President-elect Barack Obama said this weekend that he does not expect to close Guantanamo Bay in his first 100 days in office.
“I think it’s going to take some time and our legal teams are working in consultation with our national security apparatus as we speak to help design exactly what we need to do,” Obama said in an exclusive “This Week” interview with George Stephanopoulos, his first since arriving in Washington.
“It is more difficult than I think a lot of people realize,” the president-elect explained.
Now there’s something you can believe in.
And don’t forget, it is hard to “do” when all you have “done” is voted “present”.
I want to see millions of replicas of Harry Truman’s “The Buck Stops Here” desk tag sent to the White House after Jan 20. I don’t care how many Clintonistas are between him and his responsibilities. The buck does stop at his desk, and ONLY his desk.
So is that kind of like “The more things change, they more they …” ? ?
Perhaps the same thing will happen with changing NAFTA. Funny how things are always more difficult/complicated than many would like to believe.
Guantanamo Bay is more than a holding facility for combatants encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the single best defense we have against uncontrolled mass migration from Haiti and the wider Caribbean.
He’s so good at talking. Too bad talking is not “doing.”
This might be a fun, but very long 4 years.
The well fitting empty suit is in for some stuffing.
The big change in his life after he takes office will be the umber of hours he spends in the gym per day. The only jobs he’s had have been ones that do not check the amount of health club usage during working hours.
Pretty funny to see how sore you guys still are about getting your asses kicked on Nov 4.
Its going to be a very long 4 years for all of us. Particularly for one empty suit Senator from Chicago. I think he already sees he’s in over his head. Well over his head. Applies to most of those he is appointing as well. Their party has bollixed things so much that none of the snake oil that party pushes will have anything other than a negative effect.
edited user name. never mind
Graham,
If you gave so much as a bucket of warm spit for these United States, you, too, would be upset at the results of this last presidential election.
The low end of the electorate gene pool, assisted by, in all likelihood, sham ballots and illegal fund raising, voted into the nations highest office a man who cares for nothing not named Barack Obama.
In the interests of civility, I’ll leave it at that. However, I will say that anyone who can honestly and openly rejoice in the election of that Senator from Illinois is a perfect example of the need for voting reform, beginning with intelligence tests and proof of citizenship and residence.
Yeah, we’re all just heartsick.
In consolation, we keep looking forward to seeing the folks who’d convinced themselves that Bush was Hitler re-incarnate find a way to wrap their noodles around the notion that nothing will really change. Not Guantanamo, not FISA, not Patriot Act – and a Surge for Afghanistan.
Don’t worry, Graham – you’ve been a part of something important. Really you have!
Let’s hope Graham doesn’t get to be part of something even more important.
Like a terrorist WMD attack that Obama let slip through the cracks.
I’m more worried about the Zero’s animus against American normal people (and me) who own guns in these here States. I betcha the only two business sectors which have made out like bandits since he got elected are alcohol, and firearms. Dunno about tobacco.
Explosives? Well, I got me a sack of flour here, just for scientific demonstrations……
Tim, don’t you think it’s funny how people, on either side, think voters are idiots for electing the other guy, but don’t say a word when these same idiots elect THEIR guy?
Like Lex said, change, if any, will come slowly, if at all. We elected a president, not a king. Everyone should take a deep breath and chill out.
Graham:
Yeah I’m sick but not for the reason you probably think. I’m sick there wasn’t a better articulation by the candidates running of the dangers facing this nation and the gravity of the choices we all must face and support. I’m sick of the patronizing blather from those who, by their snide comments, demonstrate their feelings of superiority as they continue to heap abuse, ignoring the threats that have very real potential to lead us into further conflicts that will make the sacrifices borne so far, largely out of the consciousness of those heaping the abuse it until it serves their agenda of vitriol toward America, seem like the proverbial walk in the park.
I hold no animosity toward the President. He was elected, in large part, because the party I supported have failed to articulate in a manner that the electorate could identify with, the sacrifices necessary to protect this thing called freedom we enjoy; the duty we all have as citizens to make to “bear any burden, etc.” to quote one of the new President’s party who, as evidenced by those words, got it.
I am heartened, however, by the pragmatic choices the President-elect is making in his choices announced so far. I only wish his candor as to the difficult choices in matters such as to how to deal with issues such as the detainees at Guantanmo had been more evident prior to November. As to his supporters in the new Congress – so far their actions speak louder than any words I could possibly add. It will take a strong constitution (personal one) for Obama to stand up to their demonstrated predilection for short-sighted actions with much potential for grave long-term harm. The very real threat caused by the financial mess (thinking Freddie and Fannie here thank you Senator Dodd and Congressman Frank) are noting if we do not face up to and deal with the threat of millions of deaths a nuclear capable Iran will represent.
Yeah I’m been over the election – now will your team get serious?
Lex … just to offer a discouraging note of realism here. Don’t count on the Bush Derangement folks admitting they were wrong. Any time people get so deeply invested in a wrong headed idea like that, they can’t back down when reality proves them wrong. It would destroy their own self -esteem, and they’ll fight like tigers to protect their self-esteem, groundless though it may actually be.
Marianne
As Instapundit would say, “heh.”
I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
What Michelle, Tim and Marianne say! The “Obamanation” people literally cannot admit the reality that BHO now faces and the decisions he is making as a result of seeing things from a different perspective.
Marianne hits it on the head when she says these folks were so committed, dedicated and invested that it’s their own self-esteem at stake. If they were to admit the error of their judgment, their world would be over-come by the truth… and we know how well they can’t do that from the campaign itself. People like Graham are simply still in denial of the way things are.
Perhaps Obama will erect some Greek pillars at the Guantanamo gates and call it good.
Graham,
May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it’s the wrong one.
And Cap’n, thanks for the help.
Browncoats forever!
I’m just wondering how long the O’s honeymoon with the MSM is going to last? I’m willing to bet less than six months.
Graham, most unfortunate that you think the election was like a football contest instead of being about the future of our (your?) country.
Maybe when (if) Obama matures enough to realize that many, many of the Bush administration’s policies that he so vociferously and stridently (and dishonorably, one could argue) opposed and criticized from the sidelines actually were effective and quite possibly the best choice from a collection of bad options, he will be man enough to publicly apologize to President Bush for his immature posturing.
I doubt it, somehow.
MSM is already starting to cook their stories, and we should see them by mid-summer.
As for the Obamanites, some have already got going the mantra that the Chosen One’s enemies are already sabotaging his efforts to institute change.
Kind of along the lines of what Marianne said, a conversational fragment that I got caught it for a brief moment: “He’ll never have a chance with his stimulus package because ‘they’ are going to make sure it won’t work. ” “Care to share any specifics on that, Doll?” “Oh, there you go again. You’re just not listening!” “Ahhh. Awful habit of mine. So sorry.” “Bush won’t let him succeed!” “But, isn’t Bush out on the 20th?” “What’s that to do with anything?” “Hmm. See your point.”…or not…
Meanwhile, checking the food stores, fuel, generator, and other essentials…for the coming storm(s), ya know…
My thoughts…. regarding honeymoon periods.
CBS’s lead line on the Sunday evening news:
“Obama is ‘Re-Calibrating’ some of his campaign promises”.
The truth will eventually be told.
Interesting, how a blog that prides itself on a “civilized” discussion immediately pounces on someone for voicing an opposition comment.
What I find really astounding is that Obama is doing what most of you want, and he still gets no credit for it.
If you had watched Obama’s interview closely this morning he was clear on the need to close GTMO and soon-while he was not going to let himself get tied down to an arbitrary time line. Sounds pretty presidential if you ask me.
He was also clear that “advanced interrogation” needs to cease-but at the same time acknowledged that homeland security was job one. That is very consistent with what he said on the campaign trail. He’s also learned the lesson from the Clinton years not go get sidetracked on someone else’s agenda.
The key issue that he has never waivered about is that the current incumbent should never have put us in this position to begin with, by trying to circumvent the rule of law to begin with. We could have left them in the country they were captured in and avoided this problem entirely. They could have been tried and convicted-via a whole lot of means that are 100% legal.
In contrast to Bush, there’s something refreshing about the prospect of an intellectually engaged president who absorbs a wide range of views and takes responsibility for his subsequent actions. God knows Bush won’t.
And its not “deranged” to think that.
Skip, honestly: Do you believe that “Pretty funny to see how sore you guys still are about getting your asses kicked on Nov 4.” deserves some sort of civil, considered response? And for my own part, I’ll wait to pass judgment on the president-elect’s “subsequent actions” once he’s actually had any.
You apparently believe that characterizing W’s actions as criminal while running for election and then turning around and repudiating those characterizations once elected is inherently ennobling, thoughtful and refreshing. In that we differ.
I actually happen to think Obama is being sensible. I just happen to savor watching those who drank his bathwater and thought it champagne wake up with a hangover.
Who put a bee up your ass?
Skippy/
Are you a disciple of the Red Queen? Talk about thinking impossible things before breakfast. No “advanced interrogation” techniques, but security is simultaneously “job 1?” I note your lack of caps for “JOB#1″–an oversight I’m sure.
As for trying the detainees in other countries, well, I’m not necessairly opposed to that–but I’ve got a real mental picture of the international uproar that would ensue were they to be tried in countries whose judicial standards are, shall we say, less than ACLU approved, and sentenced to death on the one-hand; and alternatively the domestic explosion if some of the worst were found innocent in a farcial whitewash, and were pictured exiting the court-room grinning, shouting “Death to America!” on the other. Not exactly an easy line to walk, IMO.
And speaking of taking responsibility for actions, Obama is the equivalent of a greased weasel playing twister. Exactly HOW many people has he thrown under the bus to date? I lost track after the Big Three–His Minister, Grandmother, and oh yea, you know, the unrepentant “Communist with a small ‘c’ ” terrorist ” some guy in the neighborhood” Ayers? And then we have the sight of him lately nominating an AG who was instrumental in pardoning Puerto Rican terrorists? PLUS one of America’s most wanted fugitives in Marc Ritch? THAT signals responsibility and maturity? And we’re supposed to sit here eatin’ that shit with a spoon? I think this little Indian will pass…..
Marc “Rich” Sorry, “spell check is my friend, but I don’t visit her often enough,” as someone over on Samizdata has said yesterday.
As I have said many times on the intartubez, I prolly need to quit drinking, to preserve what’s left of my health.
However, people keep electing scary badass criminals to public offices, and I tellya, I wanna be numb when the consequences of that come home, numb, I tellya!
If I have to put up with the oncoming Obama administration while sober, well, I’ll be under this table, here, curled up in fetal position, rocking and flapping and chewing on wrist.
And head-banging.
And I’m not really all that autistic.
It’s just that that guy really gets on my last nerve, so to speak
Another long winded post.
What impressed me most about Bush the younger was his integrity. When a crap weasel former friend/mentor released the tapes he made of a number of calls Bush and he had shared over the years it was immediately apparent to me that Bush, in private, clearly put into practice and believed what he spoke in public. Obama, not so much. He said anything necessary to get elected and has spent the last 2 months repudiating much of what he said publicly.
You know Skippy, I sometimes look to the comments to see what you have to say. This time you have favored me with a much “Skippy-San” comment.
“What I find really astounding is that Obama is doing what most of you want, and he still gets no credit for it.”
While I do not give him credit, I sure feel some relief… Do you not understand that what Obama is saying is in exact opposition to his campaign rhetoric? He wanted to close Gitmo, pull everyone out of the middle east, barring bombing Pakistan, IMMEDIATELY… People were waving flags and shouting at the top of their lungs for him on this premise…
Now, he wants us to know that closing Gitmo is more complicated than one might think… He needs to keep the head of the defense dept there; after all we are involved in two wars… If he did what he said he would do we wouldn’t be involved in ANY wars as of 1/20/09. Hence, no need to keep any of the “war mongers” in their posts.
I could burn up quite a bit of band width in a rebuttal to “why are you guys so upset”… If you don’t get it then, I guess you just don’t get it.
While I, too, am mortified by the election of a Chicago Machine Democrat to be President, I also want to give the man a fair chance. Like our Gracious Host, and many of you here, I advocate patience. His record to date makes all of us born in August of 1961 look bad, but perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised. For now, I shall watch from the entrance to the Badger’s Burrow, and wait.
Skippy –
That has worked amazingly well.
Hell Badger, he makes all of us born, even in August 1941, look bad. He’s tainted the month forever. lol.
Get ‘em while they’re hot! Everyone is going to want an
Obama Lied, Kozkids Cried
bumper sticker.
No Slack. None for him nor those who elected him.
I believe PEBO has realized very quickly that the statement above applies to the whole enchilada. That it’s not all glamorous flying and speeches to adoring hordes. That it’s actual – gasp – work.
Something he’s not all that familiar with.
I do want to give him the benefit of the doubt and time to show us what he’s got. I just don’t have alot of confidence that what he has to show us is any different that what’s he’s done already.
Especially when you read the transcripts of that Stephanopolous interview and hear him say that everyone will have to make sacrifices for the greater good, that everyone will need to have skin the game.
That’s not a democracy or even a republic – that’s socialism and it’s no surprise if anyone listened, really and truly listened, to what he had to say all thru the campaign.
Interesting 4 years indeed.
According to CNN 15 min ago, “Obama to close Gitmo prison quickly” according to two officials. In response to the negative press, of course.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/12/obama.gitmo/index.html
So…which is it?
Shifty, read a little closer. Even if he ordered the closing on the 20th, it is clear the actual closure would be at some nebulous date somewhat farther in the distance. Since the first thing they’ll start with is a review of each detainee’s status. Like that’s never been done…