# Obama is already starting to keep his campaign promises... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 10, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032 "2008-11-10T14:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/1 "2008-11-10T14:20:04Z")
…by [closing Guantànamo Bay.](http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Barack-Obama-Guantanamo-Bay-Prisoner-Trials-President-Elect-Plans-US-Terror-Trials/Article/200811215148045?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_7&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15148045_Barack_Obama_Guantanamo_Bay_Prisoner_Trials%3A_President-Elect_Plans_US_Terror_Trials) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/2 "2008-11-10T14:41:36Z")
there’s a serious factual error in this article: > [@](#): > > But Republican\*\* Adam Schiff\*\* of California, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and **former federal prosecutor** , said: “Establishing a regimen of detention that includes American citizens and foreign nationals that takes place on US soil and departs from the criminal justice system… would be very difficult.” Everyone knows that [Adam Schiff](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0013526/) is the former D.A. for Manhatten. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/3 "2008-11-10T15:07:49Z")
The more I read about Obama, the more I’m forced to conclude that he’s a guy that Gets Stuff Done and doesn’t care to spend much time on politicking. Complete opposite of the current-soon-to-be-former administration. Frankly I’m amazed he made it to the general, much less won. If he can pull this off, that’d be incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/4 "2008-11-10T15:10:07Z")
There’s really no debate, but yeah. I’m honored to have been a part of what got him there and I’d love to continue to work towards making this a better place to live. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/5 "2008-11-10T15:14:26Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > The more I read about Obama, the more I’m forced to conclude that he’s a guy that Gets Stuff Done and doesn’t care to spend much time on politicking. Complete opposite of the current-soon-to-be-former administration. Eh? The current Admin has been characterized by Getting Stuff Done and pretending politicking is unnecessary because what they want to Get Done falls within the president’s authority anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/6 "2008-11-10T15:25:40Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Eh? The current Admin has been characterized by Getting Stuff Done and pretending politicking is unnecessary because what they want to Get Done falls within the president’s authority anyway. Everything they’ve done has served their political ends. It’s been nothing but deceit and manipulation in pursuit of money and power. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/7 "2008-11-10T15:39:25Z")
He’s doing the right thing, even though he knows that one or some of those bad guys might ultimately get loose and wreak havoc here. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/8 "2008-11-10T15:50:38Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > He’s doing the right thing, even though he knows that one or some of those bad guys might ultimately get loose and wreak havoc here. What “bad guys” ? It’s not like we cared if our victims were guilty of anything. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/9 "2008-11-10T15:50:45Z")
No debate here, but: **WOOHOO!** ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/10 "2008-11-10T15:55:29Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > What “bad guys” ? It’s not like we cared if our victims were guilty of anything. I doubt even Buschco could so fuckup that all the GTMO prisoners are good guys. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/11 "2008-11-10T16:08:40Z")
As [a TPM reader pointed out](http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/243726.php), today [Obama meets with](http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/11/obama_to_get_his_first_look_at.php) an aggressive, unpopular world leader without preconditions. The worst fears of the wingnuts, already realized. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![nootlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/49beb7/32.png) [@nootlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nootlin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/12 "2008-11-10T16:11:29Z")
So Gitmo is closed, and something bad happens, and Bu_shites_ can claim that it was necessary all along, and… and this kind of argument is known as idiotic, and these people known as idiots, imosho. Throw a hundred stones, hit 99 good people in the face?? ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/13 "2008-11-10T16:11:43Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > As [a TPM reader pointed out](http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/243726.php), today [Obama meets with](http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/11/obama_to_get_his_first_look_at.php) an aggressive, unpopular world leader without preconditions. > > The worst fears of the wingnuts, already realized. 😃 We’re doomed. :p:p:p ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/14 "2008-11-10T16:13:30Z")
Obama has done nothing-- he’s not president yet. And the article isn’t clear on whether he will actually close Gitmo. Where will these detainees be held: > [@](#): > > A third group of high-risk cases may go before a new court designed to handle sensitive national security cases, according to advisers and Democrats involved in the talks. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/15 "2008-11-10T16:18:43Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Everything they’ve done has served their political ends. It’s been nothing but deceit and manipulation in pursuit of money and power. 😕 That’s not “Getting Stuff Done”?! ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/16 "2008-11-10T16:44:55Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Obama has done nothing-- he’s not president yet. Umm. Actually, he _has_ done something. He established the ‘Office of the President-Elect’, complete with a fancy, official looking logo and everything. (And a website! Can’t do anything without a website, you know.) Oh, and he completely ripped Nancy Reagan a new one. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/17 "2008-11-10T16:48:36Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > Oh, and he completely ripped Nancy Reagan a new one. > > :rolleyes: He slipped on that and apologized to her personally. I’m sure NR has gotten over it. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/18 "2008-11-10T17:00:26Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > He’s doing the right thing, even though he knows that one or some of those bad guys might ultimately get loose and wreak havoc here. Throw me in jail and torture me for a few years and you have a new enemy and a whole family of enemies. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/19 "2008-11-10T17:07:29Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > I doubt even Buschco could so fuckup that all the GTMO prisoners are good guys. I fully believe Guantanamo is an affront to human rights, to decency, to justice, and a step back from just about anything good our species has striven towards since we first picked up tools and became homo sapiens. However, I figure that even if a lot of the people (and I do believe most of this people are guilty of nothing except being in the wrong place at the wrong time) at Guantanamo aren’t bad people. They probably are now. I know I would be. I don’t know about you, but if some fucked up government abducted me and took me from my home my family and my friends, and possibly tortured me for 5 fucking years I’d be out for vengeance. Oh yes, I would make them pay. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032/20 "2008-11-10T17:14:09Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > I don’t know about you, but if some fucked up government abducted me and took me from my home my family and my friends, and possibly tortured me for 5 fucking years I’d be out for vengeance. Oh yes, I would make them pay. I think it’s closer to 7 years than 5, at least for some. We may be stuck with these guys for many years to come as some of them have no country that is willing to take them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032.md?page=2)