Obama defends policies in '60 Minutes' interview

President Obama sat down with CBS's Steve Kroft for an interview that will air tonight on ''60 Minutes.'' (Aaron Tomlinson/CBS News-60 Minutes via Associated Press)

WASHINGTON - President Obama, rejecting former vice president Dick Cheney's contention that Obama has put the United States at greater risk of terrorism, suggests in an interview airing tonight on "60 Minutes" that the previous administration's stance was an "advertisement for anti-American sentiment."

"How many terrorists have actually been brought to justice under the philosophy that is being promoted by vice president Cheney?" Obama asks.

"It hasn't made us safer," Obama says. "What it has been is a great advertisement for anti-American sentiment."

Obama addresses the economy, the proposed bonus tax for companies that have collected federal bailout money, healthcare, bailouts for automakers, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, CBS says.

Cheney said on CNN on March 15 that Obama has increased the nation's risk of terrorist attacks by jettisoning elements of the Bush administration's aggressive approach.

Obama also defends his Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, against growing criticism of the government's handling of the financial crisis. Were Geithner to tender his resignation, Obama says he would tell him: "Sorry, buddy, you've still got the job."