01/13/2009 01:36:16 PM EST

Will Obama Prosecute Bush Administration Crimes?

posted by redstateblueheart



If I were Barack Obama right now, what would I be saying publicly about the possibility of prosecuting Bush Administration crimes?

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Answer: As little as possible.


Consider this: George W. Bush is still in office, and thus has nearly unlimited pardon power. Let's say Obama steps out onto the front porch and starts banging the drum about how he's about to bring all the Bush Administration lawbreakers to the bar of justice. Would statements like that not simply encourage Bush to issue blanket pardons to anyone in his administration involved in these illegal activities, including Cheney and himself, as he walks out the door?


Also, would Bush and Cheney have been running around making all the dopey, self-incriminating admissions they've been making over the past few days under the shadow of such statements by Obama?


Maybe I'm giving Obama too much credit here, but it seems to me that we need to put ourselves in his shoes. Perhaps his current intentions regarding war crime prosecutions really are as vague as his public statements on the issue suggest. On the other hand, there may be good reasons for his reticence right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=yaZNFNVdp7s


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Will Obama Prosecute Bush Administration Crimes? | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
There is more than ample reason and evidence (none / 0)

by gatekeeper50 on 01/13/2009 09:29:56 PM EST

24 is fake (5.00 / 2)
Jack Bauer, who lives in a world where people get kidnapped three times in the same day, who lives in a world where people drive all the way across LA in five minutes, who lives in a world where torture works, has no business talking about "the real world."

by OneHitKill on 01/14/2009 08:44:26 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I agree with Keiths guest (none / 0)
and like the topic   Tortured Logic

Obama knows he has to do something. But what is the question I guess.

by 14K on 01/13/2009 11:23:17 PM EST

[ Parent ]
John McCain tells Kenneth (none / 0)
"I hope that we would understand, my friends, that life is not 24 and Jack Bauer."

by Spencer on 01/14/2009 08:51:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Blame (none / 0)
Obama does not wnat Bush impeached or arrested, he wants Bush to always be there, so he can blame him for everything wrong in America.

by nmaks on 01/14/2009 09:03:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Like conservatives blame Clinton? (none / 0)
9/11 happened on Bush's watch but conservatives try to blae that on Clinton

The economy collapsed on Bush's watch with a repuglican controlled congress and they try to blame that on the Democrats

Bush started a war of convenience based on lies not Clinton.

Here is a word Bush doesnt want to hear again

KATRINA

Again that happened on Bush's watch.

There is nothing wrong with blaming something on Bush that is clearly his fault.

 Buth I think Obama will have his hands full cleaning up the huge mess that Bush left behind. He wont be spending much time publicly blaming Bush for anything, but I hope he has the temerity to prosecute Bush for the crimes he committed.

I doubt he will, but an example needs to be made somehow for future administrations.

Illegal wire tapping and torture among other things are not going to be tolerated.

by 14K on 01/14/2009 09:40:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Clinton (none / 0)
First, I never said anything about Clinton, or that Bush was good.
I just said Obama blames him to make his own positions seem stronger, and now that he's president will have to start taking responsibility.

by nmaks on 01/14/2009 10:02:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You didnt have to say anything about Clinton (none / 0)
Its the typical conservative fall back .

Start taking responsibility? According to 74% of Americans, Obama is doing a fine job of taking responsibility.

by 14K on 01/14/2009 10:52:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Will he or won't he? (none / 0)

Will Obama Prosecute Bush Administration Crimes?   Of course! 

Will Obama talk about his intentions? NO! He's not that stupid. Obama's team will investigate irregularities, without planning to prosecute (heh heh) unless it's warranted.

Bush has until noon on 1/20 to pardon everyone. The investigations will go after Rove. Even if Rove is pardoned, he'll keep doing the same things. He can't help himself. It's genetic.

Bush can't pardon anyone from war crimes that can be tried in other countries. Cheney better not move to Dubai. He'll be kidnapped and beheaded. No trial.

by zenie on 01/14/2009 11:31:31 AM EST

To what end? (none / 0)
To bore people?

by 14K on 01/14/2009 09:42:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Im pretty sure (none / 0)
The European may bring Bush and co up on charges. That would severely limit Bush's travel plans.

by 14K on 01/14/2009 09:44:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]
European UNION (none / 0)
may bring Bush and co up on charges

by 14K on 01/14/2009 10:53:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Will Obama Prosecute Bush Administration Crimes? | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
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