Obama Would "Immediately Review" Potential Of Crimes In Bush White House

Attytood's Will Bunch has a new interview with Barack Obama:

Tonight I had an opportunity to ask Barack Obama a question that is on the minds of many Americans, yet rarely rises to the surface in the great ruckus of the 2008 presidential race -- and that is whether an Obama administration would seek to prosecute officials of a former Bush administration on the revelations that they greenlighted torture, or for other potential crimes that took place in the White House.

Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to "immediately review the information that's already there" and determine if an inquiry is warranted -- but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as "a partisan witch hunt." However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because "nobody is above the law."

Read the full transcript of the exchange here.

Comments

[Rmtns]

I for one can hardly wait. How much will it cost to attend the world court trials of the entire Bush Administration when they try them on crimes against humanity? Any one want to contribute so we all can go?

[peacekitten]

make them pay per view, and distribute the money to the needy of the world. it would raises a mint. we could fix new orleans, and take food and medicine to the people of darfur. you know, silly things like that.

[moderationsmuse]

Peace?

[altohone]

Nice.
Pay per view is brilliant.

I don't think I could stomach their faces, but I'd listen from the other room.

[tbone99]

It could be like the O.J trial, paid for by the very corporations that sponsored them!

[TommyHollis]

There is nothing direct about this guy.
What a crock.

[ErikW65]

You're misaking even temper and balanced statements for indirectness.

How much more direct can you get than to say "nobody is above the law."

[IndependentPAVoter]

U have got to be kidding me!!!! you can find something negative with this??? What rock do you live under???

[AnninCA]

Definitely. This will be the final reason for me to exit the party. Why would I want to see the country waste time on this type of revenge.

Leave it to the bitter bunch. Then you can hoot and hollar over your wine spritzers. LOL*

[kasha]

...and justice for all. Bring it on!!

[moderationsmuse]

Does justice still include "innocent until proven guilty"? Are you sure it's justice you want?

[Davwbaird]

they are clearly guilty.

[peacekitten]

yes. they would be even further shamed by the fact that they would be given a fair trial, the very thing they have so ruthlessly denied far too many innocents that are STILL rotting in prison today even though they have done nothing, and been charged with no crimes.

[IndependentPAVoter]

Hahahahah are you serious???

[conservativesoncrack]

Innocent until proven guilty, absolutley. But, once they are proven guilty, and I have no doubt they will, we will be on to a swift application of the penalty phase. And for once, I do not oppose the death penalty. Someone who can be proven to have needlessly murdered hindreds of thousands deserves nothing less.

[rudeboycyle]

Ask the prisoners at Guantanamo about justice, ask if they've seen any "evidence".

[JoeHillsSon]

This I can support!

[tbone99]

"He worried that such a probe could be spun as "a partisan witch hunt." ....

Obama , face it you could say the same thing about the Nazi's - because yes, they had their supporters - but WRONG is WRONG!

[ErikW65]

What part of "nobody is above the law" don't you get?

[moderationsmuse]

What part of everybody is protected by the law don't you get. Remember, innocent until proven guilty. Guilty of what? Where's your proof? What is the crime?

[Liberal2]

His mental myopia causes him to read it as "Rethugs are abouve the law."

[moderationsmuse]

Nazis? Oh this is deep thinking. Poor Obama. To think that you guys are his loyal, rah, rah supporters. Fortunately for him, other citizens don't judge him by his supporters. (Still one has to wonder ....) McCain is looking better all the time.

[GrainOSand]

tbone may have used an extreme to make his case, other than that I see no faults with his assertion that there are always people who cannot handle or do not want to handle the truth. I see you agree by stepping up to prove tbone's point.

[fedupwiththis]

Nothing can make McCain look good. I agree that some of Obama's supporters are a little goofy and, yes, a little crazy but that can be said of any candidates supporters. After the '04 election I asked myself if I could ever vote for a Republican again. My first reaction was, yes, I could vote for John McCain but then I realized I was thinking of the image McCain has so carefully built over the years. When I thought about his positions on nearly all important topics I realized he goes with the flow. He really doesn't stand for anything but election.

Barack Obama would be a President I could be proud of (I say that as a complete WASP) and Lord knows I need that now. I think we all need that now.

[only1Demvoter]

tbone : Exactly !

If they go after The Clenis, it's ' serving the public trust '...

If we go after Scooter, Gonzo ( et.al. ) it's ' political grandstanding ', or a ' witch hunt '.

Their spin doctors aren't good liars... They're just liars, that's all.

When is David Vitter's wife going to ' Bobbitize ' him ? ( As she expostulated a decade ago ? )

Where's the ' weenie ' for the Senate subpoenas issued last year ? ... Anyone ??


More to follow. -ralph

[sagopalm]

As the Manchester Guardian read on the front cover the day after w's re-electio­n...and yes folks, like it or not he was actually (still shaking my head in disbelief) re-elected­...
"D'oh! How Can 59Million People be So Dumb?".
No truer words have ever been printed.

[mrmxyzptlk]

Whether he really was elected, or the system was rigged, either scenario is pretty sad.

[Arleen1]

I wonder why the MSM hasn't picked up this story yet?

[mponti]

MSM is too busy talking about bitterness, bowling and beer

[Davwbaird]

That is the destiny and the downfall of MSM, AMerica is so tired of that or better put I am give me Frontline and PBS a good perspective.

[HereNow]

I Did It.
I donated $1000. I feel real good about it too. I figured $76 a month or $2.75 a day was a bargain for a Government that might serve the People. Its a lot less if I amortize it for eight years. Hell, I am sure I p*ss that much away a day each day if I examine myself.
Anyway, I think I did good.

[peacekitten]

if obama can deliver even half of what he aspires to, he will be a good leader.

he's got a helluva tough job in front of him. and he's not perfect. but he's aeons better than that bunch of protoplasm that has been squatting on federal lands these last seven years.

[Waitaminute]

We will have to vote the butt kissing Dems out, if we want a change. If we don't, Obama may need to keep the signing statement in tact

[EyeWantOneNation]

Hey, peacekitte­n...long time no see !!! HI...

Yes, Obama has a helluva job ahead of him....but when ya got the support of the people, it's gotta make the job a bit easier...d­on't you think ???

[PlantGod72]

Bless you, HereNow! I'm doing what I can month by month, and plan on continuing through the election.

The Obama administration will bring a paradigm shift for this country---of that I'm sure.

WAR CRIMES NOT 'OFF THE TABLE'....­..what a concept!

[EyeWantOneNation]

Heck of a job, HereNow...­wish I had the money to match your donantion. But, like others here, I give month to month what I can spare.

Supporting your candidate.­..what a concept !!!!

Thanx !!!!

[ROBOT8]

The Eichmann Defense:

"I cannot recognize the verdict of guilty. . . . It was my misfortune to become entangled in these atrocities. But these misdeeds did not happen according to my wishes. It was not my wish to slay people. . . . Once again I would stress that I am guilty of having been obedient, having subordinated myself to my official duties and the obligations of war service and my oath of allegiance and my oath of office, and in addition, once the war started, there was also martial law. . . . I did not persecute Jews with avidity and passion. That is what the government did. . . . At that time obedience was demanded, just as in the future it will also be demanded of the subordinate. [1]" - Adolf Eichmann

"act of terrorism" means an activity that -- (A) involves a violent act 
or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal 
laws of the United States or any State, or that would be a criminal 
violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or 
of any State; and (B) appears to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce 
a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by 
intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government 
by assassination or kidnapping­.

Ref: United States Code Congressional and Administrative News, 98th Congress, 
Second Session, 1984, Oct. 19, volume 2; par. 3077, 98 STAT. 2707

[Troubledwawa]

From the article (last part of Obama's answer) "Now, if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in coverups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law -- and I think that's roughly how I would look at it."

----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­------

Has that answer got Dick Cheney written all over it or what? - HR333

[backwoodsintellect]

...and does Dick Cheney only 'accidentally' shoot people or is he willing to have them shot?

[SFreeborn]

That is what someone who actually believes in the principle "innocent until proven guilty" would say. He would look at the actual evidence rather than the innuendo and opinion that swirls around Bush & Company like a cloud. Obama is a constitutional law scholar, that means he actually respects using the constitution and US law for what it is intended, rather than ignoring it when it doesn't fit your plans.

The standard he mentions is one for finding a conscious, intentional act and requires "knowledge and aforethought," meaning intentionality. Cheney would simply break that law if it was inconvenient. Obama, would afford him & his cronies at the white house the full benefit of a lawful prosecution. That's good government!

[Liberal2]

"....Obama­, would afford him & his cronies at the white house the full benefit of a lawful prosecutio­n...."

Ooooooookay, but Karma demands a public defender. With 20 other cases concurrent.

[HereNow]

I Did It!
I made my decision to put my money where my mouth is and Endorse Barack Obama for my President upon reading a Huffington Post blog on Senator Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to "immediately review the information that's already there" and determine if an inquiry is warranted --
I am excited at the prospect of having a Government that has a bias towrds "We the People" and much less for corporations.
Wouldnt John Edwards have fun as Attorney General?

[MickeyG]

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone decent and honest in the White House AND have Edwards as A.G., too???
I feel as excited as I was when I was a kid, and it was 3:00 a.m., and I was waiting to see if Santie Claus came yet!
I feel as hopeful as I was way back when Bobbie Kennedy announced his candidacy for President, and when he announced that he was going to investigate the assassination of his brother and within about a week, well, we know what happened to him. I hope Barack is watching his back. God, I hope he is being protected. America needs him badly.

[ILliberalPedagogue]

Hell yeah !! Edwards could sit out on PA Ave. and chase ambulances. What a cartoon character that guys is.

[ricchase]

I realize there are MAJOR problems to be solved, but for my palette, this is all I have wanted to hear throughout this campaign. Nothing would be sweeter than to see this administration actually..­..and finally get the due justice they so richly deserve! Oh please, make it so!!

[moderationsmuse]

If Obama's idea of governing is to criminalize the decisions of his predecessors, then McCain just got my vote. However, I suspect that Obama didn't really say what you seem to think he said.
God forbid the government should be involved in anything but petty power struggles. Obama has campaigned as the candidate to unite the country. It is the only way he'd have a chance of winning. But if he decides to be the good leftist, I thinking we're looking at another Republican. Four more years.

[peacekitten]

nice try there, moderation.

no justice, no peace.

know justice, know peace.

it's not a matter of partisanship at all. it's a matter of the rule of law. period.

[Davwbaird]

LOl, I think der bush criminalized himself kinda.

[mydogshakespeare]

If I knew NOTHING ELSE AT ALL about Obama, THIS ALONE would be enough to get my vote. I hope he's not just blowing smoke.

[oxygen]

yes this is exactly what we all have been waiting for some brave soul to stand up and say which hillbillary of course won't becasue she is part of the problem of torture cluster bombs and all the rest of the things that the rest of the world hates about america and will over time undermine and basically isolate america from the global market and economics of the world as well as military also in time I believe...­. bravo bravo bravo obama for being a real man and standing up to these evil people - we americans and the rest of the world have wanted to hear this from someone in our political system and boy would that change some things if you were to do that - keep up the great work I can't wait until we have a real honest and real man as president - by the way a great article on your mother the other day in a major magazine which again shows how very humble and real you are compared to the aristocrats running the country right now, I am very proud of you sir and thankyou it makes me feel human again just to hear you say that

[Zeje]

Is anyone else out there thinking that Obama may be assassinated?

[Arleen1]

Yes, I've been thinking that. He is worth all the protective detail money could buy.

[DannyEastVillage]

I think it likely if he don't keep his mouth shut.

[ChiMan1]

Just One Small Problem. . . . McCain will be President!

[Clinton]

hahahahaha­...what a stupid remark

[mrmxyzptlk]

Unfortunately, I agree with that "stupid remark." The Republicans are biding their time, waiting for the right moment in the campaign to start rolling out their fear-mongering, election rigging, and other dirty tricks - tricks that will work again.

How could the current situation be any more urgent than it was in 2004? How could people possibly be any more motivated to vote the neocons out of office than they were then? And yet, Bush is president.

Sure I'll vote for Obama. Sure I'll try to encourage others to do so - although just about everyone I know has made up their minds one way or the other. But I've lost faith in our so-called democratic system. I'd bet money that McCain, as poor a choice as he is, will be our next president.

[ErikW65]

Just one small problem...­there are no facts that back up your opinion. Dem turnout has doubled since 2000, while Repubs' has stagnated. Please try again!

[ILliberalPedagogue]

ummmmmmm..­..you do realize you lost in 04 right? Keep on thinkin it can't happen again.

[Arleen1]

He will only if you and your friends vote for him. Think about it. Talk to your family and friends. Encourage them to vote for Obama.

[peacekitten]

really?

where?

[mponti]

And Cindy will bring her family recipes to the White House

[HereNow]

It has been a very long time since I put my money where my mouth is,
So here it is.
I am Making a Donation to the Obama Campaign. As soon as this is typed. I made a generous donation to the Salvation Army last year, on my boss's urging. I found a way to incorporate, what could have been interpreted as stronghold tactics to extract the donation, a good feeling about myself and what collectively we could accomplish by doing so.
So without further ado, I am Endorsing Barrack Obama for my President.
I pledge my $$$ as well.

[Gem4Obama]

Here here, HereNow! Good for you! Welcome aboard! This train is on a fast track and programmed to sidestep the derailment of the other candidates. We're in it to win it!

[HereNow]

I donated $1000. I feel real good about it too. I figured $76 a month or $2.75 a day was a bargain for a Government that would serve the People. Its a lot less if I amortize it for the full eight years. Hell, I am sure I p*ss that much away each day if I examine myself.
I am sure I did good now.
I posted some comments on the Obama site to a matching donor. I only wish the Campaign could tell why I reached into my pocket.