Poll: Will Barack Obama prosecute The Bush Administration for its crimes?

[AndyA]

Poll question: Poll: Will Barack Obama prosecute The Bush Administration for its crimes?

On Countdown last night, Jonathan Turley made a statement that has stuck with me. He said (paraphrasing, transcript not online yet,) that if there's evidence of any crimes being committed, which there most certainly is, to ignore them in the interest of looking forward would make Obama culpable in those crimes.

Turley likened it to him showing up in court with a client who had been charged with a crime and stating, "Your honor, we need to look forward instead of backward..." He said he would be laughed out of the courtroom.

Question: Will Barack Obama uphold the law by prosecuting The Bush Administration for its crimes?

[graywarrior]

1. I don't think anyone really knows

[Connie_Corleone]

2. I don't know.

It's up to the Attorney General to do that. Even though Eric Holder is against torture, I don't know if he'll prosecute Bush/Cheney. I hope he is asked this question at his confirmation hearing Thursday.

They should be prosecuted, but I'm not holding my breath.

[blm]

3. Most Americans are already united AGAINST Bush. Why is protecting Bush considered an act of unity?

The mediawhores certainly want to move on - on to attacking Dem congress.

[sweettater]

4. I voted yes

but it is a hopeful yes. I saw Jonathan Turley on Keith last night. It was something to behold! He is adamant that * and his partners in crime be prosecuted.

[onehandle]

5. No. In fact, after watching Keith last night, I believe that Obama will pardon him.

It is clear that Bush broke the law.

If Obama doesn't pursue Bush, he will create doubt about himself. (this is what I got from a guest on Keith)

Obama has big problems to solve.

He will pardon Bush to "move on" and work on those problems.

I bet by year's end.

[AndyA]

6. When/if that happens, Obama becomes part of the problem, instead of part of the solution.

He will then be complicit in those crimes, and it will impact his Presidency.

Ford didn't go very far after pardoning Nixon.

[onehandle]

8. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

Prosecute - Huge effort resulting in massive multi-year distraction.

Pardon - Complicit. A possible Ford backlash, but if other problems are solved, maybe forgivable.

Do nothing? - Also Complicit. But also maybe forgivable if he succeeds on other problems.

[tazkcmo]

9. Distraction?

It's as if our government and our nation cannot multi-task! We all do it every day. And what does it distract us from doing? I call a hardy and loud BS! It is not a distraction, it's the freakin law! If I have to obey them AND be held accountable when I don't, then EVERYONE ELSE has to also.

[onehandle]

10. You obviously have no idea what a shitstorm it would be to prosecute a former President.

Bush is never going to be "held accountable."

Period.

[AndyA]

11. I think as the economy continues to deteriorate, as more and more lose homes,

wipe out their life's savings, get laid off from their jobs, and find it more and more difficult to get by, they are going to expect someone be held accountable for the mess that's been created. Americans themselves aren't responsible, we just did what we were told we needed to do.

I think Obama will pay a very high price for outing Bushco for the thugs everyone already knows they are, but I think the price for doing nothing or endorsing those actions will be even worse. People want change, and they know real change means more than a new face in the position.

[tazkcmo]

12. I agree Bush won't be held accountable

But I have a very good idea what a shit storm it would be if he were. Is avoiding a "shit storm" a reasonable reason for NOT prosecuting a person for crimes? Too much of a bother? Inconvenient? Does our Constitution mean that little? Give me a friggin' break. There is NOTHING more important than holding powerful people accountable in a supposedly free society no matter how inconvenient or shit stormy it may get. That is the weakest reason I have ever heard for not prosecuting Bush, because it'll be messy. Boo friggin' Hoo.

[onehandle]

18. You're complaining to the wrong person.

Talk to Obama. It's all on his shoulders now.

[Dawgs]

20. Is that true?

What about Congress?

[avaistheone1]

17. Prosecuting in not a huge effort.

This will be one of many of Congress' tasks, and Congress multitasks all the time.

This is a critical and important task. No one should get away with mass murder, and shredding our
Constitution. This is not some type of side show or vendetta. It is our duty and responsibility to follow the law and hold those who don't accountable especially those who violate it in the most profound manner as Bush/Cheney.

I hope Obama doesn't cop-out.

[slackmaster]

7. I hope he's too busy working on the economy, the wars, energy, education, and foreign relations

Priorities.

[tazkcmo]

13. The first priority is our Constitution

How can a President swear to uphold the Constitution then not uphold the Constitution? So much for "change", huh? Business as usual in Washington while the rest of us are jailed, cited, fined, registered and monitored.

[blm]

16. yes, while SENATE and congress investigate the crimes committed. Obama can cooperate with access

to documents that would be sought. That way he won't make the same mistakes Clinton did when he sided with protecting Bush1.

[krawhitham]

14. not until 2nd term

[SeaLyons]

15. I voted yes, but it's just wishful thinking....

all those criminals need to be held accountable.

[WI_DEM]

19. No, not any more than Hillary Clinton would have.

[wiggs]

21. He is smart and clever enough to find a way to expose and

punish administration misdeeds without prosecution. I think the extent of power abuse and the damage that has been done more than warrants an accounting...and, politically, Obama will want to make it clear how much the previous administration screwed up. So I think he will find some way to investigate and discuss what is WRONG.

However, he is a pragmatist and a uniter and he will not polarize the nation via a trial. He has a lot of problems to solve and will need everyone moving in the same direction to address them. Perhaps if he hadn't inherited multiple disasters...

I personally vote for jailtime and I think the case is easy to make and if enough energy is applied I think the details of misdeed would bring most of the public on board...just not enough of the public to avoid a national split.

[Sebastian Doyle]

22. The Bush Crime Family have been sucking this country dry and committing treason since the 1930's.

Isn't it about time they were held responsible for it? :grr:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

23. What Jonathan Turley said

about arresting a bank robber for a crime really resonated. It's not enough to look forward, hoping it will never happen again. Especially when the Current Occupant and Darth have admitted on TV that they "only waterboarded 3 people."