Lindsey Graham: "Rahm does not want Detainee Photos Released"

[SuperTrouper]

Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday, that the White House had assured him that the president was still committed to preventing the release of photos showing detainee abuse -- and that he would prefer Congress take the lead.

Speaking at a hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder, the South Carolina Republican relayed a message from Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel that the president was not backing down on the issue.

"I just talked with the White House a moment ago, with Rahm Emanuel," Graham said. "And he has indicated to me that the president would not let these photos see the light of day. That he would prefer the Congress to act.

Graham's remarks come just days after the Senate rejected an amendment, offered by Graham and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), that would have allowed the Secretary of Defense sole authority to determine the release of the controversial photos. Unable to get it attached to the war supplemental, Graham now says that he has assurances from Majority Leader Harry Reid that the measure will be considered as a stand-alone bill.

When that happens, the South Carolinian says that he will have the White House's full support in the matter. And during his brief questioning of Holder on Wednesday, Graham wondered if the Attorney General would follow suit.

"Do you agree with me that it would be the preferred route in terms of impressing the court if Congress would act on this subject matter rather than executive order?" Graham asked at one point.

"Yes," responded Holder. "I think that having Congress act would be a preferred way."

"I have been assured by Rahm Emanuel and yourself, I think, that the president's position is to not let these photos see the light of day," Graham added, asking Holder later if he thought the bill would be the "best way to protect the troops."
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So for now, no filibuster from Lieberman and Lindsey...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/17/graham-rahm-doesnt-want-d_n_216886.html

[babylonsister]

1. Sounds like it's the prez who doesn't want them released-Rahm

was the messenger.

[SuperTrouper]

2. I agree. Let Lindsey think that his huffing and puffing (and LiebeRat's whining)

impressed Obama...

[masuki bance]

12. I would hope so. Rahm is not the boss. nt

[babylonsister]

14. No kidding. That's why the headline is misleading; I just

thought I'd point that out.

[Still Sensible]

3. Simply put, the President needs Congress or a Court

to force the release of those photos. It's the politics of the thing. If he releases them, some of his key military and vocal congressweasels will accuse him of putting American forces in jeopardy by "this ill-advised" action... and that is not a political price he is willing to pay. Releasing the memos was a big deal and a positive... and he didn't have to pay much of a price for that. Pictures on the other hand--using the Abu Ghraib photos as a comparison--are likely much more inflammatory and would give those type of critics some traction. He has seemingly built up a certain level of trust among much of the military so far and probably believes if this is done by his hand it would be a step backward in his relationship with the military leaders, military families and the troops.

[SuperTrouper]

4. A very good point that you are making. I think Obama's instinct is right on target here.

[chill_wind]

11. Hoyer is saying his "instinct" may be to sign an executive order to suppress them.

Wed Jun 17, 6:51 AM

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama may soon sign an executive order to block the release of photographs depicting abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, a senior congressman said Tuesday.


http://ca.entertainment.yahoo.com/s/afp/090617/usa/us_attacks_politics_obama_intelligence_photos

[Thrill]

5. Obama said himself, he doesn't want them released. Why is this news?

[SuperTrouper]

6. Because Lindsey wants to get his name out there...

[PurityOfEssence]

7. What the fuck matter does it make?

Is Obama really a spineless figurehead who lets his cocksure hit-man run the country, is he hiding behind the plausible deniability of subordinates or is he waffling on an issue that's VERY IMPORTANT, and is thus simply amateurish?

He shouldn't have brought something like this up if he wasn't going to follow through; it was simply a major blunder of uncertainty and sloppiness. By bringing it up, he's an enabler, he focuses the spotlight on something that was effectively gone from the public mind, he unleashes wild speculation about what IS there, he pisses off reactionaries for dragging the country through the mud, and he just looks lame.

I am getting SO sick of hearing that everything good and right is Obama's doing, and everything bad is the work of misguided subordinates. It's his administration, and it's his responsibility. The near constant refrain of somehow actually being for things (repealing DOMA, proper health care, financial accountability) while effectively moving the other way is tiresome. To be repeatedly given the excuse that it's the legislature's job is a flimsy shield from responsibility, and an admission of ineffectuality. That's not what most of us voted for; we voted for CHANGE. The word was used over and over and over again, yet we're getting a heaping helping of THE SAME in many key areas, like religion, health and banking/investment buccaneering.

[frylock]

8. fuckin a!

:applause:

[Cha]

9. Fuck

No.

[chill_wind]

10. The DOD war criminal torturers don't want those pictures released.

Therefore Obama's abrupt change of heart. For a while there, he was forgetting who runs things in Washington.

[masuki bance]

13. Are you saying that if Obama really wanted to release them,

he couldn't? That's just a variation on the bad subordinate excuse.

[chill_wind]

17. Not at all. He could release them.

And had originally telegraphed that he in fact would.

[ProSense]

15. Graham said the same thing about Hillary

GOP Senator: Hillary Said Releasing Detainee Photos Will Endanger Diplomats Around The World

Graham is desperate.

[wyldwolf]

16. how surprising! ANOTHER bullshit headline from the HuffPoop

Headline: Graham: Rahm Doesn't Want Detainee Photos Released

Story: Speaking at a hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder, the South Carolina Republican relayed a message from Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel that the president was not backing down on the issue.

HuffPoop thinks you are stupid.