USNews: Bush Preparing Series Of Executive Orders

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http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/politics/2007/11/02/ken-walsh-on-the-presidency.html

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Bush readies government by executive order

Faced with potential gridlock almost across the board, Bush has ordered his staff to prepare a variety of executive orders and administrative actions that will let him end-run Congress for the remainder of his term. This has been done by presidents before, but Bush's plans seem more extensive. White House officials say that Bush is considering a lengthy series of unilateral actions on hot-button topics such as reducing reliance on fossil fuels by encouraging alternative energy sources, limiting the importation of dangerous toys from China, restricting illegal immigration but still allowing needed agricultural workers to enter the country, improving veterans' healthcare, and alleviating air-traffic congestion.

"He wants to be thoughtful about this," says a senior White House official. "In almost every case, we would like to see legislation." But if Congress can't or won't act, Bush tells aides, he will move ahead on his own. Of course, this will further inflame the Democrats and make cooperation on Capitol Hill even less likely.