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"Well, to because I don't have any proof that he's heading towards a pole. Also, because I don't have a bottomless well of outrage to apply to every word, phrase or funny look that may result in trouble later on.
. . . But I am willing to give Obama the ebenfit of the doubt. Others may not, but that's where I fall. "
I'm one of those who's not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt thanks, in large part, to his FISA turnabout.
We can debate his intent and parse language word by word, but the fact is he represented himself quite clearly as against telecom immunity, and then, when push came to shove, he wasn't against telecom immunity. So that suggests to me, based on experience of his words/actions, that he does not always follow through on what he appears to promise. Thus, a phrase like wanting to close Gitmo "ASAP" is a red flag for me. It allows this very bright man to default to the linguistic gamesmanship he's relied on before.
And no -- I don't have a bottomless well of outrage; I find outrage debilitating and futile. Please don't continue to dismiss all those who aren't inclined to "give him the benefit of the doubt" on that basis.