A BushCo question for you guys.

[lies and propaganda]

Right off the bat, let me say this Bolton shit is blowing my mind. I could not believe it when I read it. But I do have a few questions I need enlightenment on.
Technically, can Bush do this? Could he have done it weeks ago when he wanted but was just playing lip service with us?
Or...
Does he need some kind of Senate approval or anything?

I just thought we had such a shot to get Bolton out for good, and then I wake up today.....

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Yes, technically he can do it.

It's called a recess appointment.

A recess appointment is one of the executive powers enumerated in the Constitution: "The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the end of their next Session" (II, 2, 3). The provision was originally created to fill vacancies that actually occurred during a recess, but it has since morphed into an all-purpose executive tool to counter Senate intransigence.

http://slate.msn.com/id/1002994/

This means Bolton serves until the end of the 109th congress in 2007. 17 months to inflict damage worldwide.

[shoelace414]

2. Section 2

Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

[wli]

3. i.e. it's unconstitutional; the vacancy didn't happen during the recess

Not that Bushler gives a damn about the Constitution.

[fooj]

4. Wow. Why hasn't anyone brought this up?

I've never seen anything about this. Shit.

Peace.

[wli]

6. there's a precedent of ignoring that wording

Plus who's going to challenge Bush? The Democrats can't even get the motion on the floor.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Yeah, "happen during" being the key phrase.

[wli]

7. looks like Randi disagrees

Probably best to back off on it, as it sounded like a solid, differing interpretation.

[lies and propaganda]

8. thank you for clearing that up for me.

not as if laws and other such trivial things matter to BushCo, I was just curious.