Deadpans Goldsmith: "On the other hand, of course, there's the law." (to Jon Stewart)

[rodeodance]

Jon Stewart sits down with Bush book author Goldsmith to discuss new terror memo

..."I tried to paint as fair a picture I could of the pressures everyone was under," responds Goldsmith. "They're not evil people; they were people trying to do their best. They--we all made mistakes of judgment...but they were trying their best, even though they made mistakes."

The figures working to prevent the next terror attack, says Goldsmith, are fearful of that next terror attack, along with the accompanying personal consequences, to the point where their zeal for pushing policies within the government can meet one particular hurdle.

Deadpans Goldsmith: "On the other hand, of course, there's the law."

"Criminal laws," he continues, to laughter from Stewart and the audience, "which they're afraid of."

"In your mind, they're trying to allow the President as much leeway as he can possibly get," interprets Stewart, "--'we want to clear as many obstacles as we can away from you, while not also putting ourselves in jeopardy of being sent to these prisons we're helping you create.'"

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