Obama On Investigating Bush: I'm Looking Forward But "Nobody's Above The Law"

During tonight's presidential news conference, HuffPost White House correspondent Sam Stein asked President Barack Obama about a proposed congressional 'truth commission' into the Bush administration's conduct.

Below is the video and transcript:

STEIN: Thank you, Mr. President. Today, Senator Patrick Leahy announced that he wants to set up a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate the misdeeds of the Bush administration. He said that, before you turn the page, you have to read the page first.

Do you agree with such a proposal? And are you willing to rule out right here and now any prosecution of Bush administration officials?

OBAMA: I haven't seen the proposals, so I don't want to express an opinion on something that I haven't seen.

What I have said is that my administration is going to operate in a way that leaves no doubt that we do not torture, that we abide by the Geneva Conventions, and that we observe our traditions of rule of law and due process, as we are vigorously going after terrorists that can do us harm. And I don't think those are contradictory; I think they are potentially complementary.

My view is also that nobody's above the law and, if there are clear instances of wrongdoing, that people should be prosecuted just like any ordinary citizen.

But that, generally speaking, I'm more interested in looking forward than I am in looking backwards. I want to pull everybody together, including, by the way, the -- all the members of the intelligence community who have done things the right way and have been working hard to protect America and I think sometimes are painted with a broad brush without adequate information.

So I will take a look at Senator Leahy's proposal, but my general orientation is to say let's get it right moving forward.

Comments

[zitlight73]

03:32 PM on 02/10/2009

Unless Cheney and Bush had some kind of deal in place I don't think they would have ceded power. They could have suspended elections on the flimsiest excuse, maybe staged riots over the economy. Remember they spied on every single American,about three weeks ago a NSA whistle blower testified to that. That little news item got a fraction of MSN time the Phelps bong issue did. Taking bits and pieces of personal communication out of context and using the likes of Fox and Drudge they could have easily made up scandals involving anyone. If a person has been in politics for any length of time they have probably met with some questionable people and maybe made some questionable deals.

[lydiajean]

02:06 PM on 02/10/2009

Let's look at ACORN and Ayers. too.

[BoydReed]

02:17 PM on 02/10/2009

Your tinfoil hat needs adjusting.

[gbrooks]

03:48 PM on 02/10/2009

Already been done, or did you miss that?

[edwcorey]

02:03 PM on 02/10/2009

"What I have said is that my administration is going to operate in a way that leaves no doubt that we do not torture, that we abide by the Geneva Conventions, and that we observe our traditions of rule of law and due process, as we are vigorously going after terrorists that can do us harm. And I don't think those are contradictory; I think they are potentially complementary."

Then why is the Justice Department still using the "state secrets" cover for the Boeing case?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR2009020902423.html

And why is Congress more interested in pro athletes taking HgH and steroids when the Bush administration has tortured, corrupted Justice, killed tens of thousands, destroyed the economy, oversaw the biggest disparity in wealth and income since slave raiding was invented, and possibly contrived the fall of civilization? Oh, and by the way, re "looking forward": I thought you said a president should be able to do more than one thing at a time. Or was that your other face talking?

[BoydReed]

02:24 PM on 02/10/2009

There are still a lot of issues to be combed over, and some ridiculously complex webs that must be untangled, before definitive answers can be given on any of these fronts. Also, it sets a dangerous precedent to formally announce that you will be investigating your predecessor's administration. What do you think will happen the next time a Republican becomes President?

Oh, and by the way, re "looking forward": Obama *is* doing more than one thing at a time. He's dealing with Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, the stimulus package, TARP, education, renewable energy and the environment. ALL of those have been publicly discussed by the President in the last 24-48 hours.

The preceding, in the aggregate, could be called.....A CLUE. Please, get it, or something like it, before you post next time.

[walktheshore]

10:31 AM on 02/28/2009

Wrong, It sets a much more dangerous precedent to stick your head in the sand under the pretext that he has too much on his plate and he's doing all these much much more "important" things that require his "personal" time somehow. They don't. The fact is, an investigative commission doesn't require Pres. Obama's continuous or even daily time at all.

To ignore the possible crimes and malfeasances of a previous administration that has left all the imprints of unconstitutional and criminal behaviour in so many areas over most of its 8 years in office would be a crime in itself. And again, the most dangerous precedent of all.

Collude in cover-ups through negligence or fear of your enemies? No way. Justice delayed, is justice denied. Now more so than ever. We cannot "move forward" with integrity or moral value until this cleansing happens.

[grf67]

01:26 PM on 02/10/2009

Nobody is above the law. Let the new Justice Department do its work. Start with cheney, rumsfeld, rove, and gonzales. Then go to the old Justice Department.

[BandsofBlack]

01:46 PM on 02/10/2009

Gee... the new justice department is already doing it's work... And it doesn't bode well for all that change we were promised:

Obama fails his first test on civil liberties and accountability -- resoundingly and disgracefully

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/09/state_secrets/index.html

*****

The 180-degree reversal of Obama's State Secrets position

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/10/obama/index.html

*****

You can forget prosecutions for torture orders

http://crooksandliars.com/cernig/you-can-forget-prosecutions-torture-orders-

*****

Justice Department Stands Behind Bush Secrecy In Extraordinary Rendition Case (2/9/2009)

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/38695prs20090209.html

[zest]

01:23 PM on 02/10/2009

It's not Obama call to investigate Bush; let the judiciary do its work.

[theresedefarge]

01:45 PM on 02/10/2009

But it WAS Obama's call to appoint the Attorney General he thought would best suit his purposes.

[greyhound2]

01:14 PM on 02/10/2009

An old rule is that anytime you use the word "but", everything preceding that word is a lie. For example, "Nobody is above the law, but we need to look forward." Translation: Don't bring those questions to my attention.

[spartanmom]

01:07 PM on 02/10/2009

Sam, and all ye posters, we are oddballs according to Ari Fleisher.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/10/fleischer-obama-media/

How upset are we?

[Tom Payned]

01:06 PM on 02/10/2009

He's still wishy-washy on this subject, giving a Harvard Law School kind of answer. If indeed he believes in the Geneva Convention, he would be actively encouraging his AJ to investigate, especially after Cheney's trumpeting and crowing of his participation in getting and giving authorization for his "1984"ish euphemism enhanced interrogation techniques. A euphemism any country's leader could use as a justification for their own method of torture.

We are supposedly the moral leader of the world. If our vice president publicly struts his stuff like a proud peacock, and walks away without any punishment, how can we then criticize other leaders?

I'm still waiting for a clear signal that despite all of the economic tragedy Bushco left us, there are other problems just as important, one being the status of the U.S. in the world and within our own borders.

[seted]

12:22 PM on 02/10/2009

We finally get the chance to set the record straight and all we get is more closed door politics.

[DuPageDem]

11:09 AM on 02/10/2009

Non-answer. You're not fooling anyone with this, Mr. President. Where's the change?

[AGarcia]

12:42 PM on 02/10/2009

Don't you just love conservatives talking about being disappointed with President Obama and his "change". This is the change I voted for. Enjoy.

[BandsofBlack]

01:49 PM on 02/10/2009

I'm a liberal.

THIS is not the "change" I voted for... It is no change at all.

Justice Department Stands Behind Bush Secrecy In Extraordinary Rendition Case (2/9/2009)

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/38695prs20090209.html

****

Obama fails his first test on civil liberties and accountability -- resoundingly and disgracefully

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/09/state_secrets/index.html

*****

The 180-degree reversal of Obama's State Secrets position

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/10/obama/index.html

*****

You can forget prosecutions for torture orders

http://crooksandliars.com/cernig/you-can-forget-prosecutions-torture-orders-

*****

[theresedefarge]

01:50 PM on 02/10/2009

Don't be absurd. As as been pointed out elsewhere, it is not conservatives but rather Obama's "most ardent supporters" who are now giving voice to their sense of disappointment and betrayal.

[BandsofBlack]

11:01 AM on 02/10/2009

Kinda funny that when this article was posted the following article completely disappeared off the page:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/09/obama-maintains-bush-posi_n_165376.html?show_comment_id=20684475#comment_20684475

It's also covered by these sites:

Obama fails his first test on civil liberties and accountability -- resoundingly and disgracefully

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/02/09/state_secrets/index.html

*******

"You Can Forget Prosecutions For Torture Orders Now"

http://crooksandliars.com/cernig/you-can-forget-prosecutions-torture-orders-

*****

Justice Department Stands Behind Bush Secrecy In Extraordinary Rendition Case (2/9/2009)

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/38695prs20090209.html

[AGarcia]

12:43 PM on 02/10/2009

Whistling pass the graveyard...

[JohnHKennedy]

10:55 AM on 02/10/2009

Why isn't Kucinich calling for a Special Prosecutor?

I really like Kucinich, BUT He has been very silent since he got re-elected with impeachment advocates donations. He seems to be refusing to discuss accountability for Bush and Cheney. WHY?

His other goals are admirable but he should not ignore accountability. The future of our country needs his voice now.

Appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate & Prosecute

What Sen. Leahy wants is a truth commission that will cover up the past. What we need to be able to move forward is a Special Prosecutor who will investigate, indict and prosecute all who broke the law.

PAY ATTENTION FOLKS:
From Obama's press conference last night.

"my view is also that nobody is above the law. And if there are clear instances of wrongdoing, that people should be prosecuted just like any ordinary citizen," Obama said.

Sounds to me like Obama is for prosecution.

BUT, that like FDR, Obama needs you to
MAKE HIM DO IT!

Everyone nationwide that believes our troops who died in Iraq were murdered for the Bush/Cheney WMD lies needs to

TELL YOUR CONGRESSMAN, the Justice Department and Obama to
APPOINT A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
and
Investigate, Indict and Prosecute all who broke the law.

All Peace & Justice groups who really care about our troops should be in the streets weekly until a special prosecutor is appointed.

The ALCU should (to redeem itself for failing to support impeachment) now demand a special prosecutor.

[GraceNeeded]

10:22 AM on 02/10/2009

The same day I saw Frost/Nixon, I happened to catch Vice Pres. Cheney in his last interview with Jim Lehrer. It was ironic, in that, he used similar language to Nixon in the film to exonerate their administration from any wrong doing. HE said something like this, "It wasn't torture we used in interrogating suspects, because the United States government doesn't torture." This was similar circular reasoning to Nixon in the film saying "It can't be illegal if the President orders it." Interestingly, the other part of Cheney interview was he never responded to the first part of the same question, which was asking if he viewed his Vice Presidency as much more powerful than past ones and if so, should be equally accountable for its failures, which is when the issue of interrogation and torture surfaced. In terms of accountability, he lauded Ford for pardoning Nixon of all criminal offense. Personally, I am all for holding our leaders accountable like Blagonovich, as well as Gov. Palin for advising her husband and advisors to ignore subpoenas, etc. . If they take an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution, then they should be held accountable when they don't, or our laws don't mean much. Transparency and accountability are significant contributors in building trust, integrity and respect, not only in government, but especially in churches where we are supposed to uphold God's laws. What does our democracy or faith have to offer others if we lack trust and integrity?

[spartanmom]

12:42 PM on 02/10/2009

Cheney was a Rumsfeld and Nixon protege

[LucieLee]

09:53 AM on 02/10/2009

That was a good question Sam, and a great answer. President Obama answered it the best he could, and as I would have expected him too.

[Fenianheart]

09:39 AM on 02/10/2009

It was great to see Sam picked at the press conference!

I understand that President Obama is very clever and strategic. I truly hope that the comments about looking forward are simply rhetoric. If, indeed, there will be no delving into "possible" war crimes because these deeds lie in the past, I think it only proper to release all of the inmates at Gitmo, and remove all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. After all, that is all part of the past.

[spartanmom]

09:49 AM on 02/10/2009

Obama's the pres. He gets to stand on the top of the hill and gaze steadfastly towards the future.

Meanwhile out of our sight, in the shadow of the hill, his minions are mucking out the stables