White House: Some Soldiers Can Be Left Behind

In relation to Bowe Bergdahl, Obama has said many times since the swap “We don’t leave men and women in uniform behind”, or something to that tune. He even doubled down by adding “We don’t condition that.” Of course, the issue isn’t Bergdahl, but a failure to notify Congress and, #1, trading 5 high ranking Taliban members for him. But, what of another man in uniform?

(The Hill) The White House rejected comparisons Monday between Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, freed earlier this month by the Taliban, and a U.S. Marine currently being held by the authorities in Mexico.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he thought it was necessary to “draw a distinction” between Bergdahl, who went missing years ago in Afghanistan, and Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who accidentally crossed into Mexico on March 31 while in possession of loaded firearms.

“Sergeant Bergdahl was being held by the Taliban, who is engaged in an armed conflict with the United States and coalition forces,” Earnest said. “And so what was conducted to free Sergeant Bergdahl was a prisoner exchange. And this is something that has been part of winding down armed conflicts for centuries.”

Republicans have criticized Obama for working to engineer the release of Bergdahl while Tahmooressi remains imprisoned.

“It’s ironic that we can deal with the Taliban and get an American soldier released, but we can’t get a Marine across the border released,” Rep. Ted Poe. (R-Texas) told 1080-KRLD in Dallas.

And, of course, we get

Earnest said Obama was “certainly concerned” about Tahmooressi’s fate, but referred questions about diplomatic efforts to free him – and the administration’s confidence in the Mexican judicial system – to the Defense and State departments.

The Typical Obama Administration Deflection, “check with That Department”. But, hey, Obama was “certainly concerned”. Of course, Team Obama apparently doesn’t think they can use Tahmooressi for political gain. The fact that this could earn Team Obama some nice brownie points has missed their minds.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.

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