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tularetom

(23,664 posts)

44. Only Democratic presidents have no power

Tue Apr 30, 2013, 11:41 PM

Apr 2013

Bush assumed he had power to more or less do whatever he wanted (probably because he was told what to do by Cheney) from the moment he entered the white house. It's the old "Better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission" routine.

Democratic presidents (and Obama in particular) are far more likely to ask permission first than to act and beg forgiveness later. And I have to admit that approach makes no sense to me from a PR standpoint if nothing else. So he takes a stand and dares Congress to stop him. Maybe he succeeds and gets what he wants, maybe he gets his weenie wacked for usurping congressional authority. Big deal, at least even the dumbest among us would know who was the pimple in the side of progress.

"I couldn't do anything because Congress wouldn't let me" isn't going to be a very good way to remember him. But if he doesn't start acting like he is in charge of one of the three supposedly equal branches of government, that's exactly the impression most people will be left with.

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Obama LIED! He PROMISED to close down GITMO! [View all] jazzimov Apr 2013 OP

Obama claimed the power to indefinitely detain without charge, via *gasp* morningfog Apr 2013 #1

Proof? jazzimov Apr 2013 #3

Here: morningfog Apr 2013 #23

Are you kidding ...? 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2013 #31

You asked, I provided. morningfog Apr 2013 #33

Release someone that you know/strongly suspect will do you harm ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2013 #39

SO you support preemptive detention? morningfog Apr 2013 #41

I guess what you call "pre-emptive detention" ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2013 #46

Got it. We can pick up 14 year olds and hold morningfog May 2013 #83

So what doe does this line mean in your C&P? Sheepshank May 2013 #93

Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #114

Should that same pre-emptive detention go for anyone? morningfog May 2013 #115

Amen to that brother! The simplistic view of the Cha Apr 2013 #47

what you said! BlancheSplanchnik May 2013 #80

exactly right BlancheSplanchnik May 2013 #82

easy ----to rant about when you're sitting at your keyboard BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2013 #50

Well said! sheshe2 May 2013 #71

I second that! freshwest May 2013 #76

AGREED! Get out from your keyboard jazzimov May 2013 #75

You have no idea what difference I make in my community. morningfog May 2013 #116

+11111 LeftInTX May 2013 #106

The FACTS regarding GITMO, Obama, and Congress (for those that do not know them) Tx4obama Apr 2013 #2

"but, but, he PROMISED!" jazzimov Apr 2013 #4

Thank you. Iliyah Apr 2013 #17

Absolutely, I am so tired of the circular firing squad that comes up on a varity of issues, when still_one Apr 2013 #32

Yes this has been trolled to death by the left flamingdem Apr 2013 #5

Absolutely. I'm reminded of Jimmy Carter jazzimov Apr 2013 #10

I saw Dennis (Dept. of Peace) Kucinich make some people back off on this for that reason. freshwest Apr 2013 #15

Thank you for your honesty. jazzimov May 2013 #52

It amazes me ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #55

It gives one pause, and can terrifying, when one knows that one misstep can cost lives. The world freshwest May 2013 #62

this needs to be reiterated: jazzimov May 2013 #64

Thanks for the replies and the thread. We can do this if we want it. freshwest May 2013 #73

that's interesting---I didn't know Kucinich said this. BlancheSplanchnik May 2013 #112

Oh, it wasn't on the 'liberal' media. It was in person in an open meeting at my Dem precinct. freshwest May 2013 #113

You live in Ohio? Kolesar May 2013 #126

No, I live in the state that wanted him to move and run here. But he didn't. freshwest May 2013 #127

Not the Left ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2013 #34

You're correct. freshwest May 2013 #74

WTF- HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN????? Skittles Apr 2013 #6

Obama issued the XO almost immediately.... jazzimov Apr 2013 #7

while he's at it, can he hold bush/cheney accountable for war crimes? Skittles Apr 2013 #8

that's not up to him - that's up to US. jazzimov Apr 2013 #11

LOL Skittles Apr 2013 #12

THAT's your response? jazzimov Apr 2013 #18

I'm sure SKittles give a rats ass about your opinion, mr. newbie. RetroLounge Apr 2013 #24

THANKS RETROLOUNGE Skittles May 2013 #54

... RetroLounge May 2013 #56

And so THAT's your response, jazzimov May 2013 #63

Hi jazzimov! sheshe2 May 2013 #69

"I think some young blood is exactly what we need here" Number23 May 2013 #77

Stale Hermit crabs or Hermit's with stale toenails? sheshe2 May 2013 #78

Excellent Response, She. The "low post" count crap has nothing to do Cha May 2013 #91

As long as they support the fan club! morningfog May 2013 #117

Bitter people call supporting reality a "Fan Club". Cha May 2013 #118

You could be wrong. RetroLounge May 2013 #120

What the... Number23 May 2013 #53

Typical...moving goal posts. You want to start a new thread on this new topic? Sheepshank May 2013 #94

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Skittles May 2013 #105

you need a few more exclamation marks. Your outrage.... Sheepshank May 2013 #107

LOL Skittles May 2013 #109

That's right, jazzimov.. PBO is NOT MOPPING UP bushit FAST ENOUGH FOR THESE Cha May 2013 #87

"He (gasp!) actually restored and respected the checks and balances that the Constitution intended." OnyxCollie Apr 2013 #9

That's simple - jazzimov Apr 2013 #16

I love how we are told to vote sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #28

Only Democratic presidents have no power tularetom Apr 2013 #44

Exactly. And yet, we will be sold he same old promises in the next election only to be told sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #49

Oh, wonderful! Do a purity test just like the Tea Party jazzimov May 2013 #67

+1 Jamaal510 May 2013 #130

That has nothing to do with what I asked you. OnyxCollie Apr 2013 #37

Won't matter when the prisoners start dying. He'll be forever tarnished riderinthestorm Apr 2013 #13

Pure speculation. jazzimov Apr 2013 #20

Uh, force feeding is against virtually ALL medical and human rights orgs riderinthestorm Apr 2013 #30

The impeding deaths will be Obama's. They will have occurred under his watch. morningfog Apr 2013 #35

Here is the ProSense Apr 2013 #14

Awesome! jazzimov Apr 2013 #22

"We?" RetroLounge Apr 2013 #25

Yes, once gitmo is closed and the President no longer claims the right morningfog Apr 2013 #26

Nah, there's long history on this board of those who are invested in Cha Apr 2013 #36

There are also legitimate policies for which to complain. morningfog Apr 2013 #38

This isnt' one of them.. but, they can't help themselves. Cha Apr 2013 #40

This most certainly is one. morningfog Apr 2013 #43

No, it's not.. he wanted it done and the Senate voted against with only 6 Dems on board. Cha Apr 2013 #45

Like I said, this has very little to do morningfog May 2013 #84

It's your black mark.. nothing more. Cha May 2013 #88

How very calloused of you. morningfog May 2013 #90

Keep shoveling. Cha May 2013 #92

What prevented the Executive from transferring, releasing, or starting proceedings prior TheKentuckian May 2013 #85

Says you. Which means absolutely NOTHING. Cha May 2013 #89

What do you claim restricted the Executive as I described? TheKentuckian May 2013 #98

I think you are being a bit unfair. GitRDun May 2013 #95

I don't think so.. Cha May 2013 #96

If you have a point make it. GitRDun May 2013 #97

I'm not the one "ignoring reality". Cha May 2013 #100

As I said fee l free to make an argument GitRDun May 2013 #102

Yes, as soon as it's closed. Let us know when that happens. That gulag is a stain on this country sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #51

No, PBO didn't lie like some like to whine about.. Here's a Tweet from Sen Leahy about PBO & gitmo Cha Apr 2013 #19

The CinC can find a way to work up his own personal death by drone list, MadHound Apr 2013 #21

Oh, PLEASE let's talk about drones jazzimov Apr 2013 #42

Indeed. Democrats wage kinder gentler wars. It's like, Luminous Animal May 2013 #57

OK, but first of all, can you explain the disparity that I mentioned? MadHound May 2013 #79

This *just* happened to me. It was unnerving. nt LaydeeBug Apr 2013 #27

That is accurate RobertEarl Apr 2013 #29

Thank you. GITMO needs to be closed. jazzimov Apr 2013 #48

And then what? Transfered to our own torture supermax prisons? Luminous Animal May 2013 #58

He did promise to close Guantanamo. He didnt promise to close it "if Congress lets me". rhett o rick May 2013 #59

Yes, there are distinctions that need to be made, one can promise something... slipslidingaway May 2013 #60

I like the way you think. OnyxCollie May 2013 #68

Never read the book, but the passage you quoted is relevant ... slipslidingaway May 2013 #119

I would love to respond jazzimov May 2013 #72

So you say the president of the USofA is powerless to deal with Guantanamo? rhett o rick May 2013 #86

What is the most realistic solution. The step by step closing down and release of the prisoners? SleeplessinSoCal May 2013 #61

Bring them to trial or let them go. grahamhgreen May 2013 #66

LOL. You mean he's finally responding to the heat from progressives! And I, for one, support him on grahamhgreen May 2013 #65

He's responding to having to force feed morningfog May 2013 #111

That, too. grahamhgreen May 2013 #121

Nothing stops him from releasing the innocent prisoners right away. limpyhobbler May 2013 #70

"I" "Feel" "Betrayed" alcibiades_mystery May 2013 #81

Look, we get it. Union Scribe May 2013 #99

I'm absolutely disgusted with the partisan shifting of blame about Guantanamo.... mike_c May 2013 #101

The president gets the blame for making a promise he knew he couldn't keep... Orsino May 2013 #104

and now Obama fails as an accurate seer and revelator? Sheepshank May 2013 #108

No. As a Constitutional scholar, he knew in advance that Congress controls the purse strings. Orsino May 2013 #122

you are still barking up the wrong tree Sheepshank May 2013 #123

You make the president sound more foolish than I do. n/t Orsino May 2013 #124

you don't think requiring fortunetelling, crystal ball and Sheepshank May 2013 #125

Making promises beyond his power is stupid. n/t Orsino May 2013 #129

Tell me what politician doesn't tell everyone what they would like to see implemented? Sheepshank May 2013 #131

If he'd only phrased it that way, I wouldn't have much of a beef. Orsino May 2013 #132

Congress votes funds and declares wars, the CIC is the exec in charge of the military HereSince1628 May 2013 #103

Maybe not lied. Certainly, he has failed. morningfog May 2013 #110

We may be looking at an executive that is more about process than it should be, but not by too much, patrice May 2013 #128

Pfft. He said he'd close it in 2135. Then he's achieved unity and 100% support. JanMichael May 2013 #133