Water boarding is torture. Torture is not permitted for any reason what so ever. No information gained through torture is reliable. And the only thing information gained through extreme means has ever stopped is your fantasies.

A person in extreme discomfort (being tortured) will tell you absolutely anything "you want" to get you to stop. You note I said "you want" what "you want" to hear not necessarily the truth. Also, information obtained with extreme measures normally takes time, and time is not the friend of truth nor does the information have any value.

As to why our government maintains prisoners outside the contential United States, it is so they can maintain the myth that individuals in US custody are outside of US law and legal proceedings. I assure you that it has been the proud history of this nation that the United States exists where its flag flys. If I am on a aircraft carrier in the middle of the Pacific, I am on US soil, if I am standing in an embassy in Moscow, I am on US soil, if I am standing on a US military base in German, I am on US soil, if I am standing on a US base in Cuba, I am on Cubian soil, wait a minute that does not compute. History shall look back upon this period of time and shake it head.

Is someone going to say that terroists do not torture and kill soldiers that fall into their hands.
Get real.

Posted By Steve Blaine Washington : November 29, 2007 1:44 am

The terrorists always play by the Geneva convention rules and we should heed their wonderful example.

Once we do this we can go back to ignoring the terrorists while embassies get blown up, more WTC's, more ships will be attacked, but AS LONG AS WE ARE LOVED AGAIN.

As a fellow vet I respect McCain greatly, but as much as he is wrong here, Romney is right.

Posted By Tom Dedham, Mass : November 29, 2007 1:36 pm

Since WHEN do we look to terrorists for the yardstick by which we measure our morality? We are fighting these people because we are supposed to be "better" than them. America stands for something, that that is the moral high ground. We don't torture because we are better people than them, not because we are weak.

In addition as a former US Army Soldier, I would want the benefit of our good treatment of enemy captives in case any of our Soldiers are captured. I want them to say "He's an American, they generally treat us with respect when we are captured, so leave him alone" versus "Look what they did to our brothers in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, break his fingers!!!". All THAT, plus if the enemy knows they will NOT be tortured, they are more likely to surrender, which leads to less casualties, and less widows that are given folded up American Flags. Just my two cents.

Romney clearly looked uncomfortable, dare I say SCARED when he had to comfort McCain on waterboarding as torture. Romney's response was off-base, because he was asked about waterboarding being a form of torture. Yes or No with a simple explanation would have sufficed. The Geneva Conventions outlines that torture is illegal in an international court of law. The question related to whether or not the candidates believed that waterboarding is torture. Romney tried to make amends in his response by saying he would consult with McCain as well as other experts. Romney's response on waterboarding reminded me of his response towards militarily engaging in attacking Bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Pakistan without Pakistani government approval. Romney said he would consult his lawyers. Romney seems to use this consulting response way too much for my liking. It is pretty evident that all presidents have consultants and experts giving them advice. Mitt, we want to know what you think! After all, you are running for President, not your consultants and experts.

I cannot say I was surprised by Romney's response, which was essentially the same as that given by Mr. Bush's new Attorney General. What does surprise me is the number of people who, in their posts, seem to believe that, if someone else commits torture, we have the right to do the same. If you are a Christian, you are aware that this sort of Lex Talionis was superceded by the New Testament teachings. If you are not a Christian, you may subscribe to the idea that two wrongs don't make a right or to the Kantian idea that one must ask one's self: In the same situation, would I want others to act in the same way that I am acting? The immorality of others with respect to human life does not give the US license to act immorally.

McCain is a straight-shooter and Romney came off like a weasel. Romney wouldn't know a straight answer if it hit him in the face. There's no excuse for a presidential candidate to dodge a question like this. It's only ONE technique so it's not like the US is giving away everything they would do to extract information. There is no excuse; Romney dodged the question. He didn't want to get trapped by the answer BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE ONE!

We need to tell the bad guys how we are going to get information from them and also we need to tell them exactly when we are leaving Iraq.

We need to grant the terrorists Geneva convention rights, so that way we can give them more prayer mats, three squares, clothes and NEVER EVER play loud music or use barking dogs to gather information.

The terrorists always play by the Geneva convention rules and we should heed their wonderful example.

Once we do this we can go back to ignoring the terrorists while embassies get blown up, more WTC's, more ships will be attacked, but AS LONG AS WE ARE LOVED AGAIN.

As a fellow vet I respect McCain greatly, but as much as he is wrong here, Romney is right.

Waterboarding Is torture. Romnay looked like a Liar on that question. Will not be getting my vote.

Mitt's answer was perfect. BTW, Has anyone really done research on the waterboarding technique? It certainly wouldn't make the top ten on the list of Muslim torture techniques. In fact, I think they do it for sport over there. And for the person who stated in their post that they're a former serviceman who doesn't believe in torture…BS. Say that to the families who lost loved ones on 9-11.

Since when do terroists fall under the Geneva Convention. That is why they
do not imprison terroists inside the
USA. Is someone going to say that terroists do not torture and kill soldiers that fall into their hands.
Get real.

McCain's position on water-boarding and other forms of torture is the reason why he, alone among the candidates on the stage tonight, is the only one who has, or deserves, my respect. Romney's weaseling on the answer is precisely the reason why the US doesn't have many friends left. The United States once stood for the rule of law and was a beacon of hope for those without hope. No longer, unfortunately.

McCain's counter was on point and one of the most intelligent responses of the evening. All of these candidates are fully aware of what water boarding is and have an opinion and agenda around it both personally and politically.

Mitt's lack of response - clarified as a "presidential candidate" not wanting to respond (answer) is indicative to his campaign and his inability to make definitive statements or decisions out of fear.

Let's face it….if Mitt can't flip flop on the issue from his democratic years or if Ronald Reagan hasn't already commented on the subject then Mitt just can't answer a question or take a stand.

Does Mitt want to be President or Ronald Reagan? He certainly isn't capable of being either.

McCain's response was on target. Defined. Presidential and his patience with Romney's blundering - admirable.

If Romney does not understand that waterboarding is torture, then he is not fit to be president. He weaseled his way through the answer instead of making a simple declarative statement against the use of torture.

Ok the question didn’t ask to reveal any military tactics and strategy. A simple yes or no…is waterboarding torture? For others to claim he doesn’t know anything about it is wrong, and he does know what it involves. He wants to be vague to win over support. The United States is better than that, and we should always keep the moral high ground. Cherry-picking and worst case fantasy scenarios doesn’t constitute waterboarding in my opinion.

Mitt didn't answer the question at all, instead implied that he would seek "expert" recommendations. I would expect that my next president would be able to make those hard decisions, or at least give us an inkling as to where he/she stands.

I like Stephen King's comments earlier, in reference to President Bush. He said that Jenna should be waterboarded and then she could report back to him whether or not she thinks it is torture. Let's let one of Romney's sons have the same experience and see what he says.

There was definitely discrepency in what viewers, as well as McCain, heard from Romney on the waterboarding question. Romney does know what it is, has an opinion about it, and would seek appropriate counsel about the use of it. Disclosing specific tactics used or not used in interrogation is foolish and counterproductive. Perhaps those who cannot understand this also believe we should also publicize our military tactical plans so the enemy can prepare for that, too.

Romney's answer showed that HE IS just the right guy for the Commander in Chief. He seems to be the only candidate that I can see that doesn't want to publish the US military playbook and pass it out to every terrorist on the planet. How stupid do you have to be to lay out all of the do's and don't of our military interrogation tactics. ROMNEY PLAINLY STATED THAT HE WAS OPPOSED TO TORTURE, while making the point that it is important that we do not prepare terrorists by informing them of our tactics. Once again, Romney shows his brilliance. I am suprised that some of you missed the point! WAKE UP!

Romney is dangerous and/because he has no position/opinion.
THE USA has signed the Geneva Convention - it is a valid contract. So what? The USA can just do whatever it pleases and excuse it with whatever? I had thought that a presidential candidate is smarter than that. This is what makes the American Foreign Policy so not understandable.

I liked Romenys answer to this question.

Can we waterboard Romney? PLEEAZEE???? He needs to know what he's talking about and we'd be glad to educate him. PLEEAZEE???

Mitt's answer was the more honest of the two, which seems to have escaped many (including Brad above). He said he would consult with others to see what does and does not constitute torture. Those of you who think this answer is ridiculous are more interested in the theatrics and drama of campaigning than with thoughtful substantive responses that you can't slap on a bumper sticker, and will probably make up your minds on who to vote for on election day depending on which candidate's name gives you warm fuzzies at the voting booth.

It seems that the United States is the only country that abides by the Geneva Convention. If a detainee knows something I think you should be able to use whatever means possible to get information. It could be life and death of Americans.

Romney is a smooth-talking scum bag, who changes his mind, depending on who can bring him the most votes. Total player….

Mitt Romney answered the question to the best of his abilities. He was not wrong when saying he wouldn't disclose as president the types of interogation tactics used. He said he would take the advice from men and women like McCain. He does not know enough about the interogation tactics as McCain said but is willing to take advice from advisors when he becomes president.

All of you folks who are criticizing poor Mitt don't understand the bind he's in. If he admits that waterboarding is torture, and he is eventually elected president, how can he avoid prosecuting Bush and the rest of that criminal gang?

Can anyone think back a few months ago to Hillary pulling this very trick in avoiding questions on Pakistani relations? I find it amusing that Mitt seems to pull a page from the enemy's play-book here.

John McCain is on point. As a service member I will never endorse any type of torture and don't like how Mitt Romney avoided the topic. He would not be a good Commander and Chief.

I can’t believe he would show up to a debate, knowing waterboarding is a hot issue and says nothing about it. So let be get this…You don’t support torture, but you just won’t say what it is either?

The fact that Romney is against torture and won't acknowledge waterboarding as exactly that is ridiculous and displays a lack of backbone necessary to properly command the military. His statement demonstrated poor leadership ability on a very important manner.

On another note, McCain clearly won this debate. It's nice to see someone come across as honest and forthright…regardless if you agree with his stance on certains policies.

Mitt, answer a question. I you do not know an answer just say so. The American people are not dumb and would respect an honest answer over a vague contrived one any day.