Obama: Open to Witch Hunt Against Bush Administration – Updated

Not long ago President Obama indicated he would not pursue an investigation into the Bush administration on the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. Well, true to form he’s changed is mind. Maybe.

Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of a meeting in the Oval Office with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Mr. Obama said the Department of Justice is looking into the Bush-era memos that authorized the interrogation tactics and that he did “not want to prejudge” the outcome of that examination.

The president came close to endorsing an independent, bipartisan commission to examine the use of torture and other tactics in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Rather than open congressional hearings, which Mr. Obama said tend to break down into partisan recrimination, “a more sensible approach” would be a bipartisan examination that would include “independent participants who are above reproach.”

He cautioned that he was not saying such a commission “should be done,” but his positive words will almost certainly bolster calls from senior Democrats in Congress for a “truth commission” to look back at the policies in what President George W. Bush called the global war on terror.

This afternoon I caught a few moments of Obama’s remarks. He said he had a lot on his plate with the economy, bank rescues and the safety of Americans. If already has too much on his plate, why on earth would he sanction a witch hunt against officials of the former administration? I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t a response to former Vice President Cheney’s criticism of Obama and his policies. I certainly wouldn’t put it past him.

Update: No wonder Obama is open to going after the Bush administation. The CIA confirmed that their tactics prevented a 9/11 style attack in LA!