On CNN:President Bush tried and gave up....

[Uben]

...Obama decided to change the rules.

One might say Bush quit, but Obama found a way around the grid-lock, which the poor little ignorant republicans want so dearly to keep in place until they control both houses of congress. I say ignorant because they could have done the same thing but chose not to.
CNN could have stated that way, but chose to take the partisan approach of "changed the rules". HE didn't change any rules, he just chose to selectively enforce them....you know, kinda like the way republicans selectively treat bankers.

Isn't it fun to see them whine?

[yeoman6987]

1. Fegardless, it is going to be a long two years.

[unblock]

2. shrub used plenty of executive orders, while the media touted the "unitary executive" theory

republicans firmly believe that the most important governing institutions are whichever ones they control at the time.

[treestar]

4. Yes, Exec Orders are just fine

When one of theirs is using them. They are always hypocrites. Their only consistency.

[True Blue Door]

3. The last Bush to be President of the United States left office in 1993.

Bit of a tangent, but it still irks me to see W called "President."

[BlueStreak]

5. Obama has nothing to lose now except "legacy"

I don't think Obama would actually want an impeachment on his record, but this would be the stupidest move the GOP could ever make. So Obama might as well push them to the limit, maybe even actually crossing the line on some "impeachable offenses" just to stir up the shit within the Party. Boner and the Turtle know impeachment would be fatal for the GOP, but they have a rabble behind them that may not back them .

Either way Dems win by pushing the limits for the next 2 years. This should be our version of the "Caucus Room" meeting where the key 'Thugs decided to obstruct everything. Obama's strategy should be to quietly behind the scenes, push the GOP into a position on every issue that the teabaggers will be chomping at the bit continuously to start impeachment hearings. At some point, Boner and the Turtle will have to make some deals with Obama or else effectively give up their leadership to the teabaggers.

The bully pulpit ant the veto pen are powerful weapons when used tactically like this. Obama should understand he isn't going to advance any of his causes n a big way so hie entire focus should be on engineering a full-out Civil War inside the GOP. Obama can do this with a smile while always appearing to be the adult in the room. He has invested 6 years into being known as the adult in the room. This is his payoff. That is his political capital at this point.