Posted on 06/03/2014 7:43:02 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
On Sunday, Senator Claire McCaskill gave a full-throated defense of the president's decision to release five Taliban commanders from the Guantanamo prison in exchange for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. "We saved this man's life. The commander-in-chief acted within his constitutional authority, which he should have done," McCaskill, a Democrat from Missouri, told Fox News host Chris Wallace. "I'm very proud that we have no POWs left in Afghanistan and the president should be proud of it also."
But following multiple reports that Bergdahl deserted his post and soldiers died searching for him, McCaskill will no longer say she still supports the deal she was "very proud" of just 48 hours ago. "I'm not going to comment until I look at the brief," an annoyed McCaskill told THE WEEKLY STANDARD. "I'm not going to comment until I look at the brief," she repeated, referring to a classified briefing senators will receive tomorrow.
McCaskill was not alone in her reluctance to support the deal. More than a dozen Democratic senators questioned by TWS Tuesday afternoon declined to defend it. "I just don't know enough about it. I really don't," said Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
"It's very disturbing," said Joe Manchin of West Virginia. "Everything you hear. I'm going to reserve judgment until after we have a secured briefing tomorrow."
"You know, I think, um, let me hold off on that," said Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
"All I've heard is what I've read in the press," said Vermont's senior senator Pat Leahy.
"I don't have enough information at this point in time," said Jon Tester of Montana. "I do think getting our boys back home, that's a good quality. I do have some issues about whether [Bergdahl] deserted or not."
"I need to know more about the law," Tester added when asked if the president broke the law by not giving Congress 30 days notice that the Gitmo detainees would be released.
"Everything affects the calculus," said Carl Levin of Michigan. "It's an excruciating decision the president has to make, that decision as to whether he would do it. Would you use a nuclear weapon to get back a soldier? I mean, no."
"It depends on all the facts and circumstances of the case," Levin added. "I'm not going to give you a conclusion in the case because I don't know all the circumstances."
Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York declined to comment when asked if it was a good deal. In addition, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Chris Coons of Delaware, and Mark Begich of Alaska said they're reserving judgment.
The only senator who explicitly supported the deal on Tuesday was Majority Leader Harry Reid. "I'm glad to get rid of these five people," Reid said during his press conference, referring to the Taliban commanders. "Guantanamo has been there far too l ong. And I think we should get them out of there as quick as we can. We've been held up from doing that by Republicans."
Reid said he would support an open Senate hearing on Bergdahl and that the president didn't break the law by failing to provide notification to Congress that he would be releasing five Gitmo detainees. "I've been told no, he did not violate the law," Reid said, without identifying the person who told him that.
When O’ when will Carl Levin retire and leave what remains of Michigan alone!!?? I thought for a nanosecond that we had got rid of crusty old Conyers, but Noooooo, my guess is that some ‘judge’ has accepted a check with a very large number on it.
The Jurassic Age continues in Michigan, but it is slowing melting away.
What does that tell you about abominable votes and decisions they have made the last 6 years, affecting a couple of hundred million US taxpayers and trillions$?
Obummer was simply trying to take the VA scandal out of limelight. I know Obummer like the back of my hand since I lived on south side of Chicago for many years.
WHy else would they do it now? This exchange has been talked about for 2+ years. Obummer did not free the Taliban commanders before because even democrats were against it.
MAD Magazine deserves a Medal of Freedom Award! After what? 50 years? Still poking a stick into the eye of The Establishment!
The ‘Rats realizing that Obama has sold them out again
Hmmmmm?
Who believes Obama’s people will give an accurate account of Bergdahl’s disappearance & activities while with the Taliban, as well as US actions to secure his “release”?
Keep in mind that this administration routinely lies about everything of substance. Perhaps Susan Rice will give the briefing.
Did Bergdahl willingly return or was he forced to return to US custody?
No. This is called fake outrage, & it is all the Rats will do about Obama’s crimes. After November, you wont hear the fake outrage again until 2016.
the tide may be turning shortly!
Just a brilliant graphic counterattack rapidly delivered.
Many thanks for posting.
“eap....of illogic”
Booud it be an event in the Next Russian Olympics
Here’s the MAD magazine page, dubbed “Bowe and Arrows Dept.”
LOL! There’s a bigger image there.
Http://www.madmagazine.com/blog/2014/06/03/barack-obamas-unfortunate-new-movie
Those that do FB and twitter might snag and post some of the comments.
Hilarious!
I know people tend to think of MAD as left-wing but they’ve always taken shots at politically-correct sacred cows.
I read somewhere recently (to my amazement) that the original and brilliant editor, Bill Gaines, was a Republican who would get annoyed at the leftie slant.
The comments section is very funny. Readers are demanding the release of Private Alfred E. Neumann.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.