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Sen. Nelson: 'White House is involved' in freeing Marine

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    Senator Ben Nelson is ‘optimistic’ about getting Corporal Hammar freed from a Mexican prison

  • Duration 4:35
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Now the top story tonight joining us from Washington senator Bill Nelson from Florida who has been trying hard.

To secure the release of corporal -- -- mind making any mistakes here.

Good evening bill and yes we all want to get him out.

And we want him out by next week by Christmas so he can be home.

I would just for now.

-- The White House is involved.

The State Department is involved.

I have talked to both of them today.

I have asked god the State Department to have our General Counsel or our our consul general.

In Matamoros and our consulate did -- in there again and see him.

The one thing that I think you is a little different then you're recitation of the facts it is that.

It was win we found out about him being in the general prison population Lance dogs when he was picked up.

That.

We -- because of the obvious threats to his life and attempted shakedowns.

To get him out of there they've complied.

After about four days.

Guiding into the same prison but in administrative facility.

And that's where you see the photograph of him in a room by himself and they've actually got.

Hot car phone is way -- change to the bit.

That has since been removed but I think tip but that didn't occur for some period of time -- -- -- it's unacceptable.

Six -- look here it is it bothers me now.

He had Jay Carney got Jay Carney yesterday Brothers admitted to bill I know I know it does and you've been doing good work you and congress and Rosalynn and down there in in Miami.

Excellent work but when Jay Carney says to our guy Ed Henry and we don't know anything about -- Don't you think that President Obama with a all the power that he had -- could come out and say.

We're trying to get him released you don't have to -- I don't expect him to threaten Mexico.

I don't expect him.

To diminish the new president or lodge any charges that's my job I'll do that.

But certainly the president can say we're very concerned.

And we'd like Mexico to do the humanitarian thing and release what would be wrong with that senator.

I hope that that happens.

By December to an -- why hasn't happened since since August I'll have a stomach -- -- happen.

Bill you and I know.

That the president.

It's got so much Yeltsin.

Attention that's 100 that's why I cited Abraham Lincoln.

You know I guess I mean well great news this is why -- there are like greatness is the fine and you know let's.

Look let's get a map let's get him out first ball here here's where the breakdown hands.

And by the way I've talked to -- the Mexican ambassador to the United States now several times most recently.

Today.

-- team is and by the way he's a good guy.

He is working very hard to make sure that this happens now here's here's the big travesty.

The fact.

That he was picked up in the first place win obviously you didn't have any mean evil intent course but secondly.

-- justice system.

He is so slow.

That a federal judge will appear -- case because.

You and I know there's always judicial discretion.

And this guy was not a threat against the state even though it's against their -- to bring a -- -- of the Mexico he obviously wasn't a threat.

And therefore there should have been judicial discretion.

Imposed in the best long ago we all know that but now we have to get the big boys the president well secretary of middle of the -- 8 o'clock.

-- -- So said -- you keep please keep in close touch with us this OK guys are dwindling.

My -- this bill.

Bill I am very optimistic this going to be resolved all right very soon and I hope it's before Christmas and we appreciate your good work and will keep the -- the folks posted every step of the way.