During World War II, water cure was among the forms of torture used by Japanese troops (especially the Kempeitai) in occupied territory. A report from the postwar International Military Tribunal for the Far East summarized it as follows:
“The so-called ‘water treatment’ was commonly used. The victim was bound or otherwise secured in a prone position; and water was forced through his mouth and nostrils into his lungs and stomach until he lost consciousness. Pressure was then applied, sometimes by jumping upon his abdomen to force the water out. The usual practice was to revive the victim and successively repeat the process.” [19]
^ Judgement of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (1948). Part B, Chapter VIII, p. 1059.
Let's get clear what we are talking about. The CIA's version requires a doctor to monitor the oxygen level in the blood to make sure they're brought to the very edge of death before flipping them upright and allowing them to breath. Rinse and repeat 183 times. If that isn't torture, what is? Somehow....I suspect you would agree with me if that happened to you.
Let me also note that the use of waterboarding has not been limited to foreigners. It was used on an American citizen. Ronald Reagan prosecuted a Texas sheriff for doing the same.
Again, why do you want to give the likes of Obama this incredible power? Perhaps you should skip watching the next episode of "24" and take some time to read what Lord Acton said about power instead. You might learn something about human nature and governments.