June 4, 2009

You’ve probably heard by now but according to a new USA Today poll, 65 percent of Americans do not want the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo Bay closed.

This is a major reversal from opinion during last year’s presidential campaign. Former Vice President Dick Cheney can take some credit for this as he has been relentlessly warning what could happen if these suspected and actual killers are brought to American soil.

Why should geography matter? The terrorists are secure at Gitmo where liberal judges have more difficulty in reaching them. If we brought them here there is a good chance some judge would order them tried and a lawyer would get them off. Then what? If even one of them returned to jihad and Americans died, the blood would be on the head and hands of this administration.

I’m with the majority: keep Gitmo open and keep the terrorists and suspected terrorists where they are. The question is: can President Obama afford to pay the political price?

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist in Washington, D.C.