Obama: "We will close Guantanamo, and restore habeas corpus."

[IndianaGreen]

At a just concluded event in Nashua, NH, Obama said: "We will close Guantanamo, and restore habeas corpus."

Hillary has been an enabler of the dismantling of the Constitution and our civil liberties, together with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Will Hillary close Bush's gulag and restore our freedoms? I seriously doubt it!

As a strong believer in the Constitution, which includes our Bill of Rights, I am moved by Obama's words, and I expect him to carry his words to fruition were he to become our nominee and President.

[goldcanyonaz]

1. You do know that the President needs the support of the Congress, right?

[Joe the Revelator]

3. So you'd rather a candidate not push to close Gitmo?

Thats what you're implying.

[Lerkfish]

5. are you saying the democratic-controlled congress wouldn't support that?

why not?

[liberalnurse]

8. How did he vote in 05

when Congress voted on t e issue. It was around June 05? I can't check at the moment as I'm on my PDA.

[goldcanyonaz]

13. For the Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment?

Both Clinton and Obama voted N

ETA!

Both Obama and Clinton have voted the same on all 3 2005 votes.

[VolcanoJen]

12. Sure do. And Obama might just have loooooong coattails.

:-)

[Hippo_Tron]

29. Only to permanently restore habeas corpus

In the meantime he can probably temporarily restore it by executive order.

[bvar22]

30. The "President" did NOT need the approval of Congress

to OPEN Gitmo or any of the other secret rendition sites.

A forceful President would NOT need the approval of Congress to close them.

[dailykoff]

2. Now that's not fluff!

Good catch! :thumbsup:

[Lerkfish]

4. not originally an obama fan, but if he holds to this, I will be.

now he's talking substance!

[SOS]

6. Our nation needs a course correction

and closing Guantanamo and restoring habeas corpus are absolutely essential.

Glad to hear Obama is saying this.

[wtmusic]

7. Finally, some hope.

His words resound with me too IG.

[NYCGirl]

9. He's been talking about this for some time:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/24/AR2007062401046.html

Barack Obama told a Texas crowd on Sunday that he wants the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainee facility closed _ a step the Bush administration is considering.

The Democratic presidential hopeful pledged to work side-by-side with the rest of the world on issues like nuclear proliferation, poverty, economic development in Latin America and the violence in Darfur.

"While we're at it," he said, "we're going to close Guantanamo. And we're going to restore habeas corpus. ... We're going to lead by example _ by not just word but by deed. That's our vision for the future."

-snipped-

Obama said, "There's one thing that we can still get right in (the Iraq) war," which is to commit to treating troops returning to the U.S.

"When our young men and women have served this country, I don't care if you were for the war or against the war, but they have served our country. They have done every single thing that we have asked of them, with bravery and valor, they should not have to beg when they come home to get the services they need," Obama said.

[aquart]

10. You can "expect" anything.

I would however, like to know which of his votes during his Senate tenure show courage. He can claim purity because he wasn't in the Senate for the stampede that hurt our civil rights. But what's he done against the stream since he's been there?

Words don't move me. What were his ACTIONS? Because if the lemmings are going to make this man president, I would like a little reassurance.

[wtmusic]

11. OK, Obama supporters are lemmings.

How arrogant.

[IndianaGreen]

14. Actions speak louder than words, and Hillary's vote on Kyl-Lieberman spoke loud and clear

that Hillary's concept of "strength" is to outdo men in their brutality and testosterone-driven foreign policy.

Thatcherism is not the answer!

[goldcanyonaz]

16. Obama's non vote on Kyl-Lieberman spoke spoke much louder to me.

[SOS]

18. Key votes, for your reassurance:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/key-votes/

[nevergiveup]

15. He has been saying this

for months. The guy's message is beginning to take. He is on a roll. If he can squeak by Hillary in New Hampshire the odds are good he will become the nominee.

[OHdem10]

17. It has been member of Senate and House in Democratic

Party who have voted with GOP on all War Issues.

It is not wise to promise too much.

I am an Edwards supporter. We should all be aware however
than when HRC seems cautious., She has been in WH and knows
first hand how DC works. When she may seem limited in a
promise---there is a reason. She is probably mentally counting
votes she could realistically expect in House and Senate.

The media calls this calculating.

[goldcanyonaz]

19. I wish I could recommend this post! Great post!

[dailykoff]

20. I'd rather have a leader than a calculator

but thanks all the same.

[MethuenProgressive]

21. Hillary Clinton: August '07: "I will close Guantanamo, and restore habeas corpus"

Pat , scientist from Northwest U - military commissions act - when can we expect that to be rescinded, Guantanamo closed

H: I agree with both those goals. I voted against Military Commissions act. Unconstitutional denial of habeas corpus. We will try to reinstate habeas corpus and reform military tribunals procedures in next few months.

If you can't get 60 votes, you can't get it through the Senate. Big problem right now, need Republican support. We must close Guantanamo. Increase political pressure.When I am President I will close Guantanamo and restore habeas corpus.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson/liveblogging-hillary-brea_b_59150.html

[IndianaGreen]

22. Hillary: "reform military tribunals procedures"

Those military tribunals should be abolished outright! This is the stuff of tyranny! Military tribunals were used during the Civil War, and their abuses subsequently led to Congress passing the Posse Comitatus Act, a law that has been undermined by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Summary trials and executions is the sort of stuff one sees in one of the tyrannies of the Third World, or in the Middle East. They are not American traditions!

This is the problem with Hillary, she only pays lip service to freedom, while enabling the Bush dictatorship.

[goldcanyonaz]

23. You just like Obama's lip service better. Present!

[MethuenProgressive]

24. Wow... that killed this Obama Cheerleading thread, didn't it?

:evilgrin:

[Anouka]

28. Why? It should be shut down.

Whoever does it, and persuades Congress to do it, deserves a Nobel Prize for Humanity, if it exists. Guantanemo is an insane miscarriage of justice and good intentions.

[Scurrilous]

25. K & R

:kick:

[peoli]

26. He has said these words for months. Glad you finally heard them

[Blue_In_AK]

27. Is he going to bring BushCo to justice?

That should be the question for all the candidates. I do not want to be Jerry Forded this time around.

[bvar22]

31. Both Hillary and Obama are powerful sitting Senators.

Why haven't they used their significant power and Celebrity status to introduce and sponsor legislation to FIGHT these outrages NOW?

Both of them can command time on the Talking Head shows. You can't watch Sunday mornings without becoming sick of Hillary. Why doesn't she use her celebrity Face Time to bring these issues TO THE PEOPLE NOW!

Dennis Kucinich is FIGHTING NOW!
He has sponsored numerous Bills in the House to bring Universal HealthCare to the People, withdraw from Iraq, safeguard our elections, and IMPEACH Cheney.

Where are Senators Clinton and Obama?
Why do they have to wait to be elected President, and THEN begin to fight?