Lanny Davis is Democratic supporter of President Barack Obama, but he believes Obama should have been more forthright when he traded five Taliban leaders for the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
"I care about the president who I support not fully explaining this decision," Davis said Wednesday on
"CNN Tonight."
Davis said three things bothered him about the decision: Obama didn't address the issue of possible desertion by Bergdahl; he didn’t detail the conditions under which the detainees released by the United States would not return to terrorism; and he didn't explain why he didn't confer with Congress as legally required.
Republicans and some Democrats share Davis' concerns, and administrative staffers met with the Senate in a classified session on Wednesday to try to allay their concerns.
Davis said the backlash would have been less severe had Obama announced upfront that the military would be investigating allegations of desertion rather than trying for a positive photo-op in the Rose Garden with Bergdahl's parents.
Davis also believes Obama should explain why he didn't talk to Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, a fellow Democrat, and Republican leaders in both chambers.
"Is he going to tell the American people that he couldn't consult with Congress because he was worried about a leak?" Davis said. "If that's the case, tell us."
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