly predicted, "will come from remarks she has made in speeches. She said a 'wise Latina woman would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male.' That's racism and sexism." Wiehl contended that Sotomayor will not be penalized for that comment. "It was one statement, she's just saying that she's hoping she could come to a better decision than a white guy. I don't see that being a big problem for her. And she's very tough on crime, she sides with law enforcement."

Returning for a second segment, Wiehl and Kelly scrutinized the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8 and its ban on same-sex marriage. "This was a surprise," Wiehl said, "because these California judges are fairly liberal. What they're saying here is that the people have spoken and amended the Constitution, and the California Supreme Court got this right." Kelly was not surprised in the least: "This is exactly what I predicted they would do. These justices were not persuaded by the arguments that they should reverse the will of the people. The court said gays have all the rights of straights except for that 'marriage' label." The Factor predicted that gay marriage advocates will continue to press the issue: "They'll get it on the ballot again and again until people get exhausted."

The popular TV program "Jon & Kate Plus 8" shows a dysfunctional family in its most intimate and awkward moments. Culture Warriors Margaret Hoover and Gretchen Carlson both assailed the program's appeal to public's basest instincts. "This is the Learning Channel," Hoover said, "but they should change their name to 'Tabloid TV.' These parents have no desire to be good parents, they have more desire to be famous, and they're absolutely abrogating their responsibility to their eight kids." Carlson reserved her harshest criticism for the mother, Kate Gosselin: "The woman has taken this whole thing too far - apparently she loves the fame and the husband does not, and they're choosing money over the betterment of their children." The Factor condemned the network, the producers, the parents, and the viewers who tune in every week: "I hate this stuff. There is nothing good about acting out your private moments on television. The young children don't know what's going on, but every kid they'll ever run into knows exactly what's happening. This is cruel to the children."

The far-left web site Media Matters complimented The Factor for correcting two viewers' misconceptions about ACORN: The Factor's Check: "This is unbelievable. Media Matters pretty much slimes me on a daily basis, but they said I did a good job. Check wonders what Media Matters feels about our investigation into ACORN's money trail."

Tuesday's Patriot: The indomitable Mr. T, who sang the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Chicago's Wrigley Field. And the Pinhead: Former teacher and convicted child abuser Mary Kay Letourneau, who hosted an event called "Hot for Teacher" night at a Seattle bar.

Dave Smithers, Chico, CA: "Bill, you are a hypocrite talking about the hateful left when you hate the ACLU. Admit it."

Bruce Radcliffe, Morris, IN: Bill, Laura Ingraham's analysis on Obama at Notre Dame was right and you were wrong. You're trying too hard to put Obama in a positive light."

Jay Trawets, Fort Myers, FL: "Bill, you are fair, Laura is not. If Obama says the earth is round, Laura disagrees."

Dr. Alexandra Mark, Newport, RI: Bravo for Laura! She's right, Notre Dame is damaged forever."