home

The Now Not So Irrelevant President?

I had my fun with some Village bloggers regarding their arguments defending President Obama as not being able to control the Congress, so I must admit to an internal chuckle when I read this from Ezra Klein today:

Bush had this right. In his first year in office, he was using recess appointments and running major legislation through the reconciliation process. That normalized those moves for the rest of his administration. Using those tools wasn't a story. The Obama White House, by contrast, is holding those moves in reserve, which has allowed Republicans to paint them as extraordinary measures. But they're not extraordinary measures. They're basic elements of governance in an era of polarization and procedural obstructionism, and the White House should treat them that way.

Now he tells us. For a year, he told us Obama could not do such things. Well, better late than never.

Speaking for me only

< Hating "the Left" | What Obama Said About Bankers' Bonuses >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    The difference between then and now (5.00 / 0) (#3)
    by lewke on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:37:34 PM EST
    is that in 2001, Republicans didn't control the Senate (though he did continue doing recess appointments even when Republicans retook the majority).  Having to resort to those measures when you have a 59-41 advantage on the other hand...

    The real laugher though is Klein saying "Using those tools wasn't a story." Bush recess appointments weren't a story?  Klein must have forgotten his own words on the subject because for him to support them now is definitely an about face.

    Again, the assumption is that Obama (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 02:42:13 PM EST
    doesn't like things the way they are. He does and that's why he does NOTHING about it.

    Ah youth! (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 11:51:35 AM EST
    Sigh...

    Lots of open circuit slots (none / 0) (#2)
    by andgarden on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:05:23 PM EST
    that he could have filled more easily with 60 votes. On with it!

    The Senate approved Judge Joseph Greenaway (none / 0) (#6)
    by Peter G on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 08:30:38 PM EST
    from Newark for the Third Circuit federal appeals court yesterday by 84-0 vote, to fill the slot that has been empty for more than three years, since Alito was elevated.  A very good choice, too.  A worthy celebration of the lifting of the Alabama Embargo.

    Parent
    I noticed (none / 0) (#7)
    by andgarden on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 08:44:41 PM EST
    It looks as though the 3d Cir. now has a nominal Democratic majority. And there's still a vacant seat.

    Parent
    The open seat on the Third Circuit (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Peter G on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 09:23:36 PM EST
    is to be filled by Judge Tom Vanaskie from Scranton, who has already been approved by the Judiciary Committee.  Another good choice, based on the cases I've had before him.

    Parent
    Ezra's just making a living, is all. (none / 0) (#5)
    by Radix on Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 03:18:06 PM EST