McCain Whacks Cheney: Torture Violated Law And Helped The Terrorists (VIDEO)

In a strong pushback against claims made by former Vice President Dick Cheney, Sen. John McCain insisted on Sunday that the use of torture on terrorism suspects violated international law, didn't work, and actually helped al Qaeda recruit additional members.

"I think the interrogations were in violation of the Geneva Conventions and the convention against torture that we ratified under President Reagan," said the Arizona Republican. "I think these interrogations, once publicized, helped al Qaeda recruit. I got that from an al Qaeda operative in a prison camp in Iraq... I think that the ability of us to work with our allies was harmed. And I believe that information, according go the FBI and others, could have been gained through other members."

The senator, appearing on CBS' Face the Nation, offered his assessment just hours after Cheney defended the use of torture during an interview with Fox News Sunday. Host Bob Schieffer pushed McCain to explain how it was that an al Qaeda member had told him that the use of torture helped them recruit.

Relaying a conversation that he and Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.) had with a jailed "high-ranking member of al Qaeda," McCain replied that pictures of detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib had allowed the terrorist organization "to recruit thousands of young men."

And yet, despite acknowledging that the use of torture was counter-productive and in violation of international law -- laws that have been ratified by the United States -- McCain still insisted that the Obama Justice Department was wrong to launch an investigation into the matter.

"I believe the president was right when he said we ought to go forward and not back," he said. "I worry about the morale and effectiveness of the CIA. I worry about this thing getting out of control and us harming our ability to carry out the struggle we are in with radical Islamic extremism."

"For us now to go back," McCain added. "I think would be a serious mistake."

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Comments

[dl63]

07:51 AM on 09/11/2009

While John McCain lost his chance at the history books with his failed presidential bid, he could still rescue his chance at history if he finally takes a serious stand on turture, opposes thos in his party, and works for prosecution of the crimes committed. That would definitely be historic, and it would be good for the country.

[Angry23]

04:16 PM on 09/02/2009

Send it to last year when people might have cared.

[sandboxreport]

02:38 PM on 09/02/2009

Breaking: Who Will Lead The Town Hallers? - http://sandboxreport.com/?p=423

[Margo Arrowsmith]

08:30 AM on 09/02/2009

McCain stands for the truth, but then he wuzzes out. Unfortunately that has been the story of his career.

We give him credit for what he does, but criminals are criminals

http://www.squidoo.com/meghanmccain

[regularmess]

03:28 AM on 09/02/2009

I think I? just saw all your credibility just resign as governor of a worthless state recently. Thanks for the input though.

It's been so long, but does anyone remember this? http://thehappeningstory.blogspot.com/. Give it 6 minutes and it'll change your mind.

[Stephen-in-Seattle]

12:20 AM on 09/02/2009

Don't go back? Why are these people any different than any other American? We need to go back and prove to the World that we will not stand for the transgressions of the Bush years.

Don't go back. We go back for parking tickets, parking fines, murder, etc. I don't pay a parking ticket and the "man" is on my back for years. Water board a few people, ahhh, let bygones be bygones.

I don't get it. Law is meaningless for the politicians and the rich. What the heck, let's not go back and make people pay parking tickets, let's not convict people of murder, let bygones be bygones. Heck, think of all the money we can save on court costs. (Then we'll watch heath expenses become 1/3rd of the economy!)

What am I missing here?

[xsm941f]

11:13 AM on 09/02/2009

Stephen: Great comment. Says it all. Every Representative should read it!

[ignorantwillyharper]

01:09 PM on 09/02/2009

I know this will ruin your day, but you just as well hear it from me...No one in congress reads anything. There, now you can be as miserable as me.

[Stephen-in-Seattle]

12:11 AM on 09/02/2009

Why is no one held to account for these actions? Oh, that's right, convict the military private, let the VP and the big wigs party. Welcome to America.

[chayefsky]

11:15 PM on 09/01/2009

Hmmm...welcome back, John?

[damyanky]

01:45 AM on 09/02/2009

Wow! When I read the headline on this piece, my heart skipped three beats. I thought McCain had truly channeled Tony Soprano.

[dhinds]

10:33 PM on 09/01/2009

Invading and occupying other sovereign countries creates enemies. Torturing their citizens assures the creation of still more of them.

[audit]

10:18 PM on 09/01/2009

no one should wonder why McCain Lost.

[zitlight73]

08:47 PM on 09/01/2009

One question Senator McCain, why did you then buckle under with the Military Commissions Act?

[ilse]

06:31 PM on 09/01/2009

Check out article about Michelle Bachmann sayiing her and other republicans should slit their wrists and be blood brothers and fight to make sure healthcare reform doesn't pass.

[NHGranite]

10:24 PM on 09/01/2009

For once, I think this woman should live up to her promise, at least the first proposed action. Please? I would suggest a nice warm tub to absorb everything.

[kwoodberryesq]

05:52 PM on 09/01/2009

There goes Short Arm John speaking out of both sides of his mouth again! If it is a violation of law, why would it be wrong for law enforcement to investigate it. With that logic should police investigate any crimes?

[SinfullySublime]

03:42 PM on 09/01/2009

McCain speaks from experience - why shouldn't Cheney do the same?

[theriondata]

08:20 PM on 09/01/2009

Cheney's only experience is getting deferments and sending others to fight his wars.

[zitlight73]

08:58 PM on 09/01/2009

He had "other priotiies". But at least he didn't have his family fanagle his way into the Air National Guard and then blow a million dollars worth a flight training and go AWOL.

[ct13]

02:58 PM on 09/01/2009

I am pleased that Sen. McCain has left no doubt that the actions taken during the last administration were torture, it hurt rather than helped the United States, the information obtained was unreliable, information could have been obtained in a more ethical & humane matter, and that it was a violation of the Geneva Conventions and the torture conference. I commend him, as a ranking Republican, to publicly acknowledge that the Bush-Cheney administration broke international law. To not investigate and prosecute, however, would further damage our image and credibility. How could we condemn torture used against our troops in the future, when we are unwilling to bring justice to those who used it in our names? Torture is not something we can sweep under the rug and forget about. It may be messy, it may not be easy, but investigating, and prosecuting, it the RIGHT thing to do. To do otherwise would be a grave injustice.

[mram50]

10:38 PM on 09/01/2009

It's the same as saying 'We know it's illegal and we agreed to never torture EXCEPT when it's politically expedient and might get me re-elected, but if we do break the laws don't come crying to me. I HAD to get re-elected so i could protect you from people already locked up behind bars.'
Hello...Do prisons not have guards these days?