Among the most despicable aspects of appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the conduct of CIA operatives in applying enhanced interrogation techniques is the abject refusal of the president to take responsibility for the decision. This is of course a policy decision—whether to reverse a decision already made to not prosecute these alleged crimes and, in the president’s words, to look forward and not backward.

Commenting on the criticisms by Vice President Dick Cheney, the Washington Post reports:

A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, called Cheney’s comments “off base” and took umbrage at the idea that Obama had personally allowed Durham to expand his inquiry. “This was not something the White House allowed, this was something the AG decided,” the official said, referring to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

This is bizarre and simply false. Obama is the president and can make the call to—well, look forward instead of backward. If in fact Holder is acting contrary to the president’s wishes in relitigating cases, further imperiling our intelligence agencies, and setting a dangerous precedent that prosecutorial decisions are never final, then he should be fired. But one would have to be foolish indeed to believe that on an issue of such consequence Holder is defying the White House.

The announcement was timed just when the president was hiding at Martha’s Vineyard. But he’s can’t escape blame for this one. Whatever fallout occurs is his responsibility.