Obama Praised, Pummeled on Gitmo and KSM

[ProSense]

TPM Obama Praised, Pummeled on Gitmo and KSM

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Critics in Congress of the efforts to try alleged co-conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in federal courts in New York City, including prominent New York Democrats, weren't so reticent and quickly declared victory on the divisive issue. After Holder announced his intention to try KSM in New York, Congress erupted with opponents of the plans arguing that New York would give KSM a platform to spew anti-American rhetoric and make the city a target for more terrorist attacks.

"This means with certainty that the trial will not be in New York. While not unexpected, this is the final nail in the coffin of that wrong-headed idea," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement. "I have always said that the perpetrators of this horrible crime should get the ultimate penalty, and I believe this proposal by the administration can make that happen."

Republicans said the decision was too long in the making and called on the administration to rethink it's entire detainee policy. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), a vocal critic of the administration's previous plans to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, he was glad that KSM would be treated as an enemy combatant rather than a common criminal.

"It's unfortunate that it took the Obama administration more than two years to figure out what the majority of Americans already know: that 9-11 conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is not a common criminal, he's a war criminal," Smith said in a release. "Ten years is too long to wait for justice. I hope that this trial will give some solace to the families of the victims of 9-11. And I hope the Obama administration will stop playing politics with our national security and start treating foreign terrorists like enemy combatants."

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Congressional Democrats are on the wrong side of this issue.

Steve Benen:

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Even that last sentence is awkward -- the Attorney General "changed his mind" after Congress "imposed a series of restrictions"? That's a bit like saying I changed my mind about getting up after I was tied to my chair.

Holder told reporters this afternoon that his original decision was still the right one, but blamed Congress for "tying our hands."

He happens to be right. Even today, Holder wants to do the right thing, and so does President Obama. And yet, Gitmo is open today, and KSM will be subjected to a military commission in the near future, not because of an administration that backed down in the face of far-right whining, but because congressional Republicans orchestrated a massive, choreographed freak-out, and scared the bejesus out of congressional Democrats. Together, they limited the White House's options to, in effect, not having any choice at all.

There's plenty of room for criticism of the administration, but those slamming Obama for "breaking his word" on this are blaming the wrong end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

[liberal N proud]

1. Demonstrates that Obama can do no right

Regardless of what he does, someone will attack him.

[Shiver]

2. It's kind of sad that my rec brought this up to zero.

And yet, I'm not surprised. Not anymore.

[Pirate Smile]

3. So did mine. Pathetic.

[vaberella]

4. Ugh...I'm not surprised. Thanks Congress. n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. Republicans want to keep Cheney's patsies locked up

so they can't tell