Obama: White House aides should comply with congressional subpoenas.
Obama: White House aides should comply with congressional subpoenas.
Today, President Bush asserted executive privilege to hide global warming documents requested by the House Oversight Committee. Bush “has also asserted executive privilege to keep his chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers from having to provide information to Congress” about the U.S. attorneys scandal. At a press conference in Jacksonville, FL this afternoon, Sen. Barack Obama said that such blanket assertions of executive privilege are “completely misguided” and does not reflect how he would operate:
I think that nobody is above the law. If there are specific assertions of executive privilege, then, you know, those can be examined. But I think this notion, this blanket notion that you can’t subpoena White House aides, where there’s evidence of genuine wrongdoing, I think is completely misguided.
You know, as I recall, Richard Nixon mounted similar arguments. That’s not how we operate. We’re a nation of laws and not men and women. So, you know — and my — that’s a precedent I don’t mind living with as president of the United States.
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Funny, Scotty McC said that the Bush White House should “come clean.” That would take hundreds of washings and rincings to get out the overwhelming stench of 7.543 years of fascism.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:06 pmThe Repukes are scared shitless about the idea of Obama being president — with all the powers they gave to Bush.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:08 pmThese are some scary times we live in.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:32 pmcaption:
“Here George, let me help you get that log out of your eye…”
June 20th, 2008 at 10:33 pmSen. Obama needs to stop talking and tell the Republicans that he’s going to prosecute them once he takes office. Then and only then will they cooperate with Congress. This President has put himself and his staff members above the law and the weak weak weak Democrats haven’t done a thing about it. Bush needs to run over them until they get enough balls to stand up to him. This is exactly why you don’t install Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and Harry Reid as Majority Leader. They don’t have a pair of balls between the two of them.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:46 pmWatch for this to be the issue that really turns things around. Don’t forget to tell everyone you know about President Bush abusing executive privilege – again. There’s no legitimate reason for executive privilege related to the decision of whether the EPA should adhere to emission standards in California. Bush and gang didn’t want to do it b/c thier friends in corporate might have to pay a little for it. This is an abuse of executive power – it’s crazy for Bush to even attempt this, they are getting even more out of control.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:52 pmI need to go lie down…can’t com-pre-hend…reason…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:56 pmZooey Says:
The Repukes are scared shitless about the idea of Obama being president — with all the powers they gave to Bush.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Good!
From CBSNews.com:
After his long fight for the Democratic nomination, a new Newsweek poll conducted among likely voters nationwide shows the Illinois senator opening up a hefty lead over John McCain (51 percent to 36 percent).
June 20th, 2008 at 11:04 pmOnly one thing will stop me from voting straight 3rd party after todays capitulation with immunity for telcos passing.
Obama can earn my vote by filibustering the bill when it hits the senate. Thats it, nothing less will do after he praised the “compromise”.
If he cannot show he is actually for the Constitution and law, he earns my vote, otherwise its straight 3rd party and independents this year. I have no more faith left for the Democrats. The hell the the Democratic MisLeadership.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:16 pmCorrection:
If he can show he is actually for the Constitution and law, he earns my vote, otherwise its straight 3rd party and independents this year.
Phuck the lapdog Democrats.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:18 pmObama’s threat to reinstall democracy in America has republicans shaking in their jackboots.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:28 pmObama has to be careful in promising to prosecute repugs when he is in office — he needs the disappointed ones and the independents in order to get into the White House.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 pmHave faith, however, that he will do what is right.
As far as the Telco fiasco – many, many people are unhappy with that, but for the time being, in the national campaign season, Obama walks a fine line as he has to choose his words and his battles carefully — how he turns Bush’s powers around when he is in office and has the nation behind him is the true test.
I would have loved for him to take a firm stand a la Feingold on this issue, but I don’t think he can do so at this time, in his position.
There will be other issues on which he will disappoint us – we should expect that – but we have a two party system (no third party can win today) and we have to trust that his evenhandedness, his calmness, his intellect and his abilities will guide him always in the right direction.
The president of the United States is a public servant. He is not a private citizen, privy to the protections one normally would receive about one’s private conversations. By definition, every single thing the president does in the performance of his duties (other than those things that actually relate to the security of the nation, and not just because the president says they do) is a matter of public concern because the president serves The People. There is nothing in the language of the Constitution that says that the conversations the president has regarding matters of public interest may be kept from the public.
The defense of the concept of “executive privilege” rests in the incomprehensible idea that if the advice given the president was going to be made public, then people might be reluctant to give that advice. The Supreme Court once even said this and accepted it as valid. But I ask you, who would want the advice they give the president kept secret other than people giving advice that was not in the public interest? And why wouldn’t We the People not have a right to know who is giving that advice?
June 20th, 2008 at 11:34 pmgitrdone Says:
These are some scary times we live in.
Scary? Imagine walking in Barack Obama’s shoes!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 pmMarie Says:
…but we have a two party system (no third party can win today)…
Which is why we must do what we can to support alternative parties. It is the very nature of having two, and only two, major political parties that leads to the kind of polarization we see in this country today. Everything ends up having to be boiled down to two, and only two, choices. And as we all know, often times both of those choices suck.
We need more voices in Congress, and we have to build up to that. We need to start voting for non-Democrats and non-Republicans to state offices. Good service to the interests of the people in those bodies could lead to competitive bids for Congress a few years from now. It will take time, but it can be done if people like us help educate our fellow citizens as to what is going on. We can’t just keep leaving everything up to two, and only two, choices in political parties. Just because the fight will be hard does not mean it isn’t worth fighting.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 pmMarie Says:
but we have a two party system (no third party can win today) and we have to trust that his evenhandedness, his calmness, his intellect and his abilities will guide him always in the right direction.
My days of trusting Republicans or Democrats is over. No one is getting my vote if they do not honor their oath of office, that included Senator Obama. When I see him filibustering telco immunity on CSPAN then he earns my vote, otherwise my vote for President goes Green because I cannot vote for fascist who support destroying the Constitution, no matter the party.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 pmWayne Says:
my vote for President goes Green
Welcome to the third term of George W. Bush, my friend.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:50 pmshoeless Says:
Wayne Says:
my vote for President goes Green
Welcome to the third term of George W. Bush, my friend.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Not necessarily. If your state is unquestionably going to go one way or the other, then voting for a third party candidate could help that party earn enough votes to get on future ballots without having to gather signatures. But if you’re in a battleground state, then it might hurt your candidate to give him the bird and vote for a third.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:56 pmshoeless Says:
Wayne Says:
my vote for President goes Green
Welcome to the third term of George W. Bush, my friend.
No welcome to the Fascist States of America, because the Democrats have aided and abetted as well as shielded Bush, which they are still doing. We are just changing dictators now as far as I am concerned.
My shedding my own blood in defense of the Constitution was in vain. There is no more America. Wake up.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:57 pmmuch as I would like it, I don’t see how a third party can win – much less operate in the nation. If votes can be divided three ways, there would never be a majority – someone, explain it to me.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:00 amWhich other nations have a multi-party system?
June 21st, 2008 at 12:01 amWell, Wayne and Wayne, get set for 4 more years of McSame.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:02 amMarie Says:
Which other nations have a multi-party system?
Iraq has 124 third parties. But their purple fingers make it all good.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:04 amshoeless, that was one I had in mind – I can’t think of a western, democratic nation that has multiple parties – but it’s late and I am tired.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:06 amThis gesture is not enough. And Barack Obama’s capitulation on FISA earlier today is shameful. Until the Democrats defend our civil liberties and inalienable rights, I will neither vote for them nor contribute to their campaigns. I will not vote for a Republican, either, as they are misguided or evil to a one. So I will not vote for the first time in the twenty-plus years I have been eligible. I’m sad about that.
Peace Y’all
June 21st, 2008 at 12:06 am-davidkingofall
davidkingofall Says:
This gesture is not enough. And Barack Obama’s capitulation on FISA earlier today is shameful.
I agree. I wrote a nasty letter to Barack Obama about that earlier today. I never once wrote to George Bush, because I knew he didn’t give a crap. But, President Barack Obama will be hearing from me quite often.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:10 amMarie Says:
shoeless, that was one I had in mind – I can’t think of a western, democratic nation that has multiple parties – but it’s late and I am tired.
Italy is notorious for multiple parties, but it’s actually very common in Europe. What is peculiar is a two-party system, especially one in which the parties are so similar. Most European countries seem to have a true Left wing and often a very active Green contingent. This is an interesting graphic.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:15 amTanqueray Says:
Go suck razor blades, trollsh!t.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:16 amshoeless-
i’m tired of writing letters. if we don’t have some kind of revolution, we’re lost. no matter which party is in control, monetary interests control it all. that has to stop, now. i don’t hear Barack Obama saying that. He would have to say that explicitly and he would also have to filibuster the “compromise” until it is dead for me to be moved at all, much less motivated to vote. They’ve lost me, shoeless, they’ll have to win me back, and that doesn’t seem to be happening.
-david
June 21st, 2008 at 12:31 amThanks, gummitch. Marie, the idea is that you want only legislation that can get the approval of a majority of diverse views to pass, otherwise you get legislation that favors one party.
And I didn’t say that we should vote for a third party for president if you are in a battleground state. Nor did I suggest that any third party candidate for president has a chance of winning. Especially not when we have the antiquated, undemocratic electoral college which favors a two-party system (at the expense of real representation of the people’s interest.)
What I did say is that it may take several years, but we should start in the state governments. Get plenty of alternative parties in those bodies and let them build up support among their constituents there to run for Congress eight or ten years hence.
Giving up and limiting your choices in all races to the Democrats and Republicans guarantees you more of what you’ve been getting. Is that what you want?
Democracy takes courage. Be strong, and you won’t go wrong.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:43 amFor 20 years I have sworn to uphold and defend the constitution, all I needed to hear to get my vote.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:43 amWayne, Wayne, and Marie,
I understand what you are saying. I cast my first presidential vote for Eugene McCarthy in 1976. In 1980, I voted for John Anderson. I voted for libertarians Harry Browne and Ron Paul in the ’80s, and voted for Ross Perot twice.
When the Republicans impeached our president for a blow job, I finally realized they were insane, and they must be stopped.
That is why I became a Democrat in 1998, and I have voted straight Democratic ticket since.
That is when I realized, first we must get the insane Republicans out of office, then we can hash out our differences.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:55 amOT
nice find by Max-1 posted #68 in the savage article:
Dem Rep. calls for impeachment at McClellan testimony: video
a must see for all.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:58 amTanqueray Says:
You have quite the history of being a Loser.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:21 am
Said the racist Loser.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:31 amTanqueray Says:
You have quite the history of being a Loser.
Yes. That is my point. Republicans became so insane, that I finally had to become a Democrat(something I never thought I would become) in order to stop the insanity of the Republicans.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:47 am“SHOULD” comply? I wasn’t aware it was optional, I’ll be sure and tell that to the nice police officer and judge next time I’m subpoenaed.
June 21st, 2008 at 3:31 amObama is full of shit. He’s no different from Hillary, and that was proven with his support for the new FISA bill. You might as well elect Hillary, at least she has experience. Again, Obama is no different from Hillary.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:15 amBarack Obama claims using Executive Privilege to break American Laws is “MISGUIDED”? And, this is something he would not do?
“I think that nobody is above the law. If there are specific assertions of executive privilege, then, you know, those can be examined. But I think this notion, this blanket notion that you can’t subpoena White House aides, where there’s evidence of genuine wrongdoing, I think is completely misguided.”
“You know, as I recall, Richard Nixon mounted similar arguments. That’s not how we operate. We’re a nation of laws and not men and women. So, you know — and my — that’s a precedent I don’t mind living with as president of the United States.”
DUH … WHAT DID YOU SAY?
I am NO OBAMA supporter. Somehow, this “articulate” gentleman becomes nearly inarticulate, just like our current President, when there is no teleprompter in front of his face.
Now, for this comment, based on Sir OBAMA calling this executive privilege “MISGUIDED”? PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?
I’m sorry – I’m only a doctor, so I cannot understand what you are saying! But there is something that is really making me boil … I believe I see through to your many flaws, and if you are the best the Democrats have to offer, that, added to today’s betrayal of the public by the leaders of the party, who didn’t “capitulate” … they colluded, Americans are in deep trouble!
Yes, Ms. “OFF THE TABLE” Pelosi surely acted like a partner to the President today, when she pushed his bill giving the telecom corporations (retroactive) immunity, through the house. Then, other “united” Democrats put a spin on this bill, claiming it is a compromise, etc, when it rapes the fourth amendment to the Constitution and takes away America’s civil liberties.
And, all Mr. Obama can say is,
“misguided”?
You Obama-mammas out there … take a good look at your man. You might want to glance at the losing profiles of the last 7 losing Democrats – they are strikingly similar to Obama’s profile. Do you feel adequately supported by your man who claims today that adding defiance of the law to Executive Privilege is merely “misguided”?
Or, if you are like me, I need to see some balls on the next President. How about something like …
“He said what?”
“Where does he get off demanding the right to break whichever rules he chooses, showing no accountability, no responsibility?”
“What’s Presidential about this latest demand? It is well past the time for denying another right to a man who earned none but demands all!”
“Nobody has the right to request freedom to break any law, even this President.”
Instead, as admonishment, we are supposed to be happy with the accusation (”excuse me Mr. President, for doubting your rights to your request”) that this request is “MISGUIDED”?
GIMME A BREAK!
Then give me a real President, who can speak like a college graduate WITHOUT watching a speech someone else wrote for him on a teleprompter.
Has someone told the golden prince here that when one is a President, there is more off-the-cuff talk than written speeches? Barack Obama is as bad without a teleprompter as he is good with one.
Of all times for the public to fall for a fraud with a golden tongue, THIS IS NOT THE TIME!
Hey, read the second quoted paragraph. I didn’t compose it – I only copied it – the inarticulate sentences as they were written, and, unfortunately, as they were uttered by Barack Obama, who remains inarticulate without a speech to read.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:26 amIf Obama manages to overcome the GOP attempt to steal another election, look for the GOP to suddenly find the love of the constitution and become the defenders of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. When the Democrats took over, Eric Cantor (R-VA) and a few other cronies wrote a poor me, victim letter begging the Democrats to be nice and not to hurt them…
June 21st, 2008 at 4:43 amExpect more of the same…
June 21st, 2008 at 4:45 amObama: White House aides should comply with congressional subpoenas.
Uhh, only if you go by THE CONSTITUTION.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:50 amThanks, Wayne, shoeless, gummitch, et al.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:30 amI also futilely voted for Anderson and Perot in their time, but in our present system, 20% of the vote is useless.
Wayne, your long term view makes sense, but I don’t think it can be accomplished in the foreseeable future – except maybe the elimination of the electoral college.
For now, we have to work with what we have, and Obama is the person of the times. I’d like the chance to review my thoughts though in eight years.
Wayne Says:
My days of trusting Republicans or Democrats is over. No one is getting my vote if they do not honor their oath of office, that included Senator Obama.
Wayne, I suggest you call Obama’s office and tell them how you feel about what he did. I called and I also suspended my monthly contribution to his campaign until he rights this wrong.
(866) 675-2008
Don’t give up when you call. I think he is getting slammed. If you get a message saying “voice mail box is full”, just hit 0. Keep doing that and eventually you will talk to a person.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:30 amrepublicans hate facts Says:
But then, anyone DUMB enough to think Hillary was a member of “The Family” isn’t exactly high on the intellectual pinnacle of things…. ROTLF!!
And you are dumb enough to think that Hillary would have handled the FISA thing any differently.
Really RHF, you need to get some therapy to learn to deal with your anger and grief. If you don’t, it is going to eat you up inside until you become a bitter old fool. I actually think you are there already, but therapy might be able to turn you around and bring you back to humanity.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:45 amObama stated: “I think that nobody is above the law….” He should amend that to “I think that nobody is above the law, except telecomm and the Chaney/Bush administration illegal wiretaps…”
Call Obama Campaign
(866) 675-2008 listen to the spiel on giving. Wait until the message say “press 4” then press 6. You will be connected to a volunteer.
You might mention that Obama’s fund raising has flattened out and you are withholding your contributions due to his stance on immunity.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:53 amTo all here whom I used to chat over the past 7 years…
During 2007 I gave up on the Democrats. This latest attack on us by the Republicans AND the Democrats and which has been enjoined by Obama is just further proof that WE have been on the wrong path by hoping the Democrats were not IN ON IT ALL…
I and many others that were working against the Republicans ever since they impeached for a BJ gave up on the Democrats last year and tried a “hostile takeover” of the Republican party through Ron Paul.
The Strange Bed Fellows effort that has recently been started shows that we “Ron Paul” people and the “Progressives” can work together by setting aside partisanship … the same type of partisanship that has made the Republicans and the Democrats into what they are today.
Want to do more than just vote for Obama and HOPE beyond all reason and logic that he will be any different?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1450757064420836741&q=Constitutional+Crisis%3A+The+Profound+Solution&ei=3-VbSObVJorQ4gL1–3sDg&hl=en
We need to set aside partisanship and pool our efforts.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:56 amWill be seeing RHF actively campaigning for the PUMA Party soon?
In your mind, if we support Obama (a Black man) and not Hill (A White woman), we are discriminationg?
Explain that one to me, OK?
June 21st, 2008 at 12:02 pmGo around the bought off and corrupt media…
http://www.BreakTheMatrix.com
June 21st, 2008 at 12:03 pmShoeless – I called myself non-partisan UNTIL the Clinton impeachment, aired 24/7, showed me what scum the repukelicans are. At that point, I started voting Democrat straight down the ticket and I will continue that practice until we get them cut down to a tiny representation in congress.
They are cheaters, criminals and brainless AND the ONLY way they managed to take over congress & the pResidency for the past 2 terms is by grand theft.
2002 showed the power of the reThug-owned blackbox voting machines. Unbelievable last minute “upsets” that went completely against the polls turned my state of GA from BLUE to RED. 2002 was the year GA Sec. of State Cathy Diebold Cox installed Unauditable, Electronic Voting Machines in 100% of our precincts. This is an ongoing thievery … the only way we can hope to elect an “other than republican” is with a veritable Tsunami of votes they can’t manipulate without being caught.
I agree with the comment that we cannot vote for a Green Party candidate in ‘08 without running the risk of allowing the party of McInsane/McBombers another term in office. And I’m scared/sickened to death of that scenario.
Here’s a comment Jonathan Turley made on his website jonathanturley.org [ref. article "Democratic Leadership Caves to the White House and Telecommunication Lobby on Immunity"] —
Barack Obama is up against a well-gamed system, but I give him my support to do what he can [or has to do] to get into office and change what he can. He can only effect change if we help him by being actively involved as citizens. And we have to remove as many reThugs as we can so their power is neutered.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:04 pmrepublicans hate facts
Yer an idiot. ROTFL!!!
June 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pmRegarding the Democratic cave in on FISA – This came from Democratic Underground and it is plausible.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:11 pmShould there be another terrorist incident between now and November and this bill was not passed then the Republicans would very likely be able to completely change the existing public sentiment and effect the results of the General Election. Democratic Leadership decided it was better to take the issue off the table now and address it again after the election.
Arn Gunnutes – spot on.
McCain’s background, his political record, his ethics, his ignorance and unawareness of important matters are so Bush-like it is scary.
People who would believe his line of bull, and the RNC, couldn’t find their behinds with both hands.
BTW,
June 21st, 2008 at 1:16 pmthe AFL-CIO is spending $53.4 million to reach 13 million of its members and their families. The plan is to try to peel them away from McCain by persuading them to vote their economic interest, which they say would be hurt by McCain.
How about these FACTS: Senator Obama isn’t a member of the DLC so he didn’t vote to support the war, and he didn’t support that ridiculous Kyl-Liberman amendment whereby Congress declared the Iranian military a terrorist organization so that Bush could use this declaration as a proxy war.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pmChucky RHF, juxtaposed with your pledge not to vote for McCain, are your efforts to belittle Obama, clearly intended to help McCain. Not much better than a blank ballot. Calling him “little feller” (referencing a post of yours a few days ago) is heading into territory that makes the “Sock Obama” manufacturers have a sense of glee.
I’m going to give you a firm warning: Drop your harassing obsession with Zooey and Miss Molly, and others, understand that the democratic primaries are over, and stop repeating your unfounded crap. Otherwise, I’m going to call for a flood of emails to Faiz request your ban, or you can email him yourself and request that your account be closed. You’re not fooling anyone here.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:55 pmI knew when Kucinich was ousted by MSNBC that we were in for a royal screwing. I understand that strong Obama supporters are scrambling to put a brave or encouraging face on this slap-in-the-face by Obama, but the facts are the facts: Obama is by far one of the top three leading recipients of telecom $$$. Regarde:
1. John McCain $176,800
2. Hillary Clinton $106,300
3. Barack Obama $87,236
(breakdown)
AT&T:
2. Obama, Barack (D-IL) $43,483
3. Clinton, Hillary (D-NY) $43,400
5. McCain, John (R-AZ) $23,700
Verizon:
1. Clinton, Hillary (D-NY) $24,850
2. Obama, Barack (D-IL) $22,753
5. McCain, John (R-AZ) $19,350
The truth is, Obama is doing what he got paid by the telecom monopolies to do: Sell out. I’m not a fan of Obama simply because he was
chosenanointed by the MSM when Kucinich’s and Feingold’s proposals and policies are decades ahead of Obama’s on the Iraq war, big corporations, tax cuts, etc. That said, and with Pelosi and her Nancy-Boys giving away our Constitutional checks and protections, (and Reid handing out cigars for this travesty) the Obama faithful need to lean hard on your candidate and his influence to stop this fascist wet dream.The dems are no better than the republicans, with the exception of a few superstars: Kucinich, Feingold, Rep. Scott of VA, Wexler, Dodd, Waxman, and a scant couple of others.
Our choices by which we’re going to rescue this country from corporate conglomerates, corruption and lobbyists is almost reduced to this resigned choice: Warpaint or Mask?
June 21st, 2008 at 1:57 pmI thought executive priviledge could only be invoked incase of national security measures not global warming.I hope Obama puts all these Reich Wing CHIMPS to trial so real Americans can watch them squirm and go to jail…..
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 pm