Botched Times Square Bombing at Center of Boehner-Pelosi Battle

A war of words broke out on Capitol Hill Thursday over what accounted for the failure of the attempted bombing in Times Square.

House Minority Leader John Boehner accused the Obama administration of lacking a real strategy to fight terror at home or around the globe.

"We have been lucky, but luck is not an effective strategy for fighting terrorism," Boehner said. "This is a nation at war.

"The Obama administration has spoon-fed the American people with bland reassurances, saying this was a 'one-off' and a 'lone wolf.' This is the rhetoric of an administration that continues to operate without a real, comprehensive plan to confront and defeat the terrorist threat."

In response to Boehner's comments, which were the harshest of any elected Republican official since the attempted attack, Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected the accusation that luck was the reason for the plot's failure.

"Oh please, please," she said. "The harder we work the luckier we get, and I think that's sort of the point. I don't think anyone accused them [Republicans] of getting lucky when the millennium plot [for various bombings] was foiled 10 years ago."

The speaker explained her belief that vigilant citizens are one part of the administration's comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism, which goes hand in hand with law enforcement.

"Are we fortunate in our country to have vigilant, community-minded people? Yes. Is that luck? It's good fortune for our country," she said, adding, "I think it would be important for us (in Congress) to close ranks to protect the American people. It is our first responsibility."