I think that some Dems are being drawn into this right wing/media talking point.
When the Repubs and fawning media use this framing, it is a win for them.
Implicit in saying that America is "safer but not safe" is that the status quo is the right course and those in charge (the Repub party) are doing a good job and that they just need more time to keep staying the course.
When Dems are asked that question, we often answer with this: "Well, in some ways we are. Or, "it depends on how you look at it" etc. and then comes the vague and/or equivocating answer.
These are the WRONG answers.
The correct answer is this:
"NO!!!" We are not safer and I'll tell you why....(then go into the wrong decision on Iraq, the incompetent management of that decision, creating ill world around the world, more terrorists, not spending our money wisely on American soil instead of in Iraq to SECURE OUR BORDERS - moderates and indys love that one - etc.)

We must always remember the short attention span of Americans and what they TAKE AWAY from any interview is usually the first thing they hear and not much else.

So, lather, rinse, repeat.
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!
This REpublican adminstration and REpublican Congress has NOT MADE US SAFER!

(The RE-publican is used because they always RE-peat their SAME MISTAKES RE-peatedly!).