Meet President George W. Obama
President Obama was against signing statements (statements bypassing the particular law the president is signing) -- until the pen was in his hand. Outside The Beltway reports that he's signed 17 such statements since he became president in January 2009.
Here's what he told the Boston Globe's Charlie Savage in 2007 about signing statements:
Signing statements have been used by presidents of both parties, dating back to Andrew Jackson. While it is legitimate for a president to issue a signing statement to clarify his understanding of ambiguous provisions of statutes and to explain his view of how he intends to faithfully execute the law, it is a clear abuse of power to use such statements as a license to evade laws that the president does not like or as an end-run around provisions designed to foster accountability.I will not use signing statements to nullify or undermine congressional instructions as enacted into law. The problem with this administration is that it has attached signing statements to legislation in an effort to change the meaning of the legislation, to avoid enforcing certain provisions of the legislation that the President does not like, and to raise implausible or dubious constitutional objections to the legislation. The fact that President Bush has issued signing statements to challenge over 1100 laws - more than any president in history - is a clear abuse of this prerogative.
New guy pretty much the same as the old guy. A little younger, a little more latte-colored. But, big on the pen.
via Walter Olson
The remedy is impeachment, and that's not going to happen.
MarkD at April 19, 2011 5:18 AM
For MarkD's consideration: President Joseph Biden.
I R A Darth Aggie at April 19, 2011 6:36 AM
As the first black president, Obama is immune to impeachment regardless of the offense. Any attempt would unleash riots on an unprecedented scale. As an added precaution, he chose Biden as his vice president.
BarSinister at April 19, 2011 6:39 AM
At this point, I'd prefer Biden. As it stands, Jimmy Carter II is looking like a best-case scenario.
Argentina is more likely.
brian at April 19, 2011 7:05 AM
I love Argentina.
ahw at April 19, 2011 7:06 AM
And, just to reinforce something I tell everyone: Obama's a progressive.
Every word that a progressive says is a lie, including "and" and "the". Every accusation a progressive makes is projection.
We cannot be rid of this bullshit ideology soon enough.
brian at April 19, 2011 7:06 AM
So, Obama has issued 17 signing statements to GWB's 1,100. In the quote, Obama says he supports using signing statements to clarify how the executive branch interprets ambiguous legislation, but not to avoid enforcing provisions of laws with which the president disagrees.
Has anyone looked up Obama's signing statements to see into which category they fall? Personally, I wouldn't find it very surprising if Congress had passed at least 17 ambiguous bills since Obama took office.
Context? at April 19, 2011 8:22 AM
Currently in office is Bush 3, to be followed by Bush 4, and the Bush 5......expecting change from two party politics is 'chasing the wind'.
nuzltr2 at April 19, 2011 10:01 AM
"I love Argentina."
Uhhh, you ever lived there? I have some family there you are welcome to talk to.
Feebie at April 19, 2011 10:39 AM
It wouldn't matter if Abraham Lincoln reincarnated was Vice President. Impeachment isn't going to happen, and Congress will continue to allow the President to defy the law.
Obama has no right to pay those czars a nickel, but he's going to do it, and Congress is going to watch.
MarkD at April 19, 2011 12:28 PM
"Obama has no right to pay those czars a nickel, but he's going to do it, and Congress is going to watch."
No, Congress is going to participate. 100% of the money comes from Congress.
Radwaste at April 20, 2011 6:32 PM
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