Bush's signing statments: Can a DU'er give me some meat???

[U4ikLefty]

Not THAT kind of meat you cheeky monkey...lol!!!

I am looking for a link that will give me a comparison between Bush's & Clinton's signing statements. It seem a neocon is pulling the old "Clinton did it too" card & I want to have some evidence ready to reute his BS.

Can a fellow progressive help me out...I've got 56K & Google is painful after 3 pages of links. Thank you in advance!!!

Peace
U4ikLefty

[yewberry]

1. I think

Miss Waverly and w8liftinglady have been talking about this lately:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1713875

Some good links there--hope it helps!

[serryjw]

2. That's easy

* did MORE signing statements than all 42 previous presidents COMBINED!
quote.......
President Bush has used presidential signing statements more than any previous president. From President Monroe's administration (1817-25) to the Carter administration (1977-81), the executive branch issued a total of 75 signing statements to protect presidential prerogatives. From Reagan's administration through Clinton's, the total number of signing statements ever issued, by all presidents, rose to a total 322.

end quote.......
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20060109_bergen.html
quote......
Bush has used signing statements to clarify his interpretation of laws and in some instances reserve the right to bypass laws more than 800 times, compared to just 600 signing statements for all other presidents combined
end quote.......
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/07/bush-signing-statements-undermine-rule.php

[TahitiNut]

3. Junior's over-800 signing statements is more than ALL prior

... presidents combined. In addition, he's given instructions within the Executive Branch that the signing statements control the "unitary executive" ... and thus the Executive Branch is acting contrary to the Constitution. The Constitution requires the President to either sign and comply/execute the laws as written or veto those with which (s)he disagrees. There is no other alternative. The reason Junior has only a single veot is his use of signing statements, contrary to what the Constitution prescribes. It's just another of MANY impeachable offenses - violation of his oath to protect and defend the Constituion.

[serryjw]

5. What I don't understand is ...he had

total control over both chanbers, why was there a need for over 800 ss?

[TahitiNut]

7. No publicity. They flew under the radar.

He could sign a law (like the one again prohibiting torture) with camreas on and flashes popping, and then go off in private and write a signing statement that, in effect, said he could use torture if he wanted to.

That's what he did. :shrug: Over 800 times.

[serryjw]

9. Yes, I totally agree and understand but

WHY?? He could have gotten the legislation the way he wanted...except for torture because McCain objected.

[yewberry]

8. I didn't think it was that many--he's challenged about 800 laws

but hasn't signed that many signing statements, has he?

I mean, given the amount of time he vacations, that'd be like one a day, right?

(Okay, that last bit was an exaggeration, sure. But I really do think that the number of laws challenged isn't the same as the numbers of signing statements. Then again, I'm relying on half-remembered research.)

[napi21]

4. Here's the link to the actual ABA report. It does a comparison of

signing statements by former Presidents which were different than what Shrub is doing!

http://www.abanet.org/op/signingstatements/aba_final_signing_statements_recommendation-report_7-24-06.pdf

Mostly, the signing statements done by the former Presidents emphasized certain parts of a new law, or explained their interpretation of the law. Shrub does his stating he is going to ignore the law, which is unconstitutional. He is violating his oath of office by doing so!

[U4ikLefty]

6. WOW, thank you all !!! It is sooo good to have DU here to help.

Thanks for all the links. Ya know, I have about 1000 posts...I guess I'd better get my wallet out & donate some $$$ REAL SOON!!!

This is a good a start...thx DUers, you rule!!!

[Sydnie]

10. Go to this site

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/search.html

put signing statements in the box, select a date and hit submit. You can pick a date for Clinton and read that, then pick a date for blivet** and read that.

They are vastly different.