Rep. Issa pushing to limit first lady’s power to ‘protect’ her ‘historic role.’
By on Mar 27th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Rep. Issa pushing to limit first lady’s power to ‘protect’ her ‘historic role.’
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and his conservative allies are pushing for legislation that would limit the first lady’s ability to do substantive policy work. Issa had originally proposed the bill last year, in fear of Bill Clinton moving back in to the White House. But he insists the bill is only about ensuring “transparency” for the work of first ladies, adding, “We are trying actually to protect the historic role of the first lady.” Or, as Gawker summed up Issa’s proposal in its headline, “Congressman Wants Michelle Obama To Shut Up And Look Pretty.”
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Business
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Glenn Beck
Global Warming
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Politics
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Sports
Steele
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Tea Party
Terrorism
Veterans
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
Conceptually I agree. Michelle Obama does not have a security clearance, nor is she an elected official, so anything that she does should be available to the rest of the public.
However, this is just childish taunting.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:01 pmWow.
It may be time to put Handmaid’s Tale into heavy rotation on Bravo.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:01 pmWe are trying actually to protect the historic role of the first lady.”…….
You want her to make ice cream??
March 27th, 2009 at 4:02 pmIssa is an ASSA.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pmGood Dog…
Have these fools NOTHING better to do?
Oops… my bad… we are talking REPUBLICANS here, aren’t we?
I’m sure this one will rank right up there w/ The War on Christmas as a milestone in the history of the country.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pmMichelle Obama does not have a security clearance, nor is she an elected official, so anything that she does should be her own business.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pmWhy is it that every idiotic idea has support from the right??
Newt wanted to put poor kids in orphanages.
This is on par with that.
I keep thinking that no one would support some of this crapola. Nope, always a repub (usually in the house) who will support ANY DAMN IDEA.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pmThis sorry SOB has got wayyy to much time on his hands.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:08 pmSomebody get him a job where he actually has to perform in order to feed his family.
maybe someone should sponsor legislation restricting issa to 5 minutes of talking privileges a day
March 27th, 2009 at 4:08 pmdeebaser Says:
Conceptually I agree. Michelle Obama does not have a security clearance, nor is she an elected official, so anything that she does should be available to the rest of the public.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
_________
Well, there are two sides to that coin. Since she’s not an elected official, it means she’s a private citizen, and is entitled to the same privacy protection as other non-elected public figures.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:09 pm.
Yep,
Because we all know “Victory Gardens” aren’t cut out for First Ladies, NO?
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/washingtons-not-so-secret-garden/?hp
.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm“any government policy group that Mrs. Obama or another first spouse regularly participates in would be subject to a law requiring meetings to be announced in advance and, in most instances, public.”
I guess the same standards wouldn’t apply to their VP? Got Energy Task Force?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pmparanoid much?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:15 pmNancy Pelosi will kill this. She and the other house Democrats won’t let this foolishness pass. This is just stupid. Next!!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:15 pm.
Of course we all know that America can’t have an influential First Lady…
http://www.wwd.com/lifestyle-news/americas-most-influential-first-ladies-1851746
… Eh, Issa?
.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pmIf they want to treat her like a public official then they need to pay her like a public official. Otherwise go work on that imaginary Republican budget of yours and STFU, Issa.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pm.
Shorter Issa: Women, know thine place!
.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pmIf Issa engages in a battle of wits with Michelle Obama he’s going to get his clock cleaned. Where’s the popcorn?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pmHow much does a woman with a brain scare the republicans?
I rest my case!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pmRep. Darrell Issad0uchebag
March 27th, 2009 at 4:23 pmRaid Says:
——————————————————————————–
Actually Michelle should take her shovel and wheelbarrow to Fargo and at least make a show of helping since her husband seems to be busy.
Or maybe Barrack Obama don’t like white people!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Michelle would be better off beating you to death with that shovel …………And so would we
March 27th, 2009 at 4:23 pmRaid Says:
She could… but she’d probably get in the way of all this help that Obama is sending…
Or maybe you don’t know what disaster relief is supposed to look like?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pmRaid,
After comment #21, I have to ask, why are you here?
To stirr up racist views? Bored? You do know that McCoins were pulled from circulation after the election due to their devaluation, NO?
FLAGGED FOR RACE BATING!
March 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pmWhy aren’t you up in Fargo raid? Too much actual work for keyboard jock?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:30 pmRaid Says:
Actually Michelle should take her shovel and wheelbarrow to Fargo and at least make a show of helping since her husband seems to be busy.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
_________
Why, so you can criticize her for taking advantage of the flooding for a photo-op? What good could she possibly do, besides pulling emergency personnel away from their duties to handle security?
And, just FYI, the President doesn’t hate white people.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:30 pmTypical conservative: Issa likes his women docile and powerless (probably pious, pure, domestic, and submissive, too, with apologies to Barbara Welter).
Whatsamatter, Darrell? You afraid of getting beat up by a girl?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:31 pmbelaccifer lacca Says:
“Or maybe you don’t know what disaster relief is supposed to look like?”
Republicans only think that photo-ops make everything all better.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:31 pmRepublicans are some of the biggest d0uches on the planet. Why are they always attacking the wives of Democratic candidates or representatives?
March 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pmRep. Darrell Issa had a novel idea once. We told him to treat it kindly for it was in a strange place.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pmIssa should worry about what he’s not doing rather than what Michelle Obama is doing.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:39 pmI guess Issa, with nothing better to do, decided to take on the First Lady. I mean after all he DOES have a lot of time on his hands once he pushes that NO button. It’s not like he is helping formulate an alternative to the budget bill.
Just pathetic, can’t win against the husband so take on the wife.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:40 pmJust so I can try to keep them straight in my head:
Isn’t Issa the one who said that Gray Davis should be recalled in California, then cried when he wasn’t elected governor to replace him?
And where was he when Laura Bush was the first lady? (Then again, can anyone name ANYTHING that Laura Bush was substantially involved in besides occationally reading to an elementary school class for a photo op?)
March 27th, 2009 at 4:45 pmRaid Says:
Flagged this racist POS
March 27th, 2009 at 4:45 pmI can’t find the link in my history, but I just read that he withdrew the legislation. Politico, I think. If the Republicans did as much substantive policy work as they fear the First Lady might, perhaps they’d be more effective.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:46 pmMy referance to “Do they want her to make ice cream” was in the historical context of First Ladies…ie Dolly Madison…must repulicans (strict Constuctionist) want the U.S. to revert back to the early 19th century..
March 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pmHi Raid
March 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pmIf you haven’t already been eliminated by then be sure to come by around midnight. We can have a nice little chat. Problem is they always end up the same way. Me still here and you gone bye-bye…
“I’m an idiot so I got FLAGGED AGAIN. I got my @$$ handed to me by the TP message board and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt”—Raid
March 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pmRaid- you are a complete dipsh@t!! Obama has already dispatched FEMA, evacuations are being completed and a federal emergency has already been declared on Tuesday. Compared to Bush “playing” guitar and stuffing his face with birthday cake while New Orleans flooded…yeah nice comparison moron.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pmDear Darrell Issa,
As a fellow Californian I really wish you would turn your attention to the many, many more important tasks which face us as a state and a nation.
Your immediate cooperation is expected and appreciated.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pmI nominate Elenor Rooseveldt as a proper First Lady role model. Witty, outspoken, and with an inner light and grace.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:09 pm#42, me too. She also was the moving force behind the International Declaration of Human Rights.
michelle Obama reminds me of her a lot, Class, senstivity and charm – all the things that Darryl Issa is lacking in.
Issa has done more damage to california than most Republicans ever dream of.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:17 pmBarefoot and Pregnant is a protected role ?
Of course, I do see a big jump from the Repub 1st ladies (Laura Bush = Stepford Wife) and the dem 1st ladies (either Hilary Clinton or Michelle Obama could do a formidable job at almost anything they applied themselves to).
March 27th, 2009 at 5:18 pmThey sure do believe in outdated “traditional” roles for women, don’t they?
They want Michelle to be as useless and stupid and Laura, Barb-arian, and Nancy.
The truth? They’re afraid of those Powerful Arms. The re-Thuglics are all shitting their pants over the idea of a strong and intelligent woman ANYWHERE near the White House.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:19 pm*
Legislating the role of the First Lady is stupid and pointless.
How many have staged coups in the past?
What a bunch of Asshats.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm*
The number of people who can influence policy that are not elected officials is staggering but if the great buffoon is willing to give up all of his staff and ban lobbiest then I can sign on too.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pmYes, I would say Issa’s image of the “perfect” First Lady would be Dolly Madison, whose only real impact was fashion and style. Jackie Kennedy was also a good “role model” for him, since her influence was also mostly about style and fashion, though she did promote the arts. No criticism of Nancy Reagan, of course, whose influence with the her husband was well known, including White House staff changes. No transparency there!
March 27th, 2009 at 5:25 pmIssa is a weasel. Would he have attempted this with Laura?
March 27th, 2009 at 5:27 pmHis idea should be shot down, publicly.
Where was all this protection and clearence when Laura Bush was going around the World promoting Woman’s Rights and when Laura came on TV to promote her husband’s policies. CNN Ed Henry did his best to humiliate the President and got smacked down with words. Look for Rep. Issa to fine himself having coffee with Coleman at a park bench remembering what it was like to work as a Law Maker. Attacking Obama is fine he can take care of himself but now it’s personal and Issa will wish he had just done his job for the people he represents. What would a real man do when his wife is attack?
March 27th, 2009 at 5:27 pmIssa should be threatened by our lovely First Lady. She probably packs a powerful punch to backup her feminism and her very impressive intelligence.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:29 pmPropose your bill. It will be fun to watch the humiliation you endure.
Jihad Darrell would also like First Lady Obama to wear a burka and a veil.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pmIssa wants to do what? This women can’t be a representive, she can’t be serious!
March 27th, 2009 at 6:17 pmLets see, adjectives for Republicans please? The “Three Stooges” are looking brillant along side these clowns. I swear they are so dimwitted these days. I strongly suspect they are sedated with some drug.
They have been running the country for 8 years, no wonder we are in this mess. I guess someone should tell them the party is over and they really should get back to work, their jobs are on the line!!!
Issa has forgotten he’s under investigation with Jerry Lewis for corruption as the US Attorney Lam was fired by Bush just before she filed indictments. Then he has ethics charges that have never been heard by Boxer looks like someone should start these matters. I can only wonder if any Law Maker attacked Laura Bush as First Lady what would Americans and Media plus Law Makers do about that.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pmWhenever you hear Issa, think car alarm. He made a fortune selling ‘em.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:28 pmIssa is under investigation, good.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pmIssa and his supporters need to find something more constructive to do with their time! Shyte, they need to go help Boehner and Cantor come up with a REAL budget!!! OMG! ROTFL! My sides are still hurting from laughing at Boehner holding up that “Fudget”! RAHHAHAHEHRHAAHHEEEEHEEHAAHA!
March 27th, 2009 at 8:09 pmI find it funny that Issa’s resolution addresses the “first spouse”. He had it prepared a while ago in case Hillary became President. I hope someone informs him that it should work for some future President with a same sex spouse also, I’m sure he’ll love that thought!
March 27th, 2009 at 8:17 pmThese idiots are scared silly of the Obama family.
It’s a very good thing…
March 27th, 2009 at 8:39 pmThis train of thought in right in line with michelle bachman wanting to write into law that we will not change our money into universal bucks! where do they come up with this s**t? I think if the repubs put their collective thoughts together, they couldn’t formulate a recipe for white cake let alone a budget proposal!
March 27th, 2009 at 8:40 pmOh oh.
Rep. Darrell Issa has his panties all up in a bunch!
There’s actually women that voted for this guy. And I’m sure Billo is wondering what they were wearing.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:01 pmWill Issa go after the Obama children next in order to get back at their Father? How low will these Republicans go to make our country look like idiots. We as we should showed respect to every first Lady and their children until now. What would Issa do if a Law Maker attacked his wife or children? Will Americans allow this as an example for our children to follow as sore losers in an election.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:27 pmMichelle has the “look pretty” down pat. Somehow I doubt she will ever be a “success” in the shut up arena. And that is as it should be.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:36 pmDamn, I wish that little closet case would shut up himself or come out. He has so much pent up anger towards everyone.
Can you imagnine being married to THAT?
March 27th, 2009 at 9:42 pmI guess the Republicans are nostalgic for Nancy Reagan, who shopped and consorted with soothsayers, Barbara Bush, Sr, who ate, swilled booze, plotted revenge and ghost wrote for her dog, and Laura W. Bush, who smoked, swilled booze and talked up her brief career as a school librarian.
Michelle Obama is well qualified for a sub-cabinet appointment, so make her an assistant or deputy secretary and let her use her brain.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:40 pmI like it. After 200+ years of US History some moron is going to try and pass legislation to ‘define’ what a First Spouse can do.
Other than make your entire career look silly, boyo? No legislation will stop that and get ready for it to happen if you go after her. Michelle Obama is so far out of your league, Issa you should consider a career of drying cars.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:43 pmIssa is truly threatened by a strong woman. There was no concern when the bookish Laura was the First Lady, when Hillary was the First Lady, when the starry-eyed Nancy was the First Lady.
Me thinks this man cannot stand the concept of a women who has her own thoughts and/or ideas outside the boundary of being beholden to a man. Cripes, she might even hold property…
This says it all about Repubs… if your woman won’t shut up and stay in the kitchen with fourteen kids in tow, we’re going to legislate that she does.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:15 amIs this really a winning issue for Issa with his female constituents? Somehow I don’t think Issa had a problem with Laura Bush speaking publicly about human rights violations by the junta in Burma, which was not only an issue of policy but an issue of foreign policy.
Michelle Obama has not indicated in any way that she is going to work on substantive government policy. She has said only that she wants to reach out to veterans’ families and speak on the importance of public education, both well within the realm of traditional First Lady functions. Taking on the popular First Lady makes Issa look like the partisan hack that he is.
Next up: Issa takes on Sasha and Malia, and introduces legislation to dismatle their swing set.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:21 amIssa, another RepubliCon stooge, solving the big problems that confront America.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:32 amMore overt misogynistic Racism from the Reich…..who are still whining about Nov`s beat down of Gramps and Barbie.
March 28th, 2009 at 9:46 amRaid seems to have forgotten–or maybe never knew–that Obama’s mother was white, as was the ailing grandmother he visited in Hawaii just before she died and just before he was elected President.
Raid Says:
March 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm——————————————————————————–
Or maybe Barrack Obama don’t like white people!!!
I would have expected nothing less from a conservative Republican from my native home state, which is why I left it. The Democrats are no better and both parties have turned the Golden State into a three ring circus. Issa is another typical looney toon from CA.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:50 am