Ok, in a foreign policy debate, Obama could certainly have made more of it – but it’s generally not a pressing thing for the ‘floaters’. More like something they’d prefer was done better, at some point in the future – but only when it doesn’t look as if their mortgages/savings/pensions/credit cards/jobs are about to implode, thanks all the same.

Thanks for the article. I take it the 20,000 prisoners you say are held in US custody excludes those that have been extraordinarily rendered to third parties. where even the numbers held or deceased appear to be an unknown unknown? Perhaps to the advantage of the current administration.

I wonder how many voters read The Boston Globe?

Question 10. Is there any executive power the Bush administration has claimed or exercised that you think is unconstitutional? Anything you think is simply a bad idea?

Obama: “First and foremost, I agree with the Supreme Court’s several decisions rejecting the extreme arguments of the Bush Administration, most importantly in the Hamdi and Hamdan cases. I also reject the view, suggested in memoranda by the Department of Justice, that the President may do whatever he deems necessary to protect national security, and that he may torture people in defiance of congressional enactments. In my view, torture is unconstitutional, and certain enhanced interrogation techniques like “waterboarding” clearly constitute torture. And as noted, I reject the use of signing statements to make extreme and implausible claims of presidential authority.”

“The detention of American citizens, without access to counsel, fair procedure, or pursuant to judicial authorization, as enemy combatants is unconstitutional.”

“Warrantless surveillance of American citizens, in defiance of FISA, is unlawful and unconstitutional.”

“The violation of international treaties that have been ratified by the Senate, specifically the Geneva Conventions, was illegal (as the Supreme Court held) and a bad idea.”

“The creation of military commissions, without congressional authorization, was unlawful (as the Supreme Court held) and a bad idea.”

“I believe the Administration’s use of executive authority to over-classify information is a bad idea. We need to restore the balance between the necessarily secret and the necessity of openness in our democracy – which is why I have called for a National Declassification Center.”

I think there are two very good points that you make.

One is Obama’s expedience on this issue – almost skirting it completely. I understand that it’s a vote-loser rather than a vote winner, but surely Guantánamo defines the overreach of the Cheney-era?

Second is McCain’s expedience in soiling his record by appealing to his party’s right during the Primaries. McCain is desperately trying to frame himself as a maverick – yet his record over the last year suggests he’s just another Bush.

Hmmmm,

McCain mentioned the word once in a 2hr debate on foreign affairs. Obama never mentioned Gitmo, and only once mentioned torture when referring to McCain’s previous comments.

There’s a problem though – they both describe what’s going on there as torture and they both oppose it. So the discussion was short with both of them agreeing with each other.

Which bodes well for November on this issue.