Biden On Prosecution Of Bush Officials: "Not Ruling It Out"

In an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopolous, Joe Biden said he was 'not ruling out' prosecutions for Bush administration officials over torture.

STEPHANOPOULOS: The Senate Armed Services Committee last week had a unanimous report that said that the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, at Guantanamo, at prisons around the world is a direct and indirect result of decisions made by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other high officials. Should they be prosecuted for that?

BIDEN: First of all, that's a judgment, remember, four years ago on your program I made, so I haven't changed my mind. And this confirms.

But the questions of whether or not a criminal act has been committed or a very, very, very bad judgment has been engaged in is -- is something the Justice Department decides.

Barack Obama and I are -- President-elect Obama and I are not sitting thinking about the past. We're focusing on the future. Obviously, that if the Justice...

STEPHANOPOULOS: But should the cases be reviewed?

BIDEN: Well, that's a decision I'd look to the Justice Department to make.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're not ruling it out at this point?

BIDEN: I'm not ruling it in and not ruling it out. I just think we should look forward. I think we should be looking forward, not backwards.

Newsweek reported recently that Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft could soon face "legal jeopardy" for their role in abusive interrogations.

Comments

[Rosanneofpgh]

Perhaps this issue is being downplayed at this time to lull the basta*rds into a false sense of security. Then, BAM! arrest them!

[DASChicago]

My exact sentiments.
This administration has used very "cruel and unusual" acts against the American People and the detainees. If these actions go without being tried, we - United States citizens, are all at a deficit morally.

[BillKen]

To get the America that was America, we have to have some law and some justice. The dirtbag in question has played a part in the potential destruction of our country and the deaths of our own people and others. If we want to be seen as something close to our ideal then this criminal and his colleagues
need to be shown the kind of justice that we give other criminals in our society. We can no longer turn our heads when the culprits are Americans and give a slap on the hand when they wear a shirt and tie. When a person decides to accept the public trust then they must set an example and if they don't, then they must get the severest punishment possible. Mercy is not part of their plan, so why should we give them any. If a few of these characters had to walk a plank I'm sure we could control their behavior problems.
Spare the potential prison sentence and spoil the politician. Let's have a little accountability and maybe we'll get smarter people. Semper Fi

[bullwinkle88]

The title of this article is misleading. I see no inclination from Biden or Obama to investigate this corrupt administration. Biden's quotes indicate he wants to let it go, and I've heard Obama echo those same sentiments. I'd be very surprised if they actually do anything when in power.

Reflections of the Ford pardoning of Nixon.

Makes me sick.

[LeLoup]

Obama and Biden are not stupid. They know that Bush only need to use his pen before the 20th of January and there won't be ANY penalties for those who destroyed the American values system and its reputation.
So, it is not surprising they're sending signals of "well, you know, let's not dwell on that too much...lik­e 'know wattam sayin' man? We got some tough stuff to take care of; the economy, the finances etc."

You get the idea.

[anney]

See, I think the conservatives and the Bush administration people would be quaking in their boots if Obama were to announce that he intended to investigate and prosecute any lawbreaking that occurred in the prior administration. I think they wouldn't be so cocky and arrogant right now -- they think the Democrats are wusses and can be walked all over.

There's absolutely no reason the Democratic Congress could not undo everything Bush tried to do to avoid prosecution including pardons and a refusal to supply information, particularly with a new Supreme Court is operating.

The only people who would be upset about an upfront announced intention to prosecute administration lawbreakers would be the lawbreakers themselves. The rest of America would be cheering.

[anney]

bullwinkle

We'll just have to wait and see if Obama ALSO thinks the Constitution is nothing but a g**-d***** piece of paper as GW was reported to say. In fact, I am now willing to publicly charge Pelosi, Reid, and both Houses of Congress, with a few blessed exceptions, with acting on the same belief -- that the Constitution is worthless because they arrogantly believe that they and war-criminals are not bound by Constitutional law. It certainly isn't "worthless" to the rest of us.

[larstein]

If Obama does not investigate whether Bush and Cheney committed treason and war crimes, the issue will dog him throughout his entire tenure as president. It goes to the core of our American value system; are we a nation of laws, or an empire ruled by a tyrant. Cheney and Bush, like their predecessor Nixon, believe the President is above the law. This is what the Gop party seems to think now, at least when their guy is emperor. Obama has the opportunity to bring to justice that erroneous way of thinking, and prosecute these traitors in order to demonstrate that he is serious about returning the nation to republican democracy as the founders intended, and not continue the plutocratic corporatocracy that it has become since Nixon. The question is not about the past - Bush/Cheney - but whether Obama is willing to be a real President now, bound by the letter and spirit of the Constitution. If not, he will become just another elected potentate presiding over a declining and corrupt empire.

[Yermammy]

Marked as "Favorite". Well said, larstein! You've pretty much said it all. Take care.

[scooperss]

Yup mine too.

[mrvertigo13]

How can one look to the future and not look into the past? Why one and not the other? Is it possible to have a future, as we know it(or don't) by NOT looking into the past? And most pertinently, why is Biden obfuscating? Is it the idea that the country cannot afford to prosecute the Bush administration for fear it will upset the country or the world even? Is this the Ford ploy for pardoning Nixon?
Simply put: We are a country of laws. It is one of the reasons people from other parts of the world invest in us. It is why people look to us as standard bearers of decency. But all that has been shattered by the Bush administration. And us. He after all represents us and Bush is our face to the rest of the world then surely we have to follow the rule of law. And those laws were broken. We, as a country need to heal and id we forsake justice, Obama's election will mean nothing. For it was in the name of justice he was elected as well.

[jonguu]

Well put!

[trollsbwild]

Please don't rule out prosecuting this WH. The body of evidence available should decide if crimes were committed.

Hold them accountable.

[BlueBoomer]

Back in June 2007, candidate Joe BIDEN was asked by Diane Riem (sic) about "Impeachment' for GW and company.

He stated (paraphrasing) that he would pursue it as allowable by the constitution if the administration did anything in/toward invading Iran as was done re Iraq... He was pretty clear AND was the only one besides Kucinich to even acknowledge the "I" word.

If he had been our candidate, as I hoped he would be, I believe that a POTUS Biden WOULD have pursued criminal charges... BUT, as VP, he cannot make happen what the POTUS, i.e. Obama, doesn't want to happen, so-o-o...

Depending what else is on "Justice's" plate, pursuing the devil after he has been exorcised may not be seen to be as beneficial as other pursuits..­.

Personally, despite being stuffed to the gills with holiday goodies, I would nonetheless joyfully find room for and relish a big, fat pound of GOP flesh to start off the new year!

[Retrofuturistic]

If we couldn't get impeachment when we needed it, we certainly aren't going to get any prosecutions now....

[ThePharoahsApprentice]

This disgusts me about America - the blatant, arrogant hypocrisy.

3 things happened in the past week that reminded me of this..

1. I saw "The House Of Saddam" movie on HBO
2. Bagosora was found guilty of Masterminding the Rwanda genocide
3. I saw a docudrama on Manuel Noriega

American leaders always get away w/ crimes against humanity, but no one ever lets other leaders off the hook. It's not that Noriega was an angel, he's gotten what he deserves, It's that Bush 41, Reagan and such never paid the price for being international drug dealers and arms smugglers. When Noriega's "evil" couldn't be covered anymor - he decides he's going to rat on Bush and company - Bush 41 authorizes a military invasion of Panama. 1400 Panamanians were murder to cover up Iran-Contra. Did Bush 41 do any time? Not one minute. Neither will Bush 43 or Cheney. I'll be surprised if they ever see the inside of a court room

Cheney admits on TV that he gave the ok to torture - crimes that we prosecuted the Japanese for - yet, he'll never go to trial over it. The entire invasion of Iraq was illegal, 100,000+ murdered - Bush won't see a court room. I could go on w/ everything from CoIntlPro to 100,000+ murdered in Japan w/ the atom bombs.

Biden made it obvious, by his ambiguity, that he wants no part of it and neither does B.O. - the moral courage is sorely lacking at

[EllaBee]

I agree, I saw the House of Saddam as well. It was very hard for me to watch, a painful reminder..­.

[RealityCheque]

Great to see how smart these comments are. Right on! Food for thought... seriously consider why Obama's admin is not enthusiastic about prosecution.

My advice - don't think to hard. The simple answer is likely correct. They aren't that outraged, it is not very important to them. It's about power - not about the constitution. They have the power - so now lets move on.

Follow the logic of let's move on. Every criminal ever convicted of every crime, committed that crime in the past. Should we stop all criminal prosecutions?

Keep the pressure on!!! I dream of Cheney in Chains!

[karela]

Would you like the entire focus of government to be sucked up in going after the Bush administration or would you like all that energy focused on healing the economy, putting people back to work, ending the wars, developing a way away from foreign oil, healthcare for people when they're sick and education so our kids can get decent jobs in a global economy????? There's only so much energy to go around. We'd all like to smack the bad guys, but not if it means that we don't do things that need to be done to help the good guys----us and ours----have access to a good life. There's too much on the plate. We can't swallow it all and some things are more important than others. Life in the present and future is more important than punishment for things in the past. George W. and Cheney will have their opportunities to learn better in this life or another. There really is universal justice.

[CL38]

I think Obama said it best during the Presidential campaign when McCain announced that he was postponing his campaign to go back to Washington to help solve the economic crisis. Obama said something to the effect that he and McCain ought to be able to do more than one thing at a time.

The "entire" government doesn't need to focus on prosecuting Bush Cheney, etc. But genuine change needs to be based on holding the Bush Cheney administration accountable for profound (not minor) violations of our laws and Constitution that resulted in deaths, rendition, torture, etc.. We can't sweep this under the rug, ignore it or pretend like they aren't responsible for what has been done in our name. The world is watching to see what we will do.

[MIVOTE]

If you don't study and rectify history...­you (we, Americans) are doomed to repeat it! We must look back so it never, ever happens again.

[Truthsfire]

Santa, I've been SUCH a good boy this year (well, close enough, anyway), but I'll give up ALL MY PRESENTS this year and next if you'll just give me a video of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, and Gonzales being led away in orange suits and leg manacles to their minimum-5-year prison sentences, with no possibility for early parole, to be carried out in GenPop at a Federal penitentiary, for Christmas next year. It's all I ask.

[jlarue]

Santa, I will give up all my presents for THREE years to see this!

[Rosanneofpgh]

I'll give up my presents for FIVE years to see it!

[roshni]

I'll give up all my presents forever if I can watch Cheney being waterboarded.

[Helzapoppin]

ssssuuuuuu­uuuuuuuuuu­uuure Obama isn't ruling it out.

Obama doesn't have the b a l l s to do what is necessary to recover this country's reputation for justice.

[lily]

Your headline is very misleading.

Biden clearly was talking out of both sides of his mouth.

"Looking forward" = euphemism for "we don't care about Bush war crimes. After all, Obama voted for the FISA bill."

[Catothemuchyounger]

Exactly: the headline is VERY misleading. Biden is simply hedging his answers while being pinned down on the issue. This tells us nothing about what they are going to do.

I would be shocked if they prosecuted anyone over this. A very significant percentage of the country, perhaps a majority, are quite comfortable with doing nearly anything to get information out of people who are believed to be our enemies. This is not an issue the Dems can go to war with the Repubs over. Not if they want to make any progress on their domestic agenda.

[leftLibertarian]

It is clear, very clear, that Bush and Cheney have committed crimes. Now do your duty. Have them arrested and bring them to trial.