After Roberts Gibbs was grilled by reporters over the President's decision not to release the detainee abuse photos earlier today, the President himself made a statement this afternoon. He reiterated his concerns about the safety of troops and echoed much of what Gibbs said at the presser. He said that, in this instance, the Pentagon had not attempted to conceal or justify these wrongful actions. "I want to emphasize that these photos that were requested in this case are not particularly sensational, especially when compared to the painful images that we remember from Abu Ghraib," Obama said. "It's therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals. In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them, I believe, would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger."

Obama also alluded to Gibbs's obscure argument that releasing the photos would discourage documentation of further abuses. "Moreover, I fear the publication of these photos may only have a chilling effect on future investigations of detainee abuse," he said.

This is rocky terrain for the President. Just a couple of weeks ago he was heavily criticized by conservatives for his decision to release the OLC memos regarding interrogation techniques. Today's announcement (which is a reversal of the Administration's previous decision not to fight the court order demanding the photos be released by May 28) has angered the civil liberties and rights activists. Moreover, as CBS's Mark Knoller pointed out at the briefing, it contradicts a statement Obama made on his second day in office. He said: "I will hold myself, as President, to a new standard of openness.  Information will not be withheld just because I say so."  Sorry sir, but it looks like you're saying so.

Former FBI Interrogator Ali Soufan (who was profiled by Newsweek's Michael Isikoff a few weeks ago) testified on the use of torture before a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee today and stated that the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques are "slow, ineffective, unreliable, and harmful to our efforts." Soufan was able to obtain valuable intel using techniques labeled the "informed interrogation approach", which are consistent with the Army Field Manual. His testimony is fascinating.

Soufin was the agent who first interrogated Abu Zubaydah, the man now famous for being waterboarded 83 times. Zubaydah had been badly wounded in the struggle to capture him and was almost immediately taken to a hospital. It was there that Soufin began his interrogation, and gained "important, actionable intelligence" within the first hour regarding the role Khalid Sheikh Mohammed played in the 9-11 attacks. Committee Chair Sheldon called this "one of the more significant pieces of intelligence information we've ever obtained in the war on terror."

Soon the CIA-CTC was brought in, and a private contractor instructed them to subject Zubaydah to harsh interrogation techniques. Michael Isikoff wrote that: "Agency operatives were aiming to crack him with rough and unorthodox interrogation tactics—including stripping him nude, turning down the temperature and bombarding him with loud music." Soufan told the committee that  Zubaydah "shut down." Later, Soufan interrogated the man again, using Army sanctioned methods, and Zubaydah disclosed information about the alleged "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla. According to Soufan, the contractor soon reasserted control, ordering the use of "enhanced" techniques and Zubaydah shut down again. Worried, Soufan objected to his FBI superiors, and was soon ordered home by Director Mueller, who also decreed that FBI personnel should no longer participate in CIA interrogations. (More after the jump)

The White House announced today that the President has decided to oppose the release of photographs allegedly depicted the abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by U.S. military personnel. According to a statement from the press office, Obama isn't comfortable releasing the photographs, believing they have the potential to endanger troops and jeopardize national security. After meeting with his legal team last week, Obama instructed his counsel to object to the release. He informed General Odierno of his decision yesterday. From the statement:

The President would be the last to excuse the actions depicted in these photos. That is why the Department of Defense investigated these cases, and why individuals have been punished through prison sentences, discharges, and a range of other punitive measures. But the President strongly believes that the release of these photos, particularly at this time, would only serve the purpose of inflaming the theaters of war, jeopardizing US forces, and making our job more difficult in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. 

At today's briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was hammered with questions from reporters about whether Obama, who has argued for more transparency in government investigations, had reversed his position. Gibbs said that Obama had not been pressured by the military. He then pursued a strange and convoluted line of argument, saying that releasing the photographs woud "provide a disincentive for detainee abuse investigations." Say what? According to Gibbs, a public release of the photographs adds nothing to the investigation. He seemed to be arguing that if the military believes that every time a photograph of abuse is taken it will eventually be released to the public, they'll be less inclined to take photos. Asked if the photographs would help enhance public understanding of the issue, Gibbs replied "the President doesn't believe that the release of these photos adds to that in any way." Rather, Gibbs believes they add a "sensationalizing portion" to the investigation. OK. Your Gaggler is sure the ACLU will buy that line....(not.)

Then, the press conference descended into a bizarro-world, with a paternal Gibbs confiscating the cell phone of a reporter after it rang repeatedly. Then someone else's cell phone went off. There was laughter and shenanigans. It was weird. Finally, as Gibbs walked out, he told the reporter whose cell phone was now sitting somewhere in the press office "I have a message for you...your mom called."

Governor Sarah Palin is the latest politician to mint a sweet book deal. She's signed a deal with Harper Collins who will co-release the book with its subsidiary, Christian publishing house Zondervan (the company that published Rick Warren's mega-seller "The Purpose-Driven Life"). Reporters have been chattering about the inevitability of a Palin book for months. The deal was negotiated by DC lawyer Robert Barnett, whose literary client list includes Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The financial arrangements haven't been disclosed, but your Gaggler is thinking big bucks. (And probably more than Bush scored.) 

Palin, who will work with an as yet unnamed writer, has agreed to talk about the Katie Couric interviews, Bristol's pregnancy, family, religion and politics.  "There's been so much written about and spoken about in the mainstream media and in the anonymous blogosphere world, that this will be a wonderful, refreshing chance for me to get to tell my story, that a lot of people have asked about, unfiltered," Palin told the Associated Press. "Being a voracious reader, I read a lot today and have read a lot growing up. And having that journalism degree, all of that, will be a great assistance for me in writing this book, talking about the challenges and the joys, balancing the work and parenting, and, in my case, work means running the state." Barnett says the book will be explore the melding of her roles as soccer mom and political operative.

Although Palin has never written a book before, having done so is almost a requirement for a presidential bid these days, and choosing Barnett to negotiate is perhaps an interesting sign. In terms of style, Palin says she enjoyed Katherine Graham's prize winning bio "Personal History" and just finished reading Clinton's "My Life". The book is slated for release in 2010. There will be several new Palin books on the shelves by then, including one from Gaggle pals Shushannah Walshe and Scott Conroy, former TV embeds who traveled extensively with Palin during last year's campaign.