I would suggest this. The intention was that this would clean up the VA episode and make the administration look “great”. Sadly, they never asked the Pentagon why the dimwit wasn’t listed as a POW, and never talked to the CIA...which indicates the Presidential staff doesn’t know much beyond their front door on anything, unless CNN broadcasts it.
So, onto damage. First, GI’s and Vets are infuriated with the mess created, and don’t believe any of the excuses given...which will cause more damage for the November elections.
Second, the Army can go fully ahead and charge the guy with several crimes, and the President is stuck allowing it to happen (he’d look like an idiot if he orders them to waiver Bergdahl).
Third, the Senate is going to come up and ask WHAT OTHER deals are you working presently that you haven’t talked to us about? You can expect this to consume both Republican and Democratic players.
Fourth, more gaming with Gitmo? No....this is it. They will drop the dozen other ideas they were playing with, and try to clean this up. Zero interest in Gitmo for the rest of time left.
All in all.....it’s the work of amateurs in the White House staff....who say they have connections to the CIA and Pentagon, when they don’t. Someone needs to be brought into the Senate....questioned....and suspended from pay for three months for this act.
When the motives are purely political in the mind of Obama and his ilk, there is no need to check down the line for problems. They embark on any action with the determination that any problems arising therefrom are going to be controlled, squashed and ignored.
They were so convinced that this country would be euphoric over Bowe’s return, it wouldn’t even bat an eyelash over those poor illegally detained GITMO prisoners.
They erred.