May 21, 2009 3:55 PM

GOP In Unison Against Obama's Gitmo Speech

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
Terrorism
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
Former Vice President Cheney is not the only Republican with a virulent reaction to President Obama's national security speech this morning.

Almost immediately after the president wrapped, Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R- Va.) issued a statement against transporting Guantanamo detainees to the United States.

Cantor said that "aside from a few Members of Congress" who are "choosing to go against the will of their constituents, a bipartisan majority agrees that terrorists should not be brought to America's shores."

"Importing terrorists into our communities creates a situation where people in surrounding areas are put at greater risk," the statement continued.

At a press conference following the speech, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) called the president's decision to close the prison "irresponsible."

"Let me state," Boehner said, "right up front that republicans oppose releasing these terrorists or detaining them in our local communities. I think on this one he is dead wrong."

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the president's speech, "a big flowery campaign speech."

"With all due respect to the president, what we need is not a speech but a plan," McConnell said at a press conference. "The plan is what was clearly missing from the speech today. What is driving this issue, in my view, is a quest for popularity in Europe more than continuing policies that have demonstrably made America safe since 9/11. Clearly these policies and practices worked."


Add a Comment
by sjc_1 May 23, 2009 10:44 PM EDT
"..oppose releasing these terrorists..."

Bush already released more than 500 of them and almost 15% of them are back doing some insurgency. What does the Congressman have to say about that...I suppose THAT is fine with him.
Reply to this comment
by TooComplex May 22, 2009 2:30 PM EDT
The toxic partisan rhetoric that the GOP vomits out on a daily basis has absolutely nothing to do with keeping this nation safe. The goal is simply to discredit Mr. Obama's policies and to make him look bad. At a time when the leaders of this nation should be working together and focus on many critical issues, the Republican leadership proves time and time again that they bring nothing of value to the table and that obstructionism is their only goal. They have learned nothing from the last two smackdowns at the polls. Indeed, their lack of concern for the opinions and welfare of the American people is apalling.
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by jmikey54 May 22, 2009 2:08 AM EDT
I believe the Detainees could and should be brought to the US for trial. I think the only reason the Guantanamo facility was built and used in the first place was so that Bush and Cheney could more easily get away with torturing the prisoners. Otherwise they would have been brought here straightaway. This is why we need to close Guantanamo. To show the world and ourselves that we are better than that. Thank God for Obama a good christian man.
Reply to this comment
by dhouston121 May 21, 2009 11:01 PM EDT
As far as Mr. Cantor's comment that Dems are going against what the public wants---since when has THAT mattered to HIM?! The party of "NO" did it, and continues to do it, when it suits them---so it's a tad bit hypocritical to whine about it now!
Posted by stn_sage a

You do understand that there are Leading Democrats to be included in that Party of NO category
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage May 21, 2009 10:16 PM EDT
What's that noise?! The party of "NO"---formerly the GOP---is at it again!

WAH! WAH! WAH! NO! NO! NO! They say as they stomp their feet and hold their breath!

They have nothing constructive to add to the discussion---lack of ideas---so they say leave them in Guantanamo!

I think they can be brought within the U.S. for trial and imprisonment---if convicted! But, after release, they MUST
be flown back to their native countries! They are NOT
citizens here, and have NO right to remain!

IF Mr. Obama allows them to stay, he's violating the law and exceeding his authority! Then, HE should be impeached!

As far as Mr. Cantor's comment that Dems are going against what the public wants---since when has THAT mattered to HIM?! The party of "NO" did it, and continues to do it, when it suits them---so it's a tad bit hypocritical to whine about it now!
Reply to this comment
by ToolMangler1 May 21, 2009 9:46 PM EDT
"Let me state," Boehner said, "right up front that republicans oppose releasing these terrorists or detaining them in our local communities. I think on this one he is dead wrong."




GITMO Is closer to Miami (90 miles) than I am to the beach in NC (205 miles). Thats about as 'local' as you can get. I visit the beach several times a year. Cubans (illegal) arrive in Miami regularly. With a shave and a haircut. you cant tell them apart (Prisoners and Cubans) till you talk to them. Just a bunch of anti-american politicians trying to sabotage a president just because he is black.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 May 21, 2009 8:57 PM EDT
Of course the Republicans would circle the wagons on anything that Obama does. The party is evil and will refuse any good offered by anyone other that one of their buddies. They are unpatriotic, partisan, lost, and, dying. Good riddance.
Reply to this comment
by noloyalisti May 21, 2009 6:15 PM EDT
The Republicons are of the body. They think, act and lie in unity. They have been complicit in treason.

We need to get rid of the Guantanomo gulag, repeal the Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act and bring the troops home now. We all need to get on Obama to stand up to the big corporations who are ripping us off for credit, for health care and for oil. Nationalize them all and provide social safety nets for ALL Americans.
Reply to this comment
by hopeful08 May 21, 2009 5:55 PM EDT
As usual, the Republicans are betting that Americans are too busy, too scared or too stupid to sit through Obama's plan which is actually quite detailed in less than four months since he announced GITMO closure. The act of indefinitely, holding hundreds of people in legal limbo with no checks and balances, has clearly forced the US in to an alternative and parallel system of justice than the one defined by the Constitution. Its like a lie that must be perpetually embellished in order to remain credible.
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