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In reply to the discussion: The way back machine delivers the LOLs. [View all]eridani
(51,907 posts)Many Deal Critics Once Demanded 'Every Effort' Be Made to Free Bergdahl
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/24037-many-deal-critics-once-demanded-every-effort-be-made-to-free-bergdahl
epublicans are almost uniformly criticizing President Obamas decision to swap five Taliban fighters at Guantanamo Bay for the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the only American held hostage in Afghanistan. But many of the administrations loudest critics have previously demanded that it do more to bring Bergdahl to safety. Since his release, these lawmakers are emphasizing their criticism of Obamas handling of the prisoner exchange while downplaying the successful return of an American servicemember.
In the clearest contradiction, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told CNNs Anderson Cooper in February that he would be inclined to support an exchange of prisoners for our American fighting man, like the one Taliban officials had offered in 2012. He has since labeled Obamas deal ill-founded and a mistake.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) also thinks that the administrations decision to release these five terrorist detainees endangers U.S. national security interests and sets a precedent that could encourage our enemies to capture more Americans. But since 2011, Ayotte has issued multiple press releases and public statements calling on the Obama administration to redouble its efforts to find Bergdahl. She touted a provision in the Senates Fiscal Year 2015 defense authorization bill that presses Pakistan to fully cooperate in the search for SGT Bergdahl and specifically mentioned Bergdahl in her Memorial Day address.
We also must continue to keep Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who has been held prisoner by the Taliban for nearly five years, in our thoughts and prayers and I renew my call on the Defense Department to redouble its efforts to find Sergeant Bergdahl and return him safely to his family, she wrote just one week ago.
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee has also said that the U.S. must make every effort to bring this captured soldier home to his family. But appearing on Fox News just days after Bergdahls release, Inhofe criticized the administration for agreeing to free people who have killed Americans, people who are the brain power of Taliban.