Couldn't Obama just do a signing statement? (Re: payroll taxcut, Keystone pipeline)

[bluestateguy]

Just sign whatever crap they put on his desk and then do a Bush-style signing statement that gives him the ability to stall, delay, obstruct and kick the can on the pipeline construction.

I'm fairly sure a way can be found to do that. And if somebody sues, then that would only play into the Administration's hands because the added time in litigation would only tie up the project still further.

If he does it this way, this may be one instance where 14 dimensional chess would actually work (although usually it's bullshit).

[MADem]

1. Yes, he absolutely could. And maybe he has.

Hell, Bush pulled that crap all the time--and got away with it.

[WCGreen]

2. I believe he has to do that during a congressional recess...

that was why the GOP held the congress open a while back with a just a few members.

I'm not sure on that but I think that is what happened...

[Orangepeel]

6. I think you are thinking of appointments

Signing statements are just explanations of how the President wants to interpret the law he's signing

[Roselma]

3. No, on the payroll tax cut. Yes, on the pipeline.

He will now have to make a decision on that pipeline within 60 days of the signing of the extension bill.

[housewolf]

4. The president doesn't have authority to issue signing statements about spending issues

The Constitution grants all revenue, budgetary and spending authorities to the Congress

[ArcticFox]

5. He needs to just veto

I was right way back when I said he should refuse to allow Bush tax cut extension just to get some shorter term unemployment relief.

the medicare tax relief is the same thing. If it would lapse, it would simply highlight the suffering imposed by the .1%. It would mobilize the people against republicans.

But Obama is part of the same big agenda, isn't he. He pretends to be on our side, but is not. He pledged to veto the military authorization act, then did not. He often says one thing, the populist thing, then does the other.

[nebenaube]

7. yep, and while he's at it he can reschedule cannabis...

like that will ever happen.