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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8f680000Coverage of the 2016 races in New Hampshire, from the White House to the State House.

Hassan Skeptical Of President's Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay

Allegra Boverman for NHPR

When she announced she was running for U.S. Senate, Governor Hassan said she would consider supporting the closure of Guantanamo Bay if it could be done in a way where the safety of U.S. citizens would not be at risk.

Hasssan says what she knows of Present Obama's plan to shut down the prison -- it envisions sending some detainees to unnamed sites in the U.S. -- doesn't meet that test.

"I think the most important thing is that any plan has to ensure the safety of our citizens and that detainees won't return to the battlefield, and I'm skeptical that this plan does that. I will examine it more closely before making a final conclusion but I am skeptical."  

Senator Kelly Ayotte is against closing Guantanamo Bay, and has cosponsoring legislation to ensure the President seeks congressional approval before transferring the military base to Cuban control or modifying the its lease.

Nearly 800 suspected terrorists have been held at Guantanamo since the US opened the prison there in 2002. The facility now houses 91. The president says keeping the facility open is "contrary to our values."

I cover campaigns, elections, and government for NHPR. Stories that attract me often explore New Hampshire’s highly participatory political culture. I am interested in how ideologies – doctrinal and applied – shape our politics. I like to learn how voters make their decisions and explore how candidates and campaigns work to persuade them.
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