If a terrorist wre captured and it were known or strongly suspected that he had knowledge of others planning horrible events on a grand, or even relatively small scale, no decent government would fail to use any means available to interrogate that terrorist .. and that would include dtorture.
Why must it be a matter as grave as a nuclear weapon or vial of some awful plague? Suppose it concerned the murder of government officials, or just common citizens in a mall, or kids in a school? Should torture be used if all else fails to get information to prevent the attack? I think it should.
As to Bush being the worst embarassment as a Prez. I disagree although he is not a shining star these days. Worse, far worse, was Lyndon B. Johnson in my humble estimation. As bad as Bush might be I would still vote for him if the Democrats were to have one such as Kerry run.