McCain: Obama conducting a “witch hunt” on OLC lawyers
posted at 1:33 pm on April 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
John McCain fired a shot at Barack Obama today after the release of the OLC memos on interrogation prompted calls for action against the attorneys. McCain, who opposed the use of enhanced interrogation techniques and led the fight against them in Congress, warned Obama that any such pursuit would turn into a “witch hunt” aimed at the wrong people. He also warned that treating policy differences as criminal actions would turn the US into a “banana republic”:
“If you criminalize legal advice, which is basically what they’re going to do, then it has a terribly chilling effect on any kind of advice and counsel that the president might receive,” McCain said during an interview on CBS’s “Early Show.” …
McCain compared the potential prosecutions with the actions of “banana republics” that “prosecute people for actions they didn’t agree with under previous administrations.”
“To go back on a witch hunt that could last for a year or so, frankly, is going to be bad for the country, bad for future presidents — precedents that may be set by this, and certainly nonproductive in trying to pursue the challenges we face,” he said.
I’m a little surprised to see McCain leading the pushback against Obama, and it indicates just how badly Obama fumbled this issue. McCain and Obama were almost sympatico about this during the campaign, and McCain has angered his own base on numerous occasions on this topic — about which he unfortunately knows much more than the rest of us. Having McCain, of all people, accuse Obama of a witch hunt and warning of a banana republic on the torture issue is a real political blow to Obama.
As I wrote earlier, of all the people in the loop on the interrogations, the lawyers are the least culpable. They didn’t order the interrogations, and they didn’t approve them, either. People may disagree with their interpretation of the law, but all they did was offer legal advice. They may have given bad advice, but that’s not a crime.
If crimes were committed, then the pursuit would be against those who conducted the interrogations, those who ordered them, and those who winked at them while in a position to stop them. As Peter Hoekstra says, that includes a number of people on Capitol Hill. Furthermore, in order to prosecute the people who ordered the interrogations, one has to prosecute the people who conducted them, which will likely create a walkout at CIA when Obama needs them for critical missions.
Pete Abel says that a truth commission with immunity all around is the best option. Now that Obama has wreaked havoc by selectively leaking the OLC memos, it may be the least worst option, but only if we start with an honest release of all related material so that America can judge the actions and the results in full context.
Update: Fixed the repetition in the excerpt.
Update II: Just to clarify, it was my assumption that a truth commission would involve immunity all around. Pete says he’d prefer not to make that explicit, although he knows that other truth commissions have operated in that manner.
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I said the same thing last night. This is just like living in some ridiculous third-world country. I was appalled years ago over the entire Clinton witchhunt, and this appalls me equally.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:36 PM
go ahead and set the precedent Mr. Presedent, and you’d better make sure you have the best laywer that your chicago machine can pay for should you ever be dethroned
gatorboy on April 23, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Its really not a surprise to see McCain hit Obama on this. There is no way he would stand by and let the OLC lawyers take a fall.
Zaggs on April 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
This is awfully partisan. I hope he ran it by Meghan first.
Mark1971 on April 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Obama has created his own distraction from his poor handling of the economy, and the media is gobbling it up. I subscribe to NPR’s RSS feed and every third or fourth item has to do with “harsh” or “brutal” interrogation.
Dead Hand Control on April 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Now that McCain has the possibility of being dethrowned in his next election, is he now going to grow a pair?
Knucklehead on April 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Start with NANCY PELOSI to PROVE this is NOT a partisan witch hunt. That will also prove it’s not only a MALE witch hunt.
originalpechanga on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
“You don’t have to be afraid of an Obama presidency..”
-John McCain in 2008
stenwin77 on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Am I seeing double or is that highlighted excerpt repetitive?
BigD on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
The threat of this should make anyone in public service think twice. It’s not worth it. Yesterday, I read that yet another ethics charge is being filed against Sarah Palin, for leaving the state. Can you imagine?
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
But what does he think on Gay Marriage?
Firebird on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
All dissenting opinions should be illegal. Now everyone, TO THE CAMPS.
Laura in Maryland on April 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Does McCain have a problem with Obama all of a sudden!?
Well, well, well… Pigs do fly on all the pork stimulous don’t they McCain?
Mcguyver on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
No dice, Johhny- you can’t wash the blood stains of Americans off your complicit hands when the next terror strike comes.
Fletch54 on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
So we write new laws today. Then we go back and cunduct trials to enforce them for the past.
We doen’t even have new laws. we just have administrative edicts.
seven on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I believe that John McCain is angling to have Bush, Cheney, and Rice hung from the gallows. He is only defending the attorneys that ruled on the questions of interrogations be saved from the witch hunt. John McCain very rarely comes out on the ‘right’ side of an argument and I fear that Washington D.C. is going to resemble Salem, Massachusetts in the coming months and years.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Let me just head off some of the trolls who are no doubt going to jump onto this thread: Waterboarding isn’t physical torture. Reasonable minds can disagree on that, but coming in here and making blanket assertions is going to destroy your argument from the get go.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
and more importantly, how does he look in a bikini?
Laura in Maryland on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I don’t see why McCain’ suprised… anybody remember the Iran-Contra hearings?
How about the Valerie Plame outing trials?
TROOOOF!
Skywise on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I want to say this about McCain: He was the one a few years ago that popularized the anti-torture movement.
Now, he is worried about a “witch hunt” on these lawyers. I’m glad he has come out against the Obama administration. But he has some responsibility in pinning the Bush administration as torturers when they don’t torture.
jencab on April 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Lol.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
We are now witnessing the final stages of Bush Derangement Syndrome.
It’s not about waterboarding, it’s not about WMD’s & Iraq, it’s not about Katrina & New Orleans.
It is, was, and shall always be about revenge for the 2000 election, Florida & the the SCOTUS ruling.
Remember, before “Bush lied, people died” and all the rest it was “Selected, not elected.”
The Left never forgets and never forgives.
The fact that the GOP has never figured this out (I’m talking to you, Johnny Mac) is simply pathetic.
Bruno Strozek on April 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Hmm, if he wants a banana republic, I can grow a beard and go guerrilla. I mean , I was trained well…. USMC style Vietnam… be careful what you create , Obama.
MNDavenotPC on April 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Yeah, right. Obama looks at McCain and says, “Loser.”
BigD on April 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
McCain doesn’t mean it because he didn’t preface his statement with a denouncement of the Miss USA CA’s outrageous statement the other day
gatorboy on April 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
McCain seems to forget that the new leader of the republican party as anointed by the MSM is his daughter. So his opinion is not worth much today.
jencab on April 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Maybe McCain realizes that as a member of congress who was briefed (but since he’s not a democrat no matter how much he acts like one), his ass is on the chopping block. Don’t think that Pelosi and her stupid ‘truth commission’ won’t protect every democrat that learned about waterboarding in 2002-2003 but will throw every republican possible to the wolves
Defector01 on April 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
and more importantly, how does he look in a bikini?
Laura in Maryland on April 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Very old and very wrinkled. And I really did not need that image, ma’am. Yikes.
kingsjester on April 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
BadgerHawk, are you calling our host a troll?
BigD on April 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I really hate having this and other foreign operations in the news. What the CIA does is dirty. I accept that, but do not want to hear about it. I trust fellow Americans to do the job right or correct those who do not. Nothing good will come from this…unless Obama is caught covering up something.
WashJeff on April 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Look around John, the U.S. is already a “banana republic” and it’s just being itself. Furthermore, this is nothing but an Obama planned distraction from his continuing and massive rape of the U.S. treasury.
rplat on April 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I still say that proper course is to challenge Obama to go right to the top and indict Bush and Cheney. Obama won’t do it, and the issue will be dead. Demand a federal grand jury so that they can either be made to stand trial or have their names cleared.
rw on April 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
When John McCain is the ONLY Republican who steps up and hammers Obama on this….you now you have a leadership problem in the party.
Who is leading the
TitanicRepublican party?portlandon on April 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
If Comrade Obama goes through with these trials, it’s not hysterical partisan hyperbole to assume that eventually they will start talking about turning George Bush over to the ICC for a war crimes trial. If they ever seriously propose that action, this country will rightfuly explode. That will give Obama the opportunity to go Castro on conservatives.
I can’t believe what is happening in America.
lonesomecharlie on April 23, 2009 at 1:47 PM
This is why I voted Republican for the first time. I agree with John entirely.
I’m pleased to see that Obama went too far. He’s getting challenged by everyone on this issue.
Holder better think very, very carefully. He’s setting up his own group for the same thing.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:47 PM
The whole idea is this, I would bet.
Nobody really “likes” attorneys, so they thought of putting attorneys on the line to start the process. Who would complaining about attorneys being “raked” over?
Then after the attorney state, they were only parroting and confirming what “others” wanted (all it would take is one to say this), then open season on the politicians implicated (by process of discovery), or implied to be implicated…and it would be the GOP leadership.
So they thought…
Pelosi is claiming now “I know nothing”, and others will be running from this as fast as possible. And now Obama is trying to close the door he opened…but the leftists won’t let him.
He is such a fool…he thinks he is such a “chess player”, but all he is, is a “playa”.
right2bright on April 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I agree, rw……and I could easily see Bush saying exactly that if this continues.
Call Obama on this and do it publicly.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
No.
BadgerHawk on April 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Mark1971 on April 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
We have a winnna!
catmman on April 23, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Don’t bet on it for one second – McQueed will flip as fast as anyone if he sees an advantage or a way to put a stick in Bush’s eye.
Don’t believe anything he says.
jake-the-goose on April 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM
We simply do not prosecute because we change attitudes. This episode makes the shaking hands type stories pale by comparison.
I would recommend that the entire CIA decide to resign and do so publicly and with flourish.
This is time for something other than words.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Where the hell is George Bush on this – he should be out front with his own outrage.
Once again George Bush fails to lead.
Pisses me off.
jake-the-goose on April 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. McCain doesn’t like Obama because Obama defeated him for the job he really wanted. So he is going to play grumpy old man and foil all Obama’s plans for him. This is basically the same reason why he was grumpy about Bush for eight years. McCain sees everything in terms of his personal honor and Obama insulted his personal honor, so he is going to make Obama’s life miserable for the next four years.
Illinidiva on April 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
All Hail Obama!
All Hail the State!
Bevan on April 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Bush may well have to speak, jake. This crosses the line.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
McCain was consistent on this issue, so you’re idea, Ill simply doesn’t line up with the record.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Please let’s have these hearings!
drjohn on April 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I seriously doubt Obama or any of his ‘staff’ worry about missions the CIA should, or will be doing.
I think he’s more interested in not being blamed for America’s past transgressions.
The simple fact that lawyers have to be involved in what an operative might be doing how many miles away is the stupid part of all of this.
Badger40 on April 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM
All it shows is the utter lack of leadership in the Republican Party today.
As for the “political blow to Obama”… you are assuming that John McCain’s liberal Republicanism has built him a gigantic reservoir of support with the public and/or the media. Nothing could be further from the truth.
logis on April 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I hope you are right Ann – GW should be damn angry and he should break his (appropriate till now) silence and speak loud and clear.
jake-the-goose on April 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I’m far more liberal than a lot of those who post here, and I’m even worried about that pirate being too young.
But sorry, I just thought the memo outlined a lot less than I had imagined in terms of harsh treatment.
If I had that reaction, I rather expect a large number of Americans will also go, “Why is this worth prosecution?”
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Anyday now I’m expecting to see Obama step up to the microphones wearing a colonel’s hat and mirrored glasses.
This is Tinpot Despot territory.
kevinkristy on April 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Alright let’s get started. Indict everybody even remotely connected with this fiasco and begin the inquisition. Don’t tarry you fools, let’s completely destroy this once great nation and turn it into a “banana republic” reject. We’ve been consumed by insanity and stupidity and there is no turning back.
rplat on April 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I’m trying to get my head around why they released the legal documents at this time since this admin appears to be very calculating…what end are they hoping to achieve? How do they think this plays well into their hands politically because that is the only motivation for them in everything they do…
RepubChica on April 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I would expect he will, Jake, if Holder goes forward. Frankly, he’ll have to be deposed.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I sure don’t buy the idea that Politico posited, Republic….that he didn’t anticipate the reaction.
I call BS on that.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:59 PM
You can believe that there is a lot of hand-wringing going on right now in the walls of that building.
It’s a narrow path, though. Put yourself in their shoes – should I resign and let someone else, someone untrained and unfamiliar with current intel trends, take the watch against our enemies?
This whole situation puts those who serve in a very tight spot. Those memos should never have been released, Mr. President.
Otis B on April 23, 2009 at 1:59 PM
There is another option: impeach Barak Obama.
pabarge on April 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM
+100
That would definately send a message, Ann.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM
That’s why they frankly should do it in mass, Otis. And they better get practical. What good is any job if you’re going to spend up to a million in legal fees?
They need to orchestrate it for safety. I’m serious. They should stick together on this and absolutely refuse to be scapegoated quietly.
That’s a real labor move, btw…..and a very legitimate one.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
What irritates me in all this is that the CIA are afraid to act on anything right now.
So if plots are being hatched right now or in the future, we will have no info to stop them. Thanks Bambi!
becki51758 on April 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Does this mean that Palin can throw Obama, Gibbs, Pelosi, Reid, etc. in jail in 2013?
faraway on April 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Soros is sending out emails and collecting signatures on petitions http://commissiononaccountability.org/ . . . now whom do you believe is the driving force behind Obama and his regime?
rplat on April 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
This will perhaps open the door for future administrations to start prosecuting past administrations for differences of policy or attitude. If it happens, the next Republican/Conservative PotUS should put all of the Dems on trial for their misconduct with the nation’s treasures, moving the country into socialism (thus circumventing the Constitution in protecting the rights of individuals) and their corruption with all things pork-tastic.
They want a witch hunt, they’ll sure reap what they sow…their side of the aisle has a lot of witches and warlocks to burn at the stake.
Geministorm on April 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I’m far more liberal than a lot of those who post here, and I’m even worried about that pirate being too young.
But sorry, I just thought the memo outlined a lot less than I had imagined in terms of harsh treatment.
If I had that reaction, I rather expect a large number of Americans will also go, “Why is this worth prosecution?”
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
My personal feelings on your comment are that this isn’t being done, because of anything being criminal. It’s a mere scheme to score political points. I agree with Ed on an earlier thread. Obama really didn’t expect this to explode the way it has. Now he has to do damage control, without looking like he mucked it up. Pretty much, an impossible task, in my opinion.
capejasmine on April 23, 2009 at 2:05 PM
They’ll stick together by slow rolling it, but that means our security will decrease. No one will take chances on making assessment calls based on minimal evidence, and eventually something bad will happen because of it.
That’s what makes this mess such a frightening and sickening turn of events. The President should understand how this affects our national security, but for political reasons, safety is being trumped.
Otis B on April 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
There might be some grassroots support for this viewpoint, but for lawyers themselves (one of the Democrat Party’s most powerful special interest groups) this is a HUGE deal.
No lawyer – even one to the left of Chairman Mao – wants to see the attorney-client privilege revoked. Without that, basically there would no longer be any lawyers.
Of course, as Shakespear said, getting rid of all the lawyers is a necessary step in destroying any free society. But it seems that Obama is moving much faster than anyone expected him to.
logis on April 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Well, alot of this is the result of the witchhunt on Clinton. My argument remains: Stop the insanity!
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
How do they think this plays well into their hands politically because that is the only motivation for them in everything they do…
RepubChica on April 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Are you under the assumption that anyone in the Obowa regime is thinking critically? They are being barraged by a leftist base that wants Dubya’s head on a platter regardless of how the process will harm the nation, and they have decided to listen.
The entire bunch is so clueless, so utterly deceived by the fawning media-whore attention they received during the campaign, that they actually believe no one will question their actions or motives.
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Amen, logis. And they are definitely not a quiet group of workers. Nothing like finance guys. They are already chattering like mad on radio and educating people on the legal issues involved.
Obama has opened a can of worms, for sure.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:07 PM
No one prosecuted Truman for the atomic bomb or Lincoln for suspending habeus corpus.
This is Obama trying to appease Soros and the leftys.
becki51758 on April 23, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I agree, Bishop. It’s that “We won, get over it, attitude.’
It’s permeates this administration AND the base.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:08 PM
onlineanalyst on April 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM
+1
But then he’ll be subject to the same course once his term is up. That’s why I don’t think he’ll do it. That, and we’re still at war and there are still terrorists to be caught and when they all know they wont be harmed in any way while in our hands they won’t cooperate one iota and then we’re even more at risk. I doubt Obama wants the US to be attacked on his watch. He’s got some big decisions to make.
scalleywag on April 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM
They need to take a step further, Otis. I read that article about slow-rolling, too. But this better be more visible.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM
We don’t need no stinkin’ “truth commission.”
Seriously…what would be the whole purpose of engaging in that sort of thing?
It would be similar to the “9/11 Commission” that resulted in a lot of changes to government, and our lives, and a lot of culpable persons in Congress and the previous Administration being able to walk away without a smudge or wrinkle on their reputations…but it never did allow any of the witnesses nor testimony to address the actual, very real, causes for our being asleep at the switch on 9/11…
A “truth commission” or even public hearings about EIT’s would only serve two purposes…to attempt to distance the Obama Administration and his supporters from any culpability from anything the happened prior to January 2009…and would serve to paint anyone who supported the WOT or the Iraq War or any other Bush policy as a criminal, if not in the legal sense, then in the moral sense…
And perhaps a third…and this one is probably most salient…such would result in our disclosing way too much information to the rest of the world who have no actual need to know any of it…one does not run intelligence operations, nor engage in actual national security issues by broadcasting to the rest of the world our means, our methods, our intent and who is doing what to whom.
Let’s just give the President’s “football” to China and Moscow to play with…why have codes and go orders anyway. let’s be open and honest with them and they will reciprocate, as will the rest of the world.
But, a “truth commisison” would help Obama, since, if you look at the first through third tier at the White House, there are a lot of Clintonista’s on the payroll…and even Hillary is not immune for her vocal support for regime change in Iraq, and going to war in Iraq, all of which is on the record, but a “truth commission” could easily wallpaper over that inconvenience, and others.
BDS is still alive, and so long as the Obama Administration can keep the Bush strawman alive in the minds of the voters…Obama wins.
But seeking truth about EIT’s…or our treatment of detainees, or anything else…such a “truth commission” won’t even get into the ballpark regarding truth…let alone first base.
coldwarrior on April 23, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Obama should go back and prosecute FDR for locking up all those Japanese right after Pearl Harbor.
faraway on April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Soros and the rest of the Far Left Loons are definitely in Obama’s ear. One of Obama’s problems, as evidenced in the first 100 days, is that he underestimates the patriotism of the American people. He seems to be listening to the Beltway Elite and the Left Coast Loons and forgetting about the rest of America.
kingsjester on April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Unintended Consequences: Now every
terroristman-made disaster maker man in Gitmo knows that if they can endure two hours in the small box or 8 hours in the large box, they don’t have to reveal any information, and the caterpillar is harmless.So they don’t tell us anything about new plots, and we don’t find out about them until something goes boom in a big city. Then, waterboarding of man-made disaster maker men will have 80% popular support.
Obama crosses his fingers and HOPEs that won’t happen.
Steve Z on April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I’m seeing pretty consistent messages on this issue, online. It’s just too clear. This doesn’t require heroes or personalities. The issue speaks for itself.
Cheney was right to challenge Obama to release ALL the information, including the results.
Make fun of him, whatever, but he’s clearly aware of what’s going on and he’s not made this easy at all.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
That’s all well and good in your little fantasy world, but in the real world, McCain has been practically bending over backwards to support Obama. In fact, I’m betting many of us on the far right (besides myself) were thinking that McCain was just trying to get a post on the Obama administration and was acting practically sycophantic…and yet, here you are telling us that reality is wrong and you’re right…the right is just racist and full of hatred and wants to get even with anyone that isn’t white…
Welcome to HotAir Janeane Garaflo.
Geministorm on April 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
All I’m saying is this puts the people who work for our intel agencies in a tight spot. Sure, they could all quit, but then where would the country be?
I understand from where you are coming as well, though. It’s really unbelievable to me that this is happening.
Otis B on April 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Isn’t claiming a black man is turning the US into a ‘banana republic’ racist? Should McCain resign for making such a ‘racist’ statement against the first African American President of the US?
eaglewingz08 on April 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Please, please, please keep pushing this, Dems! Show how you knew ALL about it and are just now acting outraged. Show how it saved an attack on L.A.! I can’t wait for you all to get voted out of office!
John the Libertarian on April 23, 2009 at 2:14 PM
They need to call him on it. He’s destroying their effectivity anyway.
Frankly, they are at that point of no return with him. They can’t do their jobs anyway.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:14 PM
I’ve got a personal stake in this part.
My hope is that the so-called “silent majority” will wake up in time to slap some sense into everybody else.
Otis B on April 23, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Shhh! Don’t give dear leader any ideas.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Cheney is a smart guy – he sees things pretty clearly, from where I sit.
Otis B on April 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Good for McCain, he might have been bad on some of the same issues as Dear Leader, but he would have been more fair.
Oh, and there was no “witchhunt on Clinton”, he was found guilty of perjury was he not? He did have sex with that woman in the Oval office did he not?
kirkill on April 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Shhhhhh…….don’t give the Pantywaste any more ideas.
Knucklehead on April 23, 2009 at 2:17 PM
And it would be awesome if several Democrat Congressmen went down with them, starting with Reid and Pelosi!
kirkill on April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
EO 9066 imprisoned American citizens.
Imprison a couple of terrorists, and you are a war criminal. Imprison tens of thousands of Americans, and you are a liberal icon.
rw on April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Now that I think of it, these clowns on the Hard Left seem to be envisioning some kind of A Few Good Men scenario in which they hope to get Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al. on the witness stand with the expectation of having them scream, “Your damn right I ordered the waterboarding!”
I saw someone today report something with which I tend to agree. About a third of the country is fine with the waterboarding–count me among them. Another third is uneasy with it and would probably like to see it ended, but they rationalize it under the circumstances. The remaining third are adamantly opposed and demand the witchhunt. The problem for Obama–though he’s dumped it on Holder–is that the uneasy middle third has no interest in the witchhunt. They’ll stomach a 9/11-type commission, but no legal consequences for anyone–only a change in policy.
If there’s a witchhunt, I can’t see a House Democrat in any district other than the deep blue ones surviving the 2010 election. The GOP candidate could simply run on fiscal conservatism, national security, and opposition to the kooks in power.
BuckeyeSam on April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Well, this is the response to that action, kirkill. You know full well that many, many Democrats saw that as nothing short of politics of personal destruction at its worse.
Guess what. So is this.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Are you under the assumption that anyone in the Obowa regime is thinking critically?
Bishop on April 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Never that, Bish…I’m just wondering what poll Axelrod Inc. looked at that said the American public wants to hold someone or something in the Bush admin accountable for the “torture” that took place under his watch…it can’t be the whining of a few libtards from the base, can it? Is it really that simple an explanation?
RepubChica on April 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Great minds, Knucklehead. Great minds.
HornetSting on April 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I personally think the fallout will be far deeper than just the CIA. I don’t think anyone with half a brain would ever hazard public service jobs again with this precedent set.
Everyone, not just the security people, are mulling over careers right now.
It’s going to be a mass exudus.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Mavericky!
KS Rex on April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Clinton’s witchhunt happened because of Clinton’s extracurricular activities, which, had same activities been performed by any corporate CEO, whould have resulted in that CEO’s ouster for “hitting on the hired help”, which the Democrats themselves wrote laws long ago making illegal.
This stuff is far worse. We have people following the rules, getting advice, and the advice says, according to our own laws, that this is not torture. That advice, given the stated laws, seems correct, if somewhat counter-intuitive, since the laws about torture talk about “long term” physical and mental harm.
While “Clinton’s witch hunt” puts a crimper on the Commander-in-Chief’s libedo, this “Bush’s witch hunt” puts a crimper on the correct functioning of our government. There is really no comparison.
unclesmrgol on April 23, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I disagree, uncles. Totally disagree. I think, further, that Palin is now the target of similar tactics.
It’s ugly stuff.
AnninCA on April 23, 2009 at 2:21 PM
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