Is waterboarding Khalid Sheikh Mohammed worse than blowing up some sap who just showed up to work on the wrong day?
Yes. Waterboarding Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is viewed by the vast majority to be morally far much worse than bombing a munitions factory. That is why doing it costs the tremendous political capital.
Now ask the same group if there are ever circumstances where it can be acceptable to bomb an ammunition factory. Can you imagine that even being up for debate?
Yes. Waterboarding Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is viewed by the vast majority to be morally far much worse than bombing a munitions factory. That is why doing it costs the tremendous political capital.