Second Democrat Hits Obama Over Defending Bush's State Secrets Claim

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/second-democrat-hits-obama-over-defending-bushs-state-secrets-claim.php

Second Democrat Hits Obama Over Defending Bush's State Secrets Claim
By Elana Schor - February 11, 2009, 2:33PM


The Obama administration recently made the dismaying decision to defend the Bush-era Justice Department's use of the "state secrets" privilege in a lawsuit filed by alleged victims of extraordinary rendition. As TPM alum Greg reported yesterday, Sen. Russ Feingold (WI) was the first Democratic lawmaker to openly criticize the Obama DoJ's decision ... and now we have a second.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), joined by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), an Tom Petri (R-WI), just introduced a bill that would reform the state secrets privilege by requiring judges to assess whether a blanket claim of secrecy by the government is necessary to protect national security. And as he offered the bill, Nadler rightly took the opportunity to rap the Obama legal team:

The administration's decision this week to adopt its predecessor's argument that the state secret privilege requires the outright dismissal of a case challenging rendition to torture was a step in the wrong direction and a reminder that legislation is required to ensure meaningful review of the state secret privilege.

A little constructive criticism might be the best medicine for the administration in this case.

[tekisui]

1. I fully support Nadler, Conyers, Feingold and any others

who provide honest criticism on this issue. Obama can take this as an open door to change direction, here.

[babylonsister]

3. Me, too! nt

[LakeSamish706]

2. I agree, he needs to hear from people on this one.... Hope that bill passes as well. n/t

[anonymous171]

4. Well at least they are doing something about it. nt