Behind Obama's wavering on terror trials, critics see politics
The Jan. 19 special election of Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., demonstrated to skittish Democrats that the decision to prosecute the suspected Christmas Day underwear bomber in civilian court was a polarizing campaign issue.
David Lightman and Marisa Taylor, McClatchy Newspapers
As the White House reconsiders the decision to prosecute the five alleged plotters of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in civilian court, the likely change of course seems designed to protect vulnerable Democrats in Congress more than it is to improve the chances for conviction.
With public dissatisfaction with the Obama administration at record levels, some Democrats see trying the alleged terrorists in military court as a way of blunting the issue and helping to preserve the party's large majorities in the House and Senate.
The Jan. 19 special election of Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., demonstrated to skittish Democrats that the decision to prosecute the suspected Christmas Day underwear bomber in civilian court was a polarizing campaign issue.
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Requiem for a Lightweight President, Michael Brenner, Huffington Post
Our last, forlorn hope it that we avoid the worst. That this confused, self-absorbed man just hangs on long enough for those frightening forces to expire from an overdose of their own noxious eruptions.
It's not about positive change any more; it's about warding off calamity.
