Following up on Ann’s post earlier today about the Guantanamo prisoners, I’m relieved to read in the Wall Street Journal today that although closing Gitmo is a “high priority” for the Obama administration,
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon Tuesday, Mr. Gates said the Democratic-controlled Congress would need to craft legislation resolving legal issues before the prison could be closed. Specifically, he said the bill would have to bar freed prisoners from seeking asylum in the U.S.
Anybody who has thought about it for more than two minutes realizes that closing Gitmo is complicated and isn’t going to happen any time soon.
Mr. Obama has pledged to close the prison, but aides say it is easier said than done. The president-elect will have to make decisions on issues such as the fate of prisoners who have been approved for release, but whom no other country is willing to accept.
Everything is easier said in a campaign than done in reality, as Mr. Obama will learn again and again and again. However, he has a lot of passionate support from people who know nothing about anything, so he can probably get away with keeping it open. In fact, his most passionate supporters probably wouldn’t notice.