Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman has been a good Democratic soldier since Barack Obama covered his back during the kick-him-out-of-the-caucus imbroglio earlier this year.
But the hawkish independent, who questioned Obama's experience level from the podium of the RNC last summer, is taking issue with the administration's release of the torture memos, telling Fox host Greta Van Susteren it was "a bad idea" that helps America's enemies.
The transcript:
VAN SUSTEREN: Again, the whole business about the torture memos being released by the Obama administration -- good idea or bad idea?
LIEBERMAN: I thought release of the memos was a bad idea.
The President of the United States as the commander in chief has the right to decide what kinds of tactics he wants to use with detainees who we believe are associated with terrorism and what kinds he does not want to use. Congress legislated on that. I was a cosponsor with Senator McCain of the anti-torture provisions we put into law.
But once you start to take internal memos that have been designated as top secret --
VAN SUSTEREN: Even if it's -- first of all, is waterboarding torture?
LIEBERMAN: Well, I take a minority position on this. Most people think it's definitely torture. The truth is, it has mostly a psychological impact on people. It's a terrible thing to do...
Why do I think it was a mistake to give it out? I wasn't necessary. It just helps our enemies. It doesn't really help us. - Politico Story
No comments:
Post a Comment