washington obama administration pursue use executive order shutter guantanamo bay military prison officials conclude would viable strategy source familiar deliberations say conclusion reach administration officials narrow already slim chance president barack obama fulfill pledge close notorious offshore prison leave office january white house say repeatedly obama rule options guantanamo center use house terrorism suspect since set 2001 follow sept. 11 attack new york washington obama eager fulfill 2008 campaign pledge close prison could still choose use commander-in-chief power option actively pursue source say without executive action chance close prison would hinge convince resistant congress overturn long-standing ban bring possibly dozens remain prisoners maximum-security prisons unite state white house lawyers officials study option override ban develop strong legal position effective political sales pitch election year source familiar discussions say deem difficult get hurdle would need get level support likely receive think low generate controversy particularly sensitive time election cycle source say republicans congress oppose bring guantanamo detainees u.s. prisons express opposition transfer countries concern release prisoners return militant activities vow challenge potential obama executive action court peak prison u.s. naval base cuba house nearly 800 prisoners become symbol excesses war terror synonymous criticism detention without trial accusations torture obama call recruitment tool terrorists number guantanamo detainees fall 80 low since open administration focus get number detainees prison low number perhaps 20 cost keep open could prove unpalatable congress republican lawmakers remain unswayed guantanamo prison associate military commission cost 445 million fiscal year 2015. work 5.5 million year 80 remain prisoners thirty remain detainees guantanamo approve transfer foreign countries state department say move summer would leave include 10 prosecute military commission detainees deem dangerous release transfer administration goal work congress find solution close guantanamo say myles caggins spokesman white house national security council say government make substantial progress move prisoners foreign countries work identify countries additional transfer review determine whether certain prisoners need remain detain prevent threat u.s. security accelerate would complete come months say obama issue order shut prison within year first day office release late plan close congress february gain traction white house publicly rule executive order option part keep pressure pentagon move prisoners clear release countries one source say congress ... would finally say president plan executive order option table concern wheel could grind halt say source familiar discussions white house gregory craig serve obama first white house counsel say without executive order obama would likely need cooperation congress shut prison think odds probably challenge craig say exclusive obama administration pursue executive order shut guantanamo source