Bush gingerly enters Guantanamo debate

Bush, though, maintained during an appearance in northwestern Pennsylvania that he would not criticize President Obama, though he did discuss his policies.

“I will just tell you that there are people at Gitmo who will kill Americans at the drop of a hat,’’ the nation’s 43d president said at a dinner held by a group of business leaders in Erie. “Persuasion isn’t going to work. Therapy isn’t going to change their mind.’’

Bush has made just a handful of public appearances since he left office in January, though his hourlong session before a friendly crowd of about 1,600 touched on familiar themes in reminiscing about his eight years in the White House.

The topic of Guantanamo Bay arose during a Q&A session, in which e-mailed or submitted questions were screened and chosen by a moderator during the event.

“I certainly hope not,’’ Bush answered when asked whether he thought Obama’s plan could compromise security before saying, “I told you I would not criticize my successor.’’

The House yesterday used the first spending bill for 2010 to notify the White House that it will not go along with Obama’s plan to close the detention facility.

The House voted 259-157 for the $64.4 billion package to fund many of Obama’s law enforcement and science priorities in the budget year starting in October. But the bill denies Obama money to close the detention center next year and establishes strict restrictions for the transfer of detainees.