Democrats, 202 5853880. Independents, 202 5853882. Wante retired military, we to hear from you as well, 202 5853883. Join the conversation on twitter. Us,can also email journal cspan. Org. The front page of the Washington Times has this headline. Republicans challenge obama tactics in prisoner exchange. Republicans challenge the obama insistence its did not negotiate with terrorists in securing the soldiers release and say the move was illegal and could embolden terrorists around the globe. The front page of usa today the deal saved bergdahls life. [video clip] we had information his health could be deteriorating rapidly. We found an opportunity, took the opportunity. I will stand by that decision. I signed off on the decision. The president made the ultimate decision. We spent time looking at this. The president has made clear he wants to close one,. Close Guantanamo Bay. Not let anyone out of Guantanamo Bay and i will not sign off on a detainee coming out of Guantanamo Bay unless i am assured and our country can be assured that we can sufficient mitigate any risk to americas security. Chuck hagel on meet the press, talking about why they decided to go after Bowe Bergdahl and deal with the taliban to get his release. Usa today says the pentagon did not give congress the three for the to release. Bowe bergdahl has not spoken to his parents yet. On the release of Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five president s held at Guantanamo Bay. We will get your thoughts in just a minute. We will get your phone calls and you can tweet us. You can send us an email as well. There is this headline the idea that u. S. Will not deal with terrorists is hardly true. Any president s have had many president s have had to negotiate, but it is usually kept quiet. Refrain we do not negotiate with terrorists is repeated as mantra more than fact. We have long negotiated with terrorists, despite the ledges never to do so. We should be tough on terrorists, but not on our countrymen who are their captives. Hoffman lists a series of high profile instances when u. S. President s have negotiated with terrorists. There was the iran hostage crisis that started in the 1970s and led to the release of 52 americans, or to the iran mid1980s,r of the when the u. S. Government sold arms to iran partly to win the release of u. S. Hostages. Smallscaleale negotiations with terrorist groups that the public and many of the congress dont know about. [video clip] this was an individual held by a terrorist group in another country. We know that to be true. Across northern africa, the number one way that al qaeda raises money is by ransom. Kidnapping and ransom. We have now set a price. We have a changing footprint in afghanistan, which will put our soldiers at risk for this notion that if i can get one, i can get five taliban released. The way we change our footprint means we get less intelligence. That is already starting to happen. That is why so many of us are so concerned about what really is a great with u. S. Policy of not negotiating with terrorists. Rogers seen on state of the union yesterday. We will go to john, a republican caller. I think me five released prisoners are working for the cia now. They will be used to infiltrate we are going to be. Host herman, what are your thoughts . Caller good morning. I like your program. Deal is an answer to gods prayers. This is how god answers prayers. We do not know how he does it. This is an answer to gods prayer. John, a republican caller, youre up next. Caller the idea that we do not negotiate with terrorists does not fly. I do not know what people in iraq, trust me, those guys were not all sheepherders. The israelis do it for specific reasons and we did it to get back these guys. There is some concern this may have violated one of the congressional laws, but the idea that the taliban and and anybody we oppose want to get a hold of a u. S. Soldier is crazy. They would do it whether or not read release this guy. That is the way it is. I do not buy all of the stuff we heard yesterday on some of the talk shows. Host do you think it was a good decision . Decision that a probably had to be done and if it were our policy is going in afghanistan. It encourages the taliban and to get more into the political process, that is a bonus for us. Who knows. Is a way ofink this starting to positively deal with the taliban and and these militant groups . Caller i am more concerned with dealing with the taliban. They are not al qaeda, even though they associate with al qaeda. Somehow, they have to be brought into the process. Since we are pulling out, this is a better way to bring them into the process than other ways, which probably would not work. That is maybe too optimistic, but it is the way we got our guy back. At least we are giving an opportunity for people who if they want to get into the political process, there is a start. Are in arlington, virginia, what do you do for a living . Caller i am retired. Host were you involved in the military . Caller no. Host albert, chicago, democratic caller. Like the previous caller said, the taliban is not al qaeda. Want to makens the qaeda in order to president. Host we will keep taking your phone calls. The release of Bowe Bergdahl is that a terrorist deal or a duty to the soldier . We will have you weigh in on that. First, Tony Lombardo is joining us to talk about how this went about. When did these negotiations began between the administration and who did the negotiating . Guest good to be here. Were very rapid and very quick. The discussions have been going for three years. Sooneason it had to happen is part of what has the of republicans upset. Host who did the actual negotiating . Guest that is not clear right now. Obviously the defense secretary was involved, but as far as on the ground, we are not hearing yet. Host you said it was on and off for three years. Takingo chuck hagel over, lower the negotiations like then and what was the administration saying about an exchange of Bowe Bergdahl for Guantanamo Bay prisoners . The taliban has one of the release of some of the folks in Guantanamo Bay. There has been no wiggle room from that. They would not negotiate for anything else . Guest correct. Host how did it go down . How did it happen . The Actual Exchange of mr. Bergdahl. Were a large number of special forces troops meeting with members of the taliban. This was something that has not happened. This was a peaceful exchange. Bowe bergdahl was whisked away the f helicopter via helicopter. It was a very emotional rescue. Idea of whatave an resources this would have taken and the cost . Guest that is a great question. I am sure people will be asking that. Host we do not know a lot of those details . Guest correct. Host who are the five that were released from Guantanamo Bay . What do we know about them . Intelligences an deputy minister. There was one with reportedly ties to al qaeda. A third gentleman like and these two pardon terrorists who had the blood of americans on their hands. What indication do we have that these five will go back into fighting . Guest that is a great question. These are older members of the taliban, so it is unlikely they inht the in they might be active fighting. Thing is keeping eyes on these people if possible. Host how was i going to be done . Was that part of this deal that somebody is going to be watching over these five to make sure that doesnt happen . This that is unclear at point, but defense leaders are stressing that is an imperative. Host what was the role of the qatari government . Guest they were the go between. Said we were not negotiating with terrorists. Were basicallys the go between. They helped make this happen. Released ande were there were reports of seeing the five yesterday. The responsibility of the qatari government . Guest for one year, is my understanding. Host there have been a lot of discussions about whether or not the administration broke u. S. Law. What is the law and what does it say . Guest that is a good question. Congress is saying that they that theye days needed 30 days that detainees were going to be released. That is what they are challenging president obama on. President obamas staff is saying that his health was deteriorating at such a degree it was a matter of life or death to get him back. Tony lombardo is the managing editor of army times. Thank you for your time. Back to your phone calls. Santa cruz, california. What are your thoughts on this . I think there is a duty to the laws of the United States. If we do not follow the laws of the United States, what good are the laws . If you have an executive breaking the rules, you are never going to have the Supreme Court rein in the executive. Out, we did not just let terrorists. It is going to do us harm. Let me get host your spots. There is a quote we did not have 30 days to wait and had we waited and lost him, i dont think anyone would have forgiven the United States government. Caller in that case, congress should repeal that law and get rid of the law. That laws on the books regardless. Executive we have an doing whatever he wants. Host george, eastview, kentucky. Caller good morning. Host go ahead. Caller what i am saying is the republicans they are like chicken hawks. None of them serve. These people do not care about the service. They talk about it. They prorate obama for trying to help and they do not care they burn rate obama for trying to help and they do not care. John mccain, i give him credit. He is a great hero. Sometimes. See it he is always looking to attack people. He has to stop that. Host george, eastview, kentucky. Rice was asked about whether or not the administration negotiated with terrorists. Heres how she responded. [video clip] if we got into a situation where we said because of who has captured an american soldier on the battlefield, we will leave that person behind, we will be for thele new era safety of our personnel. Because it was the taliban who had him, did not mean we had no obligation to bring him back. This is not a judgment question. It is just a question. You had to negotiate with terrorists to secure the release. We actually negotiate with the government of qatar. Handsback safely in the of the United States. That is a great thing. The question is, you point to the kind of warfare we are having, that no longer can it be said that the u. S. Does not negotiate with terrorists. That at all. T say when we are in battles with terrorists and terrorists take an american prisoner, that prisoner is still a u. S. Service man and woman. We have a sacred obligation to bring that person back. We did so and that is to be celebrated. The sunday rice on talk shows yesterday, laying out the argument for why the toinistration made the deal release five u. S. Prisoners from guantanamo may in exchange for Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Bowe Bergdahl. The ranking republican on the Senate Select committee of intelligence said the administration assured him six months ago that they would not consider the release of the leaders without consulting congress. That is from saxby chambliss. From mike rogers, a republican from michigan who chaired the House Intelligence Committee earlier. Committee would be doing a review of the details and thehis release chairman of the House Armed ServicesCommittee Said he would be holding a hearing as well. There is more to come on capitol hill after president obama, on with bowestanding bergdahls parents, announced that the administration had made this deal and that Bowe Bergdahl would be released by the taliban. A lot of details about how this went down. We will go to steve, haymarket, virginia. Why would you have susan rice on . She has no credibility whatsoever. She is a waste of electricity. The big picture is we have been cut off by china because they have devalued our money so much. We got a prisoner back and we got accents access to lithium. Lithium is what you need to get these hybrid cars going. Host michael, washington, d. C. Independent color, what are your thoughts . Caller, what are your thoughts . Caller he walked away from his post without a weapon. He was not a prisoner. He was a deserter. Host do you think there should not be a duty to get him . Caller i do not believe they should have got him. They should have waited until the end of the conflict and then try to retrieve him. Host some are saying because of the drawdown, if you did not go in now, you would have no negotiating power with the taliban. As the president announced last week, he will be pulling troops out of afghanistan, your window of opportunity to get Bowe Bergdahl closes. Caller theres a lot of the story we have not heard. I think it was a political ploy by the democrats. That is all i inc. All i think. Host democratic caller. A plain,f you are american citizen, who has , there is aliefs guy in north korea, a guy in lady whothere was a was a christian american in another country. Are dispensable, but a deserter is not . I do not get it. I am embarrassed at this president and angry he has done this to the rest of the. If you are an american traveling abroad, you are absolutely screwed. Ast do you think this poses threat that the taliban could capture more americans . The talibanet just and spirit anyone and everybody in a terrorist country is going forget just the taliban. Anyone in a terrorist country is going to get nabbed. Bergdahl is believed to have slipped away from his post in afghanistan on june 30, 2009, after growing disillusioned with the u. S. Militarys war effort. He was captured by enemy forces and held captive by insurgents affiliated with the taliban and. Devotedime, weeks were to searching for him. Some troops consider bergdahl a deserter. This is what they report. He disappeared from a military post in a war zone without authorization, only results in one of does coke criminal one of two criminal charges. Mixed reaction to bergdahls recovery by some of the servicemen. Apparently n is this is what the Washington Post says. Series of tweets or posted saturday night. Posted saturday night. The writer says he believes bergdahl plan his escape for days, leaving between 3 00 and 30 a. M. , when there was the least amount of light. Here is one of the tweets sent out. While searching for him, ambushes and ieds picked up tremendously. Nme new we would be coming. Enemy knew we would be coming. Tweet. Another how many other prisoners have lasted five years . I arean and haqqan ruthless. Was sent outt about seven hours ago. Bedtime, big day tomorrow. Possibly more to come. Post tried ton reach out to him. Leaveaid the tweets enough information to potentially be credible. David, glen cove, new york. Republican caller. Caller good morning. I have a question and a statement. If they are worried about what the people think, how come they did not ask us before they made the deal . Why didnt the president discussed this with Congress Like he was supposed to. Why is rice on tv . Why did she still have her job. Why didnt she help out the people in benghazi . To sandy and go lexington, kentucky. There is more to this than meets the eye. Whenever obama is in a jam like the v. A. Scannable coming up, v. A. Scandal, he throws out Something Like this. When the soldier escaped, why didnt the taliban and kill him . This is another example of obamas disregard for our congress and laws. He did not follow our own laws when he got the Health Care Mandate passed. He changed it and changed it like 30 different times. He disrespects this country. I cannot believe he has not been impeached. But lies. D nothing whenever he speaks, i do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth. Host we will go to jerry, north carolina, independent caller. Caller good morning. This is a huge mistake, turning terrorists loose. The sky was a deserter. He walked away from his unit in civilian clothes. He did not deserve to be gone after. These guys are going to go back on the battlefield and theyre going to kill more people. More americans are going to die. The blood of our americans are going to be on obamas hands. Has done so much damage to america. I cannot believe the american not demanded barack obama resigned. He is such a liar. You cannot believe anything he says. He has hurt this country so bad. I do not think we will ever recover from it. The articles in the paper saying this is nothing new. Other countries have negotiated with socalled terrorists and sometimes you have to do deals with the devil . Not other are countries. This was a policy we have had in place. We do not negotiate with terrorists. Was so set on getting somebody out, why didnt he go to mexico and get the marine released . He got out of the marines with an Honorable Discharge and they have not gone down there to help this guy. Host we are going to keep taking your thoughts here. Keep calling in or send us a tweet or email. You can join the conversation on facebook. Joining us on the phone is the Energy Reporter for national journal. He is talking about headlines on clean energy. Lets begin with what is being announced today. Today, the white house and the epa is announcing what is the central pillar of the term globals second warming agenda. It is the most ambitious thing they have done on the topic. They are announcing a draft epa proposal that will require reductions in Carbon Monoxide emissions from power plants. Specifically, coal plants. The is a big deal because creation of electric power creates about 40 of Greenhouse Gas emissions. This rule is going to acquire require a cut of about 30 percent by 2030. Epa is asking states and companies to give them options to achieve this rule. They can do things around energy andncy and using switching to natural gas. This is going to spark a large political and legal battle. What about the proposal . You said it gives states flexibili