Obama says he'll order review of executive orders


WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Barack Obama told House Democrats on Tuesday that as president he would order his attorney general to scour White House executive orders and expunge any that "trample on liberty," several lawmakers said.

Presidents, as head of the executive branch of government, issue such orders to direct operations of executive branch agencies, like the Justice Department and the CIA. For example, President Bush used an executive order last year to breathe new life into the CIA's controversial terror interrogation program that allowed harsh questioning of suspects.

Obama "talked about how his attorney general is to review every executive order and immediately eliminate those that trample on liberty," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

Obama did not mention executive orders when he addressed reporters who waited for him outside the closed-door meeting. He said only that he would be campaigning alongside members to win the presidency and help expand Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

"I am looking forward to collaborating with everyone here to win the election, but more importantly to collaborate with everybody here and also some like-minded Republicans to actually govern and to deliver on behalf of the American people," Obama said.

During his presidency, Bush increasingly has relied on executive orders to dictate policies without seeking congressional approval. His orders have ranged from restrictions on striped bass fishing to sanctions against Myanmar's government.

Obama did not indicate who his attorney general would be, or any other member of his Cabinet. To lawmakers who asked about his Cabinet plans, Obama said: "Get me elected, and then I'll worry about the Cabinet," according to Nadler.

Clyburn added that Obama said there were "people in the room with more expertise than him."

Obama's meeting with the House Democratic caucus came hours after he spoke with both Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about the faltering economy, part of his effort to refocus the campaign on domestic issues after last week's foreign trip.

Obama spokesman Michael Ortiz said the senator and Bernanke discussed the outlook for consumers and businesses, as well as the effect of rising home foreclosures on families nationwide. They also talked about the "strengths of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other financial institutions," Ortiz said.

Obama called Paulson as he rode to a meeting with Pakistan's new prime minister, the campaign said.

A campaign statement said Obama asked how the Treasury Department planned to use its new authority with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and whether the government had the tools it needs to address the challenges in the banking industry. As part of the government's effort to provide mortgage relief to hundreds of thousands of homeowners, Paulson has sought emergency power to rescue lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Congress approved a housing plan last week that would provide relief for 400,000 homeowners who can't afford their payments by allowing them to refinance their mortgages with more affordable, government-backed loans. President Bush has promised to sign the package into law.

In a day of meetings, Obama also met with Pakistan's new leader, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

At a fundraising luncheon, he said he told Gilani "the only way we're going to be successful in the long term in defeating extremists ... is if we are giving people opportunities. If people have a chance for a better life, then they are not as likely to turn to the ideologies of violence and despair."

http://www.examiner.com/a-1511751~Obama_says_he_ll_order_review_of_executive_orders.html?cid=rss-Politics

Well, what that means in politik speak is grab your butt because he is fixing to rip away more stuff. First rule of a politician is to lie, second rule is to say exactly opposite of what you intend, and third rule is to deny, deny, and deny. If you are naive enough to believe anything any politician says, I certainly have pity on you, and guess that you get what you deserve. JMAFO

LMAO,
Judging from who hes been meeting with, and what they've been discussing. I'd say he's already doing more good for this country, as a Presidential candidate, than Bush is doing as the President.

I like that!

He's getting a head-start on fixing Bush's screw-ups!!!

Hussein still wants to open our borders and stop mistreating the poor Illegal Invader.
I figure, he's like any other Politician. They all make promises and after they're in, they either forget what they promised or do exactly the opposite.
Ya' know how to tell a Politician is lying? His/her lips are moving.

I say we as the American people rise up and take the current government out and place the type of government we want in power. The constitution allows us to do so.

No he doesn't. Go look at his Senate speech.
He supports the wait 6 yrs, learn English, and pay back taxes bill that was up for vote a year ago!
So do I!!

sad but true, I still remember the line "read my lips, no new taxes", then he made more taxes
[edit] all I've ever known politicians to do is lie, cheat and steal from the American peoples.

good luck peeling ém away from the TV. Maybe if you tell them your going to
walmart that might get their attention..oooo..offer them a double latte from Starbucks..Im sure youll get the masses to stir then....

The OP,

Obama says he'll order review of executive orders


WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Barack Obama told House Democrats on Tuesday that as president he would order his attorney general to scour White House executive orders and expunge any that "trample on liberty," several lawmakers said.

Presidents, as head of the executive branch of government, issue such orders to direct operations of executive branch agencies, like the Justice Department and the CIA. For example, President Bush used an executive order last year to breathe new life into the CIA's controversial terror interrogation program that allowed harsh questioning of suspects.

Obama "talked about how his attorney general is to review every executive order and immediately eliminate those that trample on liberty," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

or offer them free hamburgers from mcdonalds

NOW youre talking....

for the rallies I'll offer free beer for anybody who would sit and stay through it.

I imagine he might have trouble addressing this issue specifically without a detailed list. Do you know why?

BUSH USED MORE SIGNING STATEMENTS THAN EVERY OTHER PRESIDENT BEFORE HIM COMBINED.

Keep in mind those presidents went through conflicts here in the U.S. and abroad, dealt with assignations and impeachment proceedings along with the great depression. Still Bush managed to "OUT SIGN THEM ALL COMBINED"

George W. Bush issued 23 signing statements in 2001; 34 statements in 2002, raising 168 constitutional objections; 27 statements in 2003, raising 142 constitutional challenges, and 23 statements in 2004, raising 175 constitutional criticisms. In total, during his first term Bush raised a remarkable 505 constitutional challenges to various provisions of legislation that became law.

That number may be approaching 600 challenges by now. Yet Bush has not vetoed a single bill, notwithstanding all these claims, in his own signing statements, that they are unconstitutional insofar as they relate to him.

Rather than veto laws passed by Congress, Bush is using his signing statements to effectively nullify them as they relate to the executive branch. These statements, for him, function as directives to executive branch departments and agencies as to how they are to implement the relevant law.

A list of signing statements 2001-2008 can be found at: http://www.coherentbabble.com/signingstatements/TOCindex.htm

Bush has vetoed several bills!

You're article is old.
He has more than made up for it since the Dem took the majority in Congress in 2006!

Since then he has vetoed 12 bills!

I dont understand what that has to do with White House executive orders though!
The number of the executive orders just means there is a drastic need to expunge some if not all of them.
It also means Obama's AG will be busy! Job security!!
Earn them tax-dollars paying his salary!!

You do bring up an interesting point that I hadn't realized before.

He didnt make a single Veto, he didnt object to a single bill while Republicans controlled the Congress!!
They didnt object to anything he did, and he didnt object to anything they did!!

Conspiracy???


Interesting point lynann

Yes, and that is why we have a government that works in secret.

What people don't know about they can't object to.

Like D i c k Cheney meeting with Enron, Halliburton executives and others in private.

In private because he didn't want the public to know what kind of deals he was cutting, because some of them might be illegal or a conflict of interest.

D i c k Cheney just being VP is a conflict of interest because he worked for Halliburton and STILL owns stock in it.

Everything about this administration has been about making the Bush and Cheney families and their crime family richer at the expense of the American people.

Personally any of them that gets the presidency is going to screw up...from what I've read about Obama, heard about Obama, and learned about Obama...I'd much rather see his screw-up then that of Hilary or Mccain.

No he dont. thats McCain that wants to do that

YEs, my post is old...he has used even more signing statements since then.

Still the veto is rare...look it up!

Signing statements are an end run around the congress. He used them at a crazy rate when his party held the majority. Know why? Because a veto can be over-ridden. A veto requires balls.

Signing statements are basically the pres patting the duly elected congress on the head, telling them thanks for this bill but the executive branch will not be following the law.

All the while steadily and quietly increasing the power of the presidential branch. If you support Bush and are short sighted this may seem fine. However future presidents with these powers may not be your cup of tea.