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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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 ANALYSIS 
6

Obama's Photo Flip-Flop Has Political Roots

White House wasn't prepared for scale of torture outrage

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(Newser) – Barack Obama's about-face on the release of photographs of abused detainees has angered civil libertarian groups, who have denounced the president for turning back on campaign promises. But as Politico writes, the move demonstrated how carefully the administration is treading on an issue that has become explosive, subsuming George Bush's legacy and threatening Nancy Pelosi's career. "It will not go away, and wishing it away won’t work," says one Clinton-era aide.

Obama had not even seen the photos in question when his administration decided to comply with a court order to release them by the end of the month. Conservatives such as Sen. Lindsey Graham have praised the president for becoming "more realistic about the threats we face," but political concerns were never far from Obama's mind. "They have been extremely careful to see that they don’t lurch in regards to national security—prudence is everything," said one pollster.

A foot shackle is bolted to a floor covered by a decorative carpet, inside Interview Room 1, Cell Block A at Camp 5 maximum security prison, Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba.
A foot shackle is bolted to a floor covered by a decorative carpet, inside Interview Room 1, Cell Block A at Camp 5 maximum security prison, Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
President Barack Obama disembarks Air Force One at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. late at night on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
President Barack Obama disembarks Air Force One at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. late at night on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Craig Fritz)
President Barack Obama makes a statement on the situation in Sri Lanka, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, as he departed the White House for a trip to Phoenix, Ariz.
President Barack Obama makes a statement on the situation in Sri Lanka, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, as he departed the White House for a trip to Phoenix, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Hooded protesters dressed to resemble prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, march past the Justice Department Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Washington.
Hooded protesters dressed to resemble prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, march past the Justice Department Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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6 comments
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EddyTeach
May 14, 09 8:38 AM CDT
Obama has some class. He recognizes how divisive the memos have been for the political parties-- he knows that to release these photos would only keep the animosity hot between republicans who want to defend the previous administration and democrats that want to handcuff it. Reply
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Rob
May 14, 09 8:49 AM CDT
Damn. You are spinning as fast as you can. If Bush had done this you would slobber on about war crimes.
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+1
JonmarkP
May 14, 09 8:43 AM CDT
Screw Obama's politics - release the photos and put the people responsible on trial. Every God-damned one of them, from Bush down, contributed to the deaths of American soldiers. The "information" they were trying to get was a link between Iraq Al Qaeda, to help sell their Oil War. Reply
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+3
alienvv
May 14, 09 8:51 AM CDT
do not forget Pelosi...Bush was not alone in his 8 years...this country is not a monarchy after all- the whole congress, senate everybody is involved in the politics, everyone votes...this is what Obama has realized....but a little too late, now the pandora box is open.. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
May 14, 09 9:20 AM CDT
Hell, no, don't forget Pelosi. Don't forget any of them, regardless of party or rank in the government. I am not happy being likened to a barbaric terrorist because my government stooped to their level and I don't give a damn about party. If she was aware, as is being bandied about, then take her down with the rest of 'em. We need to clean "house" anyway and get allllll the old school members of both parties out of our government. They are far too comfortably ensconced in their positions. We need term limits and we need for our politicians to have the fear we are all living with today...the fear of losing their jobs immediately for lack of performance and/or lack of results.
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