Republicans Blackmailing Obama-If President Releases Torture Memo-They Will Go Nuclear!-Scott Horton

[kpete]

Are Republicans Blackmailing Obama?
by Scott Horton


If the president releases the Bush torture memos, Republicans are promising to “go nuclear” and filibuster his legal appointments. Scott Horton reports on a serious threat to Obama’s transparency.

Senate Republicans are now privately threatening to derail the confirmation of key Obama administration nominees for top legal positions by linking the votes to suppressing critical torture memos from the Bush era. A reliable Justice Department source advises me that Senate Republicans are planning to "go nuclear" over the nominations of Dawn Johnsen as chief of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice and Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh as State Department legal counsel if the torture documents are made public. The source says these threats are the principal reason for the Obama administration’s abrupt pullback last week from a commitment to release some of the documents. A Republican Senate source confirms the strategy. It now appears that Republicans are seeking an Obama commitment to safeguard the Bush administration’s darkest secrets in exchange for letting these nominations go forward.

.............

The Justice Department source confirms to me that Brennan has consistently opposed making public the torture memos—and any other details about the operations of the extraordinary renditions program—but this source suggests that concern about the G.O.P.’s roadblock in the confirmation process is the principle reason that the memos were not released. Republican senators have expressed strong reservations about their promised exposure, expressing alarm that a critique of the memos by Justice’s ethics office (Office of Professional Responsibility) will also be released. "There was no ‘direct’ threat," said the source, "but the message was communicated clearly—if the OLC and OPR memoranda are released to the public, there will be war." This is understood as a threat to filibuster the nominations of Johnsen and Koh. Not only are they among the most prominent academic critics of the torture memoranda, but are also viewed as the strongest advocates for release of the torture memos on Obama’s legal policy team.

A Republican Senate staffer further has confirmed to me that the Johnsen nomination was discussed at the last G.O.P. caucus meeting. Not a single Republican indicated an intention to vote for Dawn Johnsen, while Senator John Cornyn of Texas was described as "gunning for her," specifically noting publication of the torture memos.


http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-05/are-republicans-blackmailing-obama/full/

[BOSSHOG]

1. Release the memos

let the members of the party of No "Go Nuclear" and let the votes of the citizenry fall where they may. You go Cornyn, guarantee the (D) 60 plus majority in the senate in 2010.

[L. Coyote]

67. Release the Hounds

If the truth is out, a lynching mob forms and they know it.

[Luminous Animal]

2. I can't help but think

that this is a "cover your ass" leak from the Obama administration. The Obama DOJ has requested and received permission to delay release of these memos 4 times. I believe that their legal arguments are wearing thin and are now looking for political cover.

[Botany]

3. Bring it on

Because sooner or later we will have to have this fight be it over the bush/Cheney legacy,
health care, energy, or a Supreme Court pick.

Failure to stand solid on right v wrong issue when the facts are so clear is serious mistake.

Senator Cornyn will only understand "a punch in the mouth" and then standing over him
and asking him if he wants some more?

[FourScore]

4. dupe. ***sigh***

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5400418&mesg_id=5400418

[elocs]

69. Interesting that the original OP only got around half the Recs as the dupe

and they're from the same source. Now why could that be?

[Horse with no Name]

71. Same reason as always

:shrug:

[elocs]

74. I reckon you are right. n/t

[Hubert Flottz]

5. I thought we didn't make deals with terrorists, thugs and gangsters.

If the GOPers don't have anything to hide in those documents then what are they afraid of?

[Luminous Animal]

10. This leaked excuse...

makes the Obama admin and DOJ look pathetically weak.


What are they afraid of?

[Hubert Flottz]

13. "What are they afraid of?"

That the world can't handle the truth...that America was a ruthless dictatorship for eight years.

[kenfrequed]

57. I think

That their opposition and this threat actually makes the GOP look bad. Tactically it was an error to link torture memos with refusing to approve justice department appointees. If they follow through with this threat you release the torture memos and the repug-niks then look like the facists they are.

And if they do not follow through with this threat you get them to vote on your appointees and then release the memos anyways with the story being "these are my appointees, this is what my predecessor did wrong, and we are committed to returning to the rule of law that has been so long ignored."

Really there is a distinct tactical advantage in leaking the crimes of the Bush administration for the next four years.

[Luminous Animal]

76. The Obama admin does not want full torture disclosure.

The admin wants to sweep evidence of our crimes into the dustbin of history.

"So candidate Obama unambiguously vowed to his supporters that he would work to ensure "full accountability" for "past offenses" in surveillance lawbreaking. President Obama, however, has now become the prime impediment to precisely that accountability, repeatedly engaging in extraordinary legal maneuvers to ensure that "past offenses" -- both in the surveillance and torture/rendition realm -- remain secret and forever immunized from judicial review. Put another way, Obama has repeatedly done the exact opposite of what he vowed he would do: rather than "seek full accountability for past offenses," he has been working feverishly to block such accountability, by embracing the same radical Bush/Cheney views and rhetoric regarding presidential secrecy powers that caused so much controversy and anger for the last several years. "
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/07/secrecy/index.html

[kenfrequed]

78. Thank you for depressing me.

Well I was hoping it would be tactical. I mean it would have made tactical sense to leak the re-puke excesses from here to neverland but maybe I was entirely too hopeful. I suppose calls to my congress-critters are in order... again.

[sarge43]

16. Plus, not that long ago the GOPers were saying it was ok

to torture enemies of the Homeland. So what's changed?

[Hubert Flottz]

25. The GOPers were in lockstep with everything Bush did or

wanted to do for eight years, so they own their share of the blame for turning this country into a banana republic.

The Truth about these matters would destroy the GOP politically for years to come IMHO, and it's exactly what they deserve for the crimes that they have willingly endorsed and supported.

[sarge43]

34. So say we all. n/t

[sellitman]

62. The problem is Nancy, Harry and many other key Dems knew and signed off on it

They all must be exposed.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. I'm sure Obama could release more than the Bush memos

he should break free from them for the good of the people. Release all information in relation to 9/11 too

[MiniMe]

7. I believe that could be considered blackmail

[Kablooie]

51. Just GOP politics as usual.

[denverbill]

8. Wait a minute. They threatened to 'go nuclear' when they were in the majority.

By ignoring Senate rules and pushing judges to floor votes. Instead 'moderate' Democrats compromised and put Bush's whole slew of right-nut fucktards into office.

So now, they are 'going nuclear' in the minority? How about we go nuclear instead and do what the pukies wanted to do 2 years ago?

[Demoiselle]

66. Exactly my thoughts, Denverbill....I thought "Nuclear" was majority option (eom)

[liberal N proud]

9. Call their bluff

They will only make themselves look like bigger fools if they follow through.

[Echo In Light]

27. Unless there's a broader ruse involved?

[liberal N proud]

32. Like?

[Echo In Light]

35. Given other factors involved {some mentioned here} as to get around this, could it be a way to....

Justify not releasing the memos as a form of institutional collusion/protecting hallowed institutions, etc?

[Pachamama]

11. Let the Repukes go "Nuclear" - and watch the American people go nuclear on their asses..

Seriously....I think that the Democrats have got to start calling the bluffs and threats of the GOP and start standing up to them and for what is right...

[Winterblues]

31. Except many prominent Democrats are also culpable in this...

Remember that Congressional committees signed off on this and Democrats were a part of those committees.

[Pachamama]

54. I do remember this and I am hoping that they get exposed too...

I am so disgusted by our political structure in Washington and I want everyone of them to be exposed...regardless of their political affiliation.

The american public should learn what was done in their name and who allowed it. And those preventing the truth from being exposed, should be punished even harsher.

[MineralMan]

12. Screw 'em! Release it.

Do it publicly, with a press conference. Explain that, despite the foolish threats of Republicans, this information is too important to withhold from the American public. Tell the public that such obstructionism cannot be allowed to interfere with the transparency he promised.

Then, let the chips fall. The GOOPers will only go so far before they realize that they'll lose this battle, along with their elections in 2010 and 2012. Let public outrage at their obstructionism make the point to them.

President Obama should draw a line in the sand and go forward.

[Luminous Animal]

17. The Obama DOJ is on its 4th extension to delay

release of the memos.

"Those are the torture memos that are now at the heart of a growing controversy, as the Obama administration has sought multiple delays (a total of four) of the court-imposed deadline for it either to (a) disclose those memos to the ACLU or (b) declare that it will refuse to do so and explain why. "

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/06/memos/index.html


This "leaked" information that the admin is being blackmailed looks like a political attempt to delay the release even longer.

[smoogatz]

14. Go public.

Release the names of the Repuke senators who are trying to suppress the truth. Run blistering ad campaigns in their home states. Release the memos. Find a way to ram your appointments through, using whatever arcane senate rule you can use. They're not running the country--we are.

[w4rma]

15. Release the memos and engage in "nuclear war". This is a war that we'll win. (nt)

[kestrel91316]

18. If Obama blatantly lied to them and said he wasn't gonna release the memos,

waited until his people got confirmed, and then released the memos, I would totally give him a pass.

[fascisthunter]

44. .

[nolabels]

61. It wouldn't be a lie if a court somewhere forced the action

This is the whole point of why we have a triangulated government. Even a deal with the executive and legislature can be overturned by another agency

[The Wizard]

64. Since Republicans always lie

the best way to trap them is with a lie. Liars depend on everyone else to be honest and bargain in good faith. As long as Democrats treat them with respect and expect the Repubes are honest the more the Pubes will lie. Make them filibuster until their Depends are full. Then make them filibuster until its running down their legs. Make them extremely uncomfortable.

[laylah]

19. Johnson suckers...

ALL of them! :mad: If this were Clinton's records, a celebration and push for immediate disclosure would choke the airwaves. Damn them...DAMN THEM...all to Hell.

[Political Heretic]

20. Somehow I get the feeling this would only make Obama more likely to do it.

I dunno... he just seems like the sort of guy who would get pissed off (at least, as much as he ever gets pissed off) at people threatening him.

[Soylent Brice]

21. they have to release them. actions will always speak louder than words,

and this is an action that will finally shed much needed light on the need for prosecution of the whole fucking * admin.

[sampsonblk]

22. All the more reason to release them

The time for cowardice has passed.

[stillcool]

23. Recess appointments..

[druidity33]

46. ooooooo... that'd be sweet. nt.

[Canuckistanian]

55. That's the ticket

I say let 'em go nukular.

[Political Heretic]

24. How about PASS EFCA and I'll fucking think about it.

:)

I know that's not practical, but it felt good anyway.

[stillcool]

48. I know my Congressman and my Senators..

will be voting for EFCA , regardless of how long the Republicans hold up the nominations. I'm not sure what it is your advocating here.

[bamacrat]

26. Is this not illegal?

I mean can you imagine if the democrats had acted this way with bush, they would have all been brought up on treason charges. If the will admittedly fillibuster if torture memos are released makes it sound to me as though many of these pukes have something to hide. I say release them, point out what the pukes are doing and expose their actions. It will be better than giving in to their threats.

[ProgrezivIndie]

28. let 'em ... that would ensure nearly 100% ousting of RWWs up for reelection in 2010 n/t k&r

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

29. Obama shouldn't have committed to releasing documents ...

he should have simply released them. Unless he really didn't want to release them, but wanted the secrecy to be the fault of the Repubs.

[DBoon]

30. I know how they should conduct this filibuster

by reading the names of people tortured and killed with the support of the US Government.

Augusto Pinochet, Roberto D'Abuisson, Efrain Rios-Monte .....

[ThomWV]

33. What a fucking joke. Hear me people? Anyone ever hear of Recess appointments?

All Harry Reid has to do is toss the Senate into recess for a long weekend and President Obama can appoint anyone he wants.

This is just bullshit.

[scarletwoman]

49. Thank you for calling it like it is -- BULLSHIT!

They really do think we're stupid, don't they. :mad:

[immoderate]

36. It's clobberin' time!

Call their bluff!

--imm

[Wapsie B]

37. Time to push the gop into a complete meltdown. Release the memos.

Something tells me that is just the tip of the iceberg.

[DevonRex]

38. Get the confirmations, expose the blackmail, release the memos.

We win all around.

[Ikonoklast]

39. Call their bluff.

And if the memos happen to implicate Democrats that were culpable, too freakin' bad. Let the chips fall where they may.

Wrong is wrong.

[spanone]

40. fuck them....release the memos and expose the criminals....hijacking democracy

[rateyes]

41. Obama once said, "I don't do cowering."

If this article is true, then we'll see. Obama can win this fight, and get his nominees if he sticks to his guns and his principles.

[Bluenorthwest]

58. But he certainly does

do bluster.

[glinda]

42. 2 Words "Political Capital"

Obama is in a tough place. On one hand, he needs all the political capital he can muster. On the other hand, the Repubs and maybe even some Dems are obstructing justice and information that belongs to the public. This information does not belong to them. It belongs to us. We are the "Country". There may be big implications for maybe some Democrats also that people do not even wish to go near. My personal opinion is that I do not know what the implications are, I would like Obama to tell the American people why he is not releasing these and who the people are that are trying to shut it down. Go for a public airing. Ask the American people what they want.

[Cha]

43. They've already gone

:nuke:..and they have nothing.

[depakid]

45. Two can play at nu-cul-ar

The Senate needs to revise or simply get rid of the arcane filibuster rule once and for all. This would present be the perfect situation to do it.

[bdamomma]

47. the repigs are still causing havoc, they are holding up

key nominations for the Obama administration too, hey didn't we win the election, the repigs are truly a$$holes.

[Kablooie]

50. God. When can we get rid of these clowns?

[malaise]

52. So the Rushicans who didn't want Bush and Cheney near their

convention and who want Cheney to shut up and spare them from total irrelevance are covering up for them.

When will these fucking losers accept that they lost the elections.

[timtom]

53. I hope to God that the Obama administration has someone monitoring DU!

There are some EXCELLENT suggestions here for dealing with those thugs!

And this administration is supposed to be about throwing the light of truth on all government processes.

[dysfunctional press]

56. bring. it. on. 2010 is just around the corner.

[april]

59. so what let them ...

[florida08]

60. By Josh Meyer and Julian E Barnes

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/03/nation/chi-documentsmar03
March 3 2009
WASHINGTON—The Obama administration on Monday made public nine long-secret legal memos setting out an extraordinarily broad interpretation of presidential power that was used by the Bush White House to justify its actions in the war on terror, including one 2001 opinion authorizing the military to treat terrorist suspects in the U.S. like an invading army that lacked constitutional rights.

The memos disclosed Monday also said the military’s need to go after terrorists in the United States might override constitutional protections guaranteeing the right to free speech. One of the legal opinions set the stage for the Guantanamo Bay prison policy by asserting Bush had “the exclusive authority” to decide how prisoners would be detained. The Bush administration had refused to make any of the memos public.

President Barack Obama and Atty. Gen. Eric Holder have vowed to release other still-secret Bush legal memos as soon as possible.

In a speech Monday, Holder said he understood the need to protect America from terrorism. “But we must do so in a manner that preserves, protects and defends the rights that are enshrined in our Constitution, and the rule of law itself.”

American Civil Liberties Union officials hailed the release of the documents but said the Obama administration needs to release, “dozens of still-secret legal memos related to interrogation, detention, rendition, surveillance and other Bush administration policies that are still being withheld.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe they will release the rest in time..republicans are worried how it will make them look. Let 'em rant and threatened..,just exposes the kind of people they are..the country needs to see the whole truth.

[humbled_opinion]

79. LOL you are fooling yourself

If you think only the "Republicans are worried how it make them look." There are some powerful Congressional Democrats that are just as complicit and I think they are the ones that are in fear because the Repukes are not going to hold any of their reps accountable for these acts but Good Democrats may hold their Reps accountable...

Think...

[HCE SuiGeneris]

63. Can we ALL now act with impunity? Or, is it just Republics

and their ilk?

Effin criminals need their asses tossed in jail.

[Madmain]

65. Dare it

what is it he has to fear. Just go on man..just do it

[jwirr]

68. So we must decide between exposing *ss for the torture he allowed

or liberalizing the Supreme Court. But maybe we can have both - just prioritize. We will need the liberal court to prosecute *ss for the torture. First things first. The war crimes are a done deed and we can take them up whenever we want to but without the liberal Supreme Court we are slowed down in everything. Make sure the documents are protected from sabotage and then get the judges and other issues we want. Turn the blackmail back on them.

[paparush]

70. Frustrated, irrelevant Republicans stamping their feet, shaking their tiny, angry fists.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

72. Obama - Lead for crying out loud.

[pmorlan1]

73. No Brainer

If that's the case then this is a no-brainer for the Obama administration. Are they really going to allow Republicans to prevent transparency in government? I say when you release the documents tell the American people that the reason you delayed in doing so was because Republicans threatened to filibuster your nominations. Tell them that you will not allow Republicans to blackmail you into breaking your transparency in government promise to the country and that with the American people's help you will not only release these memos but also get the qualified public servants that you've nominated confirmed.

[alfredo]

75. Kick

[Maineman]

77. If it works, they will keep doing it.

Republican speciality: threats and war. I am really tired of that crap.

[jmowreader]

80. I think this would work...

First, we release the torture memos. Then, when the Repukes attempt to filibuster the Obama nominees, the President of the Senate has the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms arrest the filibustering Repukes. I realize it's unprecedented, but then again so is the subject of those memos. Tomas de Bushamata is guilty of capital murder and hopefully we can give him everything he deserves...which won't happen so long as the Republicans in Congress are protecting him.

[disndat]

81. Bush already chose the Nuclear Option

He dropped the atomic bomb on the U.S. financial systems which also brought down most of the rest of the world's.

[PuppyBismark]

82. Forget it!

Given what the justice department just did about wire tapping, we will never see those memos. They just hope the issue will go away. We will have to wait for the rest of the world to do what is needed.

[lame54]

83. Aren't they toxic enough already?

[Gman]

84. WTF? "Go nuclear" with 41 votes

gimme a fucking break. Make 'em talk till they drop.