Rachel Maddow - Congress too frightened to allow Obama to close Guantanamo

[Galraedia]

[SkyDaddy7]

1. Where are all those who have been blaming Obama for not closing GITMO?

Oh yeah, they are busy complaining Obama is listening to their phone calls.

[A Simple Game]

4. I'm one that blames President Obama. Rachel gave the solution.

Veto the defense budget. It's simple tell congress they get no defense budget unless they give him the ability to close Guantanamo or drop the defense budget by 5%, the offer is good for two weeks. Two weeks later the offer goes to 10%, etc.

[SkyDaddy7]

5. Sorry, but that would go over like...

like child rape politically!

Only 27% of Americans want GITMO closed compared to 55% who want to keep it open! In 2009 when Obama tried to close GITMO the first time the GOP & the Press scared the nation with "If we bring them to the US they could escape & destroy America!!...FEAR FEAR FEAR!!!" And support for closing GITMO jumps lower every time it is brought up!

It amazes me how many of my fellow Liberals think it is as simple as waving a magic wand (or holding the defense budget as a political weapon)...I honestly think more folks should examine in detail why things are the way they are rather than simply saying "All President Obama has to do is..." and it would be done...NOTHING is that simple! This is not FDR's America or LBJ's America where strong arming Congress works...Those days are long!

2009:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-06-01-gitmo_N.htm?csp=usat.me

2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/us/politics/26gitmo.html?_r=0

Present Day...May 2013:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/03/guantanamo-poll_n_3210409.html

[A Simple Game]

6. Sorry, but I'm not the one that promised to close it.

The Republicans have proven that even if not popular, if you do what you said you would do, the public likes it.

As for:

(or holding the defense budget as a political weapon)...

Again, the Republicans seem to do ok with holding the budget or debt ceiling as hostage. When a smaller and less mobile force is kicking your butt, maybe you should start taking lessons from them.

[SkyDaddy7]

7. The Republicans lost the election, too!

If Obama starts fucking with the military it will be all over for the Democrats & breathe new life into the GOP.

I think Obama is doing fine by himself when it comes to fighting political battles.

[A Simple Game]

8. You think it will be all over if President Obama messes with the military?

I don't know anyone that doesn't want the military cut back, and most want drastic cuts.

Also it seems everyone forgot to tell the Republicans they lost. They seem to be still fighting the war and winning most of the battles, or at least repelling the attacking forces.

[SkyDaddy7]

9. Republicans winning battles??

They control the House & can stand in the way of everything Obama & the Democrats want to pass...If you consider that "winning" then OK.

[marble falls]

2. Here's one: CLOSE GITMO!