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Turning The Page?

As much as President Obama may have wanted to "turn the page" on the politics of the past, he probably feels a bit like Michael Corleone in Godfather III ("Just when I thought I was out, they PULL ME BACK IN").

Indeed, over the last few weeks, Washington has been pondering these questions:

Did the Bush administration commit torture?

What did Nancy Pelosi know about those interrogation techniques?

What is Dick Cheney going to say next?

Should the Obama administration release photos showing detainee abuse?

The earlier answer was yes, but the White House yesterday reversed course, arguing that the photos could "inflame anti-American opinion." The decision angered liberals and human-rights groups, while it pleased Republicans and conservatives. These, of course, are not the fights that Obama wants to be waging.

Then again, when you're president, you often don't get to pick all the issues you have to confront. By the way, the AP makes this very smart point: Obama's decision yesterday essentially kicks the matter back to the courts, which have already decided that the photos must be released.

First Read with NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd, every weekday on MSNBC-TV at 9 a.m. ET. For more: The latest edition of First Read is available now athttp://www.FirstRead.MSNBC.com !