I quoted Bill Kristol a while back as saying: "hypocrisy is the tribute liberals pay conservatives." Well, it appears President Obama, again, has paid more tribute to George Bush.
During Bush's presidency he was scolded by democrats, including then Senator Obama, for utilizing "signing statements." President Bush would attach a signing statement to legislation reaching his desk, stating what he disagreed with and what he'd disregard. Candidate Obama was very clear that he would end the practice. He felt, then, it was undermining the law (see video above).
What George Bush has been trying to do as part of his effort to accumulate more power in the presidency is he's been saying 'well I can basically change what Congress passed by attaching a letter saying I don't agree with this part or I don't agree with that part. I'm gonna choose to interpret it this way or that way.' That's not part of his power.This is yet another campaign promise broken and and another tribute to his predecessor.
But this is part of the whole theory of George Bush that he can make laws as he's going along. I disagree with that. I taught the constitution for 10 years. I believe in the constitution, and I will obey the Constitution of the United States.
We're not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end-run around Congress.
Looking at the legislation I can understand Obama's position. He believes the Congress overstepped its constitutional authority by requiring certain actions of the President in foreign policy matters. Bush said the same exact thing. But then Senator/candidate Obama wouldn't accept that answer. Bush dealt with the Congress, as Obama now sees the wisdom in, through the use of signing statements. I can understand why Obama is utilizing the signing statement to guard what he sees as his constitutional authority in foreign policy matters. That is what Bush did and he was right too. The problem for Obama is that it's pure hypocrisy. Something I'm sure will be a political liability, along with his other tributes, in his reelection campaign. Republicans have got to be smiling.
This current signing statement is Obama's 6th since taking office. And the tribute just keeps coming...
3 comments:
Nice post; it's a shame the Washington press corps can't/won't use your analysis.
Agricola - Thank you. That's very kind of you to say.
There are so many things at play here. When Obama was running for office it seemed clear to me that he was saying things that just wouldn't survive impact with reality. Unfortunately John McCain didn't capitalize on these slow moving softballs. Gitmo was a perfect example. Where are we going to house these dangerous people? Why not Gitmo anyway for that matter? Gitmo should remain open. The propaganda about Gitmo should have been met head on. Obama has never visited the facility, which is probably, now, one of the finest detention facilities in the world.
Another example: Not using evidence taken involuntarily from terrorists for use in military tribunals. Why not? I think this is a clear mistake. The problem this creates is spelled out on the front page of the WSJ today. The re-instatement of the military tribunals is another tribute to Bush, by the way. Candidate Obama said he'd use the court system to try terrorists. As Bush tried, weakly though, to explain, that just won't work for people captured on the battlefield. Bush, again, was right.
I think there are more Bush tributes to come for our new President.
I cannot entirely disagree with Obama on his foreign policy. I think reaching out to the Muslim world a good idea, though, I suspect that will have little impact for now. I agree with the President's build up in Afghanistan. We can win that fight if we're willing. A big problem there is that our allies are not committing enough resources. Obama has applied pressure but he should do more.
President Obama has his work cut out for him. He seems like a smart guy. However, his lack of experience has burned him a few times already. I’m sure there are more lessons to come. On the job training for a President can be very instructive I imagine. It probably makes a new President realize that his predecessor wasn't so wrong after all. However, you can never admit that--at least not until you're out of office.
Many of us knew Obama could never live up to all the idealist rhetoric he used to win the election. The Republicans will have a lot of ammunition next election. I voted for Obama. The disapointment has been steady. I should have known better. Obama's foolish statement about the Gates arrest was the tipping point for me. It seems apparent our President is not a post racial President either, as he, again, said during the election. Another disappointment. So much for that idea.
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