Obama's Torture Gambit
President's decision to fight release of torture photoes riles left
May 15, 2009
Last month, President Obama decided to release Bush administration memos that implicated former Bush administration officials in harsh interrogation techniques described by many as torture. While the left-wing supporters of the President applauded the move, they criticized him for not pursuing investigations and prosecutions of Bush administration officials.
Needless to say the same supporters on the left were disappointed when Obama decided not to release photographs of alleged abuses of prisoners by Bush Administration officials. Obama's decision comes after military generals warned releasing the photos may put soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq in jeopardy because of the potential uproar in the Muslim world.
While his decision is supported by most Americans, a recent Fox News Opinion Dynamics poll showed 77% of Americans believe releasing the photos will likely put US soldiers in danger, left-wing supporters, like Glenn Greenwald, have been severely critical of the decision, even going so far as to claim Obama is complicit in war crimes committed by the Bush administration.
The decision, and his decision to restart military tribunals for some suspects at Guantamano, puts President Obama in a difficult situation. Pleasing his base may mean putting US troops in harms way and going against the opinion of most Americans, which could badly damage his ability to pass other important pieces of legislation, such as healthcare reform and the Employee Free Choice Act if his approval rating falls because of it. Obama was elected largely on economic and domestic issue. Had the election been about national security policy, McCain may have won. McCain did win on voters for whom national security as their top issue. Although Obama's supporters are vocal and unyielding in their opposition to the techniques the Bush administration used on terror suspects, the public has seen it differently. CNN's recent poll showed 50% of Americans supported these techniques, even while 60% saw some, like waterboarding, as torture.
For Obama to be able to move forward on more progressive legislation elsewhere, it's likely he would have to "sell out" his left-wing base on issue like torture and national security. While this does not make his supporters happy, it's a political reality. If Obama is able to deliver on some other important issues like healthcare, Employee Free Choice, and a withdrawal from Iraq, this issue might become moot for many of his supporters when the President faces voters again in 2012.
In a game of political survival, it is sometimes the loyal base that is sacrificed.
