Cheney: Obama 'not likely to cede authority' (will “appreciate” the expansions of executive power)

[sabra]

Source: Politico

Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that President-elect Barack Obama will “appreciate” the expansions of executive power achieved during the Bush administration and is unlikely to cede authority back to Congress.

“Once they get here and they’re faced with the same problems we deal with every day, then they will appreciate some of the things we've put in place,” Cheney said during an interview on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.

“We did not exceed our constitutional authority, as some have suggested,” Cheney insisted. “The President believes, I believe very deeply, in a strong executive, and I think that's essential in this day and age. And I think the Obama administration is not likely to cede that authority back to the Congress. I think they'll find that given a challenge they face, they'll need all the authority they can muster.”

...

“Guantanamo has been very, very valuable. And I think they'll discover that trying to close it is a very hard proposition,” he said.

“Remember, these are unlawful combatants,” Cheney explained. “These are people who don't belong to any recognized military force. They don't obey the rules of warfare. They're unlawful combatants. And you if you're not going to have a place to locate them like Guantanamo, then you either have to bring them here to the continental United States and I don't know any member of Congress who's volunteering to have al Qaeda terrorists deposited in his district.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16594.html

[av8rdave]

1. The VPs first name is so appropriate

[T Wolf]

2. I would love to see Pres. Obama use those expanded authorities to crush the GOP and its minions.

They are worse than a cancer in the US and need to be removed, by any means necessary.

After we get our country back on the correct path, the government can be returned to the democracy it should have been all along.

But for now, destroy them.

[Acadia Blue]

19. I agree with you. I never thought I would feel so strongly about

the republicons but I do now because of how extreme and uncompasionate they have become. I wish they would be replaced by a more moderate sane, science appreciating, educated party.

[aquart]

31. And you would be as completely and utterly wrong as Dick Cheney.

Do you really find fascism a more convenient and viable form of government?

[Psephos]

33. Well said n/t

[T Wolf]

38. You obviously do not know the meaning of the word fascism. It has nothing to do with

executive authority, but means the ownership of the government by and for the purpose of corporate dominance.

As for a little benign dictatorship - it can be useful as a temporary device. And this country needs to take drastic action to reverse the damage done by the pukes. Think of it as amputation. Not always the best medical procedure for a case (e.g., a hangnail), but in desperate situations (e.g., gangrene), it is necessary to save the patient.

To make an omelet, sometimes you have to break a few eggs.

[izquierdista]

3. By all means, keep Guantanamo open

George and Dick are going to have to have some place to stay while their lawyers work on their case.

[cosmicone]

17. What lawyers?

Let them be there with no lawyers, no outside contacts and refuse to confirm or deny their imprisonment!!

A bit of waterboarding and butt pyramid would add spice to their lives.

[silverojo]

36. But PLEASE...NO pics of THAT butt pyramid!

Seeing Bush or Cheney's wrinkled, liver-spotted old asses would traumatize me for life!

[annabanana]

4. East shit & die, you twisted old ogre

"Oh Dick-crow, I think I hate you most of all"

[yellowcanine]

5. Your 15 min. are over Dickhead. Go away.

[xxqqqzme]

6. dick and his newest, bestest

friend, limpballs??? Maybe dick will shoot him in the face?

[EFerrari]

7. Lying sack. Those bakers and grandpas and kids and tourists

don't belong in any military force, you felon. Poor Wyoming.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. Can never find a good throwing shoe when you need one. nt

[Wizard777]

9. So Cheney's banking on Obama being unable to resist the temptation of power.

Now I understand why the Republicans are calling Barack The Obamessiah. What good is it to gain the whole world if you lose your soul? They think Barack would gladly trade his soul for power. Just like Bush & Cheney did. I sure HOPE not.

[depakid]

29. Given the sorry set of leaders in Congress

perhaps holding onto some authority wouldn't be such a bad thing....

[Vattel]

10. I am worried

that Obama will do exactly what Cheney says he will do. It is hard to resist power when you think you can weild it effectively to accomplish good things.

[madamesilverspurs]

13. Hmmm, don't think so.

Nothing in Obama's behavior suggests any of the sociopathology of Cheney's "thinking." That said, there will be those who will read into your comment the number count of your posts...

[Acadia Blue]

20. Obama respects the Constitution. I don't think you need to worry.

[balantz]

11. Looks like Dick-Head is counting on remaining in power (behind the scenes as usual)

Unless Obama radically changes how things operate.

[sabra]

12. for all you Office Space fans: "um, Dick, we are going to ask you to move again"

[balantz]

14. Unfortunately he is a very powerful person.

Not even Nancy and friends would impeach him.

[Wizard777]

32. Yeah but he'll have to deal with Obama. If Cheney had any dirt on him. Hillary would be President.

[LynnTheDem]

15. Innocent, but in limbo at Guantánamo

Five Chinese Muslims, captured in Pakistan by mistake, try to get the US Supreme Court to take their case.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0213/p03s03-usju.html

US judge orders five Guantánamo detainees freed
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1121/p99s08-duts.html

17 Innocent Guantanamo Detainees Remain Imprisoned
http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/17-innoce...

10-year-old boy prisoner of Guantanamo Bay -- found innocent after two years
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-comments-wca...

The innocent man at Guantánamo
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/27/opinion/edwillet...

Cleared but still held in Guantánamo
http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2008/04/02/cleared-but... /

Judge Orders 17 Detainees at Guantánamo Freed
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/washington/08detain.h...

[sakabatou]

16. Fuck you, Dick

Just fuck you.

[Acadia Blue]

21. Dick is a monster.

[sakabatou]

23. He's like Godzilla

the one with the completely white eyes.

[bdamomma]

40. I second that.

Cheney is being very vocal these last few days, watch out Dick, you will get your just dues.

[Solly Mack]

18. War criminal

Not that America minds having war criminals in office...

[PfcHammer]

22. Yeah, and dude "appreciated" your shooting him in the face. Sure.

Adios, mofo.

[scytherius]

24. Cheney better hope not. If he is, you better run little Republicans. n/t

nt

[Journeyman]

25. I've said since early 2004, I'll be surprised if Bush's successor relinquishes *any* power. . .

It's my fervent hope and prayer that Obama will want to dismantle the new powers BushCo has accrued. However, power is more easily grabbed than relinquished, and Obama will have to prove an an exceptional man for him turn it aside.

As the recipient of a political reality altered beyond anything the wildest thinkers could have imagined just a few short years ago, it will take a remarkable will for anyone to revoke these powers, let alone strive to revert it to what it was before. Certainly, there will be a quick return to some aspects of "normality," but the allure of unbridled power will remain and, despite readily accomplished cosmetic improvements, power's seduction will be a Siren song of indeterminate appeal. I hope Obama proves a greater man than even I hope he will prove to be.

[KakistocracyHater]

26. they couldn't resist when Julius seized Rome

& overrode the Senate, it looks very similar to America now; I doubt that he would restore the proper, legal, balance of powers-because it is not legal, else they wouldn't continue "chanting" their propaganda phrases, trying to encourage people to just passively accept it.

[karynnj]

28. I think he will - he is a constitional law scholar

Since you felt that in early 2004, I will add that I am certain Kerry would have.

[Thor_MN]

27. Dick, STFU. When we want to hear something from you we will waterboard it out of you.

[Randomthought]

30. how the h*ll

would Cheney know/ He is just farting in the wind as usual

[Dover]

34. And arrest Cheney/Bush et al without need for evidence or legal representation.

Throw them in Gitmo
and then thow away the key. I think these guys should experience the full effects of
executive power gone wrong.

[silverojo]

35. Go fuck yourself, Cheney

How many more times will I need to post this phrase on DU, before that evil son of Satan stands up on his cloven hooves and clop-clops out of D.C. forever?

[timtom]

37. WHAT f***ing "expansion of powers"?

They only exist in the minds of Cheney and Monkeyboy. They are unconstitutional and, hence, illusory.

We MUST NOT allow anyone to act as if those powers exist!

[Algorem]

39. Cheney looks sick.I hope he is.I hope he feels sick too.

I hope he dies a horrible,painful,slow death.

[bdamomma]

41. these criminals will get theirs.

I hope they choke on their arrogance and ignorance.