Posted 7:17 AM by steve

Cheney calling for Obama to declassify and release the details of what information was gleaned from 'enhanced interrogation' makes for nice theater... but on further analysis, it seems he is more concerned with his reputation than a genuine desire for the American people to know the details.

First, the methods employed and the information produced from those sessions are separate issues, releasing details of the former does nothing to render moot reasons for keeping the latter classified. A (reverse) analogy is that releasing pictures taken from a spy satellite does not obligate one to also release the technical specifications of the cameras used to take those pictures.

Second, while Obama's critics are likely correct that releasing details of our interrogation methods helps Al Qaeda better prepare to resist these techniques, the release of the information gained (and by omission, information that we didn't learn) would help Al Qaeda much more by letting them know which of their secrets have been compromised and which haven't been. It will also let them clear up any confusion as to who may have been responsible for any security breaches; revealing details on the information obtained from these sessions also lets Al Qaeda identify the source of the security breach.

Third, if he truly wanted us to know the details of what information was obtained through these sessions, why didn't he push for this information to be declassified before Obama took office? What is there about this information that suggests that it was critical to keep it classified up to but no later than Obama's inauguration?

Finally, if Cheney really felt the American people need or ought to know the details, as he presumably knows the details, why doesn't he just come out and tell us himself? Yes, the information is classified, but since when does Cheney let a technicality keep him from doing what he thinks is in the nation's best interests?

So... absent a good reason to release the information, are there any other conclusions to draw from this other than Cheney is more interested in either upstaging Obama or protecting his own image than he is in having the public learn the details of just what and wasn't learned from the interrogations?