Gates: Gitmo Deadline Was Smart Politics, But Won't Be Met (VIDEO)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged on Sunday that the Obama administration's efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay would likely not be completed by a self-imposed January 22 deadline.

But in several interviews on the Sunday talk show circuit, the Pentagon header defended the issuance of the deadline, saying the move was needed to stir political action on the contentious issue.

During an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Gates recalled that during a national security team meeting with the Obama transition team on December 7, the topic of closing Guantanamo by executive order was discussed

"And the question was, should we set a deadline?" Gates told George Stephanopoulos. "Should we pin ourselves down? I actually was one of those who said we should because I know enough from being around this town that if you don't put a deadline on something, you'll never move the bureaucracy. But I also said and then if we find we can't get it done by that time but we have a good plan, then you're in a position to say it's going to take us a little longer but we are moving in the direction of implementing the policy that the president set.

"So the deadline of January 22nd will not be met?" Stephanopoulos asked.

To which Gates replied: "It's going to be tough."

Gates offered similar remarks during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union."

With Republicans (along with many Democrats) in Congress forming a major roadblock to plans to transfer detainees from Guantanamo to domestic facilities, the Obama White House surely benefits from having its Republican Defense Secretary playing a public role on the issue. But at this juncture, the political damage has largely been inflicted. White House counsel Greg Craig - who internally lobbied hard for setting a strict time-frame for closing Gitmo - is reportedly out of the job and it's all but acknowledged that the deadline was both non-practical and a mistake.

Comments

[missouriwatcher]

Oh, the deadline could met if the Adminstration is serious about it. The problem is that they're letting the party of "no" do too much of the dictating, thus playing right into those conartists' hands. Nobody with even the brain of an earthworm believes that maximum security prisons in the continental U.S. could not hold these Gitmo prisoners. It is plain and simple that the GOP is only interested in stirring up trouble and inventing boogeymen where none exist. These clowns are the least patriotic and most dispicable of any other humans I am currently aware of.

[CAskeptic]

Maybe it is time for Gates to go. Can't close Gitmo, can't end the Afghan war. Shoots his mouth off about Iran to no avail.

[JDM73]

When will it be good politics to close the detention center at Bagram?

[DCBarrister]

When Barack W. Bush gets exposed by the media for being a GW Bush lackey, like he did with Afghanistan.

[ImissBush]

bush3 lives
:)

[JackRusselTerrier]

It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that"s important.

You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from you action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
Mohandas Gandhi

[cliffsiderock]

Liberal President, filibuster proof democratic congress. TELL ME! WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED SO THAT IT IS "IN YOUR POWER"? Agee or not in term of policies, the incompetence of your side amazes me! If FDR was anything like Obama, we would have hit Normandy, lost 9000 men in a matter of days, then said: "Oh well we tried. Let's go home."

[ImissBush]

backbone?
gonads?
principles?
shall i go
on

[mike63]

Another un-kept promise. I thought Bush was out of office? Oh, that was just campaign high-minded rhetoric.

[postman66]

Just like anything else reality and conditions force an intelligent person to adapt. The resistance from the Congress was ridiculous. They fueled a fear among Americans that GITMO prisoners would be walking around their neighborhood.

[SassySafrine]

Another uninformed person who only read the headline.

[DCBarrister]

Yet another lie from Barack Obama.

Don't blame me, I supported Hillary.

[SassySafrine]

Interesting anticipatory reporting, but it is not January 2010. The SOD only said it would be difficult.

From the President's Executive Order

Sec. 3. Closure of Detention Facilities at Guantánamo.
The detention facilities at Guantánamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than 1 year from the date of this order.

If any individuals covered by this order remain in detention at Guantánamo at the time of closure of those detention facilities, they shall be returned to their home country, released, transferred to a third country, or transferred to another
United States detention facility in a manner consistent with law and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/pdf/090122-HRF-gitmo-eo-rel.pdf

[postman66]

I think it was an admirable and lofty goal. I also think they are still working to close GITMO, however it's almost Oct. I don't see it happening by Jan. The resistance from some members of Congress was simply political. No prisoner has ever escaped from a US Supermax facility.

[cliffsiderock]

Then why would Gates and everyone in Obama's administration need to go on TV and tell people that "We'll miss the JANUARY deadline..."? i stress the word: "JANUARY". Why would he do that if January wasn't the deadline? You can post the same thing a million times more, no sane person is going to take your argument sseriously. You may as well tell people that your dog eat your Obama campaign promise. It is more believable.

[missouriwatcher]

Thanks, Sassy. The GOoPers only think an Executive Order has the force of law if it comes from one of theirs. lol

[Bitsko]

Yankees beat the Sox?!! Next year, Joe Girardi, next year!

[Lauralics]

.....it's all but acknowledged that the deadline was both non-practical and a mistake.....

-Interesting last sentence and I agree with it. While it may be desired to close Gitmo, making such a proclamation to the world (I believe Obama talked about it in Egypt as well) really downplayed the "issues" revolving around Gitmo. The previous Administration said it wasn't easy and Obama shrugged that off anyway and made promises he can't keep. Not good when you've got the "world" audience revved up for it's closing.

ps I don't believe the ol' move em' to another facility is what the "close Gitmo" crowd had in mind either.

[SassySafrine]

It is not January 2010.

From the President's Executive Order

"Sec. 3. Closure of Detention Facilities at Guantánamo.
The detention facilities at Guantánamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than 1 year from the date of this order.

If any individuals covered by this order remain in detention at Guantánamo at the time of closure of those detention facilities, they shall be returned to their home country, released, transferred to a third country, or transferred to another
United States detention facility in a manner consistent with law and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/pdf/090122-HRF-gitmo-eo-rel.pdf

Compliments of Hume

Besides speaking English was hard for Bush.

[SassySafrine]

Speaking of Barry, here are highlights from one of the greatest, Barry Sanders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysjr0IspY_M

[postman66]

The Human Pinball, thanks.

[Bitsko]

"Let's just win it and go home." -- Barry Sanders

[austin4]

Babygirl is all over the place,,,,she moves to fast to be human. She might be a computer program put online by the Neo Cons,,, during some Data Mining for the Far Right...............Just Saying

[loki]

I was wondering the same. Maybe here to stir up and invoke responses that will be plastered all over neo con sights and faux news as "typical liberal comments" . They do like to set people up.

[SassySafrine]

CrazyCassie has long admitted that the avatar is of a red-faced fake baby that someone tried to make look real and failed.

Fake Fake Fake

Fake Fake Fake

FakeyBaby FakeyBaby

Aw!

Sing it to KC & the Sunshine Band's Get Down Tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDB8firw4BI

[Bitsko]

Cass has a long history of forgetting her background stories.

[Strega]

ok my darlin's - dinner is ready; maybe i'll c'ya all later!

[ladynaga]

Enjoy, sis

[austin4]

Enjoy your evening

[Bitsko]

Enjoy! I'm sure it'll be good, because baby you cook!

[SassySafrine]

Fake Fake Fake

Fake Fake Fake

FAKEYBABY

FAKEYBABY

Aw!

[Strega]

LMAO!

[Strega]

Sis, I implore you - find another team to root for! ;-{

[ladynaga]

Sorry sis, I am nothing if not loyal

[Strega]

*sigh* i know, me 2 - that's why i luv ya

[Bitsko]

I'm surprised you don't like baseball if you feel that way. 3/4 of the game is about team loyalty.