Posted on 01/28/2009 1:18:43 PM PST by mojito
President Obama's choice to run the Justice Department has assured senior Republican senators that he won't prosecute intelligence officers or political appointees who were involved in the Bush administration's policy of "enhanced interrogations."
Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, Missouri Republican and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said in an interview with The Washington Times that he will support Eric H. Holder Jr.'s nomination for attorney general because Mr. Holder assured him privately that Mr. Obama's Justice Department will not prosecute former Bush officials involved in the interrogations program.
Mr. Holder's promise apparently was key to moving his nomination forward. Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 17-2 to favorably recommend Mr. Holder for the post. He is likely to be confirmed by the Senate soon.
Mr. Bond also said that Mr. Holder told him in a private meeting Tuesday that he will not strip the telecommunications companies that cooperated with the National Security Agency after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks of retroactive legal immunity from civil lawsuits -- removing another potential sticking point among GOP senators.
In the interview Wednesday, Mr. Bond said, "I made it clear that trying to prosecute political leaders would generate a political firestorm the Obama administration doesn't need."
He added: "I was concerned about previous statements he made and others had made. He gave me assurances that he would not take those steps that would cause major disruptions in our intelligence system or cause political warfare. We don't need that kind of political warfare. He gave me assurances he is looking forward."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
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I think you can make that argument, but I don’t think these folks are under the impression that they have silenced anyone. They haven’t pacified anyone. I don’t think that was their motivation.
It’s a premise. That may or may not be all it is. I lean toward not, but what the hey.
Yeah... I don’t see how he can promise that. If they define water board etc as torture and torture is illegal how can he make a blanket promise to not prosecute? That not that different than picking some other crime and promising not enforce the law.
No, he’s lying.
LOL!! I turst Holder....
Bond announced his retirement in 2010.
No need to primary him at all.
“I have much less faith in Sen. Cornyn since last fall’s bailout vote. That was stupid, and not the least bit conservative.”
We should stand ready to forgive and support any republican house member or senator that votes no to Obama’s ‘stimulus’ though and remove support for those that vote for it now. That’s what I plan to do.
Last fall was a crazy scary time and President Bush was being advised that if it wasn’t done, all hell would break loose. Who knows whether it would have or not..but shoring up our financial institutions sure makes more sense than this ridiculous ‘stimulus’ from Obama and the dems!!
(snip)
“I’m also concerned that, in his role as GOP Senatorial Committee Chairman, Cornyn is wooing Charlie Crist, the poofter governor of Florida, to run for the Senate:”
(end snip)
Me too...that’s why I mentioned that I hope he is not being pushed by the McCain rinos trying to take over our party now that they have placed him in a leadership role.
Believe me, I will not support him if he votes for this Obama bail-out!
Holder, go ahead, try to prosecute them.
You’ll lose on every count and look like the stupid idiot you are.
Exactly.. the grandstanding is over.. Democrats said what they needed to in order to win the White House. It’s done.. and now it’s back to business as usual.
They can try to prosecute a political official all they want, but it’s going to be their ass when the case is dismissed, they are sued for civil rights violations, and the next Republican administration who wins in 2012 will then prosecute them for abuse of power and corruption.
He’s already announced he is giving up the seat
The quid pro quo here is that the Bushies didn't prosecute the Clintonistas for major crimes, so now the 'Rats are returning the favor and supposedly agreeing not to prosecute the Bush people on made-up charges. Hardly a fair exchange, IMHO.
bttt
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