House Democrats...Gitmo Terrorists? Sure, Bring 'Em To The US

At least they are now on record as to where they stand.

Handing President Barack Obama a partial victory in his effort to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, House Democrats on Thursday repelled a Republican effort to block transfer of any of the detainees to the U.S.

Instead, by a 224-193 vote, the House stood by a Democratic plan to allow suspected enemy combatants held at the controversial Guantanamo facility to be shipped to U.S. soil — but only to be prosecuted for their suspected crimes.

The Guantanamo restrictions were attached by House-Senate negotiators on a $42.8 billion homeland security appropriations bill.

President Barack Obama has ordered the facility closed in January but has yet to offer a plan to meet his deadline. cm-bd

Democratic leaders had to push hard to win the vote because many Democrats two weeks ago had cast a nonbinding but politically safe vote against any Guantanamo detainee transfers. But several Democrats from swing districts said they saw little political risk on Thursday’s vote.

“It’s a non-issue. Inside the beltway stuff,” said first-term Rep. Dan Maffai, D-N.Y. “People care about jobs, the economy, health care.”

Well, yes and no. Is this going to be the one issue that defeats any particular candidate? I doubt it. What it will be is a very stark example of why Democrats simply can't be trusted with power, especially on national security.

"Democrats Bring Terrorists To The United States" is one of those easy to understand things that people hear and think, "you know, that's not a good idea". It will be something that can be hung around the necks of Democrats across the country (NYC, SF, et al excepted) and help make people feel uncomfortable about the party in general.

The other reason you know it's a bad issue for Democrats, they are already talking it down. Nothing to see here, move along. The stenographers in the MSM will help as they always do but you can bet Republicans are already writing the commercials for next year.

Democrats: The best thing Republicans have going for them.

posted by DrewM. at 05:21 PM

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