William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “I think the bottom line here is that the American people have made their views on this subject quite clear, and their…”

“I think the bottom line here is that the American people have made their views on this subject quite clear, and their views are they do not want Guantanamo terrorists brought here to our homeland. And that view has been reflected in legislation that was passed even in an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress during the last term. And I would suggest that there are good reasons that the American people feel that way, that they don't want terrorists brought here to our homeland. Part of that reason, I would suggest, is that the administration has not done a lot to promote confidence in its ability to handle these situations. They come up with one plan, they get criticism, and they back off. It's back and forth. And so we have had needless delays ever since this administration has been in office because, frankly, they have been inept when it comes to having a plan that deals with terrorists that the American people can trust. Now, maybe if we had a different history there could be some greater confidence in giving greater options, as the gentleman wants to do, or to having some other possibilities. But we cannot rewrite history, and the trust is simply not there. Instead, what we have are some rather petulant comments by the Attorney General saying that, well, they still want to close Guantanamo and they still want to try them in Article 3 courts even though the law is the other way and the opinion of the American people is clearly the other way.…”