Posted on 05/17/2015 8:15:48 AM PDT by maggief
President Obama is running out of time to fulfill his 2008 campaign pledge to close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility.
In an ironic twist, one of his last, best hopes for meeting the promise could rest with the man he defeated in his quest for the White House: Sen. John McCain.
While the Arizona Republican and 2008 GOP nominee is one of Obama’s harshest critics on foreign policy, he supports closing the controversial prison camp, and has proposed what could be Obama’s last shot at closing the prison. McCain’s Armed Services committee on Thursday passed a defense policy bill that would extend current restrictions on transferring detainees out of Guantánamo and restore ones from 2013, but also require the administration to submit a plan to Congress on closing the military detention facility.
The plan would include a case-by-case determination on the disposition of each remaining detainee, and address the legal challenges of bringing them to the United States. The administration would also be asked to spell out what additional legal authorities that would be needed, and how the Pentagon would treat future combatants captured under the laws of war.
If Congress approves the plan, the administration could have an opening to close the facility and achieve the closure of the facility that Congress has fought since Obama took office.
Detainees would have limited rights under the bill if transferred to the U.S., to allay concerns they would have the same rights as American citizens.
McCain on Thursday hailed the proposal as a "bipartisan compromise" and a "workable solution" crafted with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
I have no problem with john f’n mclame going to gitmo.
I second that!
I would disagree...with new relations...he merely can order DoD to vacate the Gitmo military area by January of 2017, and transfer remaining prisoners to some military structure within the states. With relations going to the present direction....why would you continue to operate Gitmo...other than using it as a prisoner complex?
Personally, it wouldn’t take more than twelve months for the Navy to build up some anchored barge contraption twelve miles off the coast of the US, and just situate the prisoners on some floating city....if leaving Gitmo was such a priority.
Supposedly, McCain is currently floundering in the polls. I would love to see Sheriff Joe Arpaio take his seat. America’s toughest lawman could become America’s toughest Senator.
McCain has been Obama’s faithful supporter and cheerleader since the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. I’m sure he will not fail him now.
If your last hope is john f’n mcshame than you are truly F$$KED!
I AGREE!
Keeping John at Gitmo just may help keep America stronger, you never know.
rest with the man he defeated
If by defeated you mean your opponent rolled over and played dead then okay.
Otherwise,I would rather Obama be headed to Gitmo. As a inmate.
Obamas true goal is to return Guantanamo to Cuba. He will do it by executive order next year
Obama wants to give Gitmo to Cuba.
Any question why I didn’t vote for this POS?
I figured he’d be just as bad as Obama. When you look at Libya, Syria, Guantanamo, and on and on, he’s worked hand in hand with Obama.
IMO< they created ISIS through extreme ignorance.
The Arab Spring, Muslim Brotherhood, al Qaeda, and ISIS have played these two like a banjo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.