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kurtcagle

(1,594 posts)
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:00 AM Jan 2021

Is this the end of the imperial presidency?

One of the things I've watched over the last few decades has been the increasing power that the executive branch wields compared to Congress or the Courts. We've seen the logical conclusion of this: had Trump succeeded yesterday, he would have been, in effect a King with unlimited powers. Republicans have pushed for this shift in power because that hierarchy would have ensconced them in permanent power as well.

Moving forward I think the Democrats are going to have to do some serious thinking about how to limit the power of the President, now and in the future. Trump basically exploited every potential loophole in his attempt to regain control, and in the process has laid out a roadmap showing precisely where the weak points are. This is going to be an interesting balancing act, because Biden is likely going to need to step outside of the system periodically to help repair it, and this is going to have to be managed carefully.

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Is this the end of the imperial presidency? (Original Post) kurtcagle Jan 2021 OP
I hope they can accomplish this, too. Karadeniz Jan 2021 #1
I think we're going to need it. Sadly. enki23 Jan 2021 #2
I hope so... Enterstageleft Jan 2021 #3
nearly half the ppl in this country are fine with trump and the looting of the capitol nt msongs Jan 2021 #4
No Lithos Jan 2021 #5
I think so EthanBlue Jan 2021 #6
Absolutely WA-03 Democrat Jan 2021 #7
Yes, it is the end -- until the next Republican president. Kablooie Jan 2021 #8
Hopefully, unless we can somehow moonscape Jan 2021 #9
Probably not... regnaD kciN Jan 2021 #10

enki23

(7,786 posts)
2. I think we're going to need it. Sadly.
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:02 AM
Jan 2021

As bad as the electoral college is, it's not as bad as gerrymandering makes the house, or as bad as the glorious founders made the fucking senate.

Lithos

(26,387 posts)
5. No
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:05 AM
Jan 2021

They attempted to pull in the Imperial President after Nixon - but the safeguards were chipped away with slowly but surely. Look to what Reagan and Bush did when given the chance. The language though is the same, the same that a lothario does to their victim. Gets them drunk, uses soft pretty words, makes outlandish promises with with no intention of keeping including "I'll still respect you tomorrow". In the morning they are gone and the victim is hungover, their wallet gone, wondering what happened and why they feel cheap and likely needing professional attention.

L-

EthanBlue

(48 posts)
6. I think so
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:11 AM
Jan 2021

Republicans are big about limiting other people’s power. So you better believe that trump crud won’t fly with a Democrat doing anything close to what he did.


Republicans the definition of hypocrisy.

WA-03 Democrat

(3,011 posts)
7. Absolutely
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:13 AM
Jan 2021

Congress took the easy pass and handed over to much of their authority to the Executive post 9/11. We now know this is what happens when the branches are not equal. The wrong willed executive can shatter the entire system.

One person should not have the authority to nuke the world too. A President who can not be charged with a crime and controls the DOJ (due to an internal DOJ memo) is by construct above the law. A President peaceful transition needs to be codified into law.

We need to fix these gaps within the next four years. I would love to have a recall voting right on the President.

Kablooie

(18,544 posts)
8. Yes, it is the end -- until the next Republican president.
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 02:21 AM
Jan 2021

Then it will be pushed as Constitutional all over again.
That's the only thing Republicans believe in now.
Power. Any way possible. Just power.

regnaD kciN

(26,033 posts)
10. Probably not...
Fri Jan 8, 2021, 04:13 AM
Jan 2021

There was a lot of similar talk about ending the imperial presidency after Nixon's downfall. And, for a time, Ford and Carter tried a different approach, with less flexing of executive-branch muscle and more of a collaborative approach with Congress. But, in the long run, when problems occurred (and they are inevitable), they just got derided for being "weak," and voters rushed back into the arms of "Cowboy" Ronnie Reagan. It seems that, however much people might say that an imperial leader isn't what they want, voters have an almost reflexive, subconscious desire for having a Strong Man (or, maybe now, a Strong Woman) in charge to deal with everything for them. It would probably be better if it wasn't so, but I doubt it's going to change anytime soon.

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