Should President Obama not get involved with what is happening in Wisconsin?

[kentuck]

Is this a states-rights matter?

Is this something the President has no business commenting on, as Senator Lindsey Graham said?

This is a serious breach in state government in the state of Wisconsin. They are still part of our Union, are they not?

I'm certain the President is fully informed on what is happening in Madison.

Can the President use the National Guard if the Governor says no??

Maybe the President should have a talk with the Governor? We cannot permit this type of unrest to continue. Then the President should take charge of the National Guard and put them on stand-by in case they need to be called out.

[leftstreet]

1. How involved did he get in campaigning in Wisconsin? n/t

[undeterred]

23. Well, he didn't campaign enough to help the Democratic candidates win.

Michelle came to campaign for Feingold and President Obama came to campaign for Mayor Barrett who was running for Governor and look how much that helped.

[yurbud]

2. good question on that national guard stuff.

[yurbud]

4. I have a better idea for how to ''activate'' the Wisconsin National Guard LINK:

Ask the Guard if they will beat you or join you:

http://professorsmartass.blogspot.com/2011/02/wisconsin-protesters-call-out-national.html

[socialist_n_TN]

14. Interesting. I posted something very similiar in ...........

the early days of this uprising when the NG was first being mentioned.

It's a good idea. Members of the NG are just citizens and THESE are the types of questions that their friends and families NEED to be asking them. As the Prof said, even if they say they will follow orders, it will give them something to think about. I would even go a step farther and remind them that they have a DUTY to DISOBEY illegal orders.

That would force Mubar...er Walker to bring in the Koch's private "Pinkertons". THEN Obama federalizes the Guard to protect Wisconsinites against THEM.

And yes, I KNOW it's a dangerous scenario, but these are dangerous times. Our freedoms are at stake.

[yurbud]

16. maybe this will finally force Obama to choose sides--hopefully ours

[Abq_Sarah]

3. Use the national guard for what?

[Cleita]

7. If the President orders the National Guard that would

be a good thing because under the Posse Comitatus Act, they wouldn't be able to fire on the citizens. I believe if the Governor orders them, then they can, as Posse Comitatus doesn't cover that.

[Drunken Irishman]

8. It's not going to come to that...

[socialist_n_TN]

13. I would rather Obama federalize the NG than...........

Walker try to activate them AGAINST the protestors. OTOH, IF Walker activated them and they said "HELL NO!" that would send a strong message to the Republican Party about using force against peaceful protestors. I guess the ideal situation would be if Walker tried to use the Guard, they tell him no and THEN Obama federalizes them, to shield them from any sort of mutiny charges.

This is a REALLY delicate situation for the PTB on all sides. I kind of like that. :)

[rhett o rick]

19. I disagree. Bush the boy king neutered Posse Comitatus.

I dont have a link, but from my notes:

In early 2006, the 109th Congress passed a controversial bill that grants the President the right to commandeer federal or state National Guard Troops and use them inside the United States. This bill, entitled the John Warner Defense Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (H.R. 5122.ENR), contains a provision (Section 1076) that allows the President to
“...employ the armed forces, including the National Guard in Federal service, to... restore public order and enforce the laws of the United States when, as a result of a natural disaster, epidemic, or other serious public health emergency, terrorist attack or incident, or other condition in any State or possession of the United States..., where the President determines that,...domestic violence has occurred to such an extent that the constituted authorities of the State or possession are incapable of maintaining public order; suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy...”
Senator Patrick Leahy and others have condemned Section 1076 because it effectively nullifies the Posse Comitatus Act and the Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. 331-335) and gives the President the legal ability to define under what conditions martial law may be declared.

[demtenjeep]

5. you can be sure he is watching

.

[lpbk2713]

6. Hell no.

Let Walker stew in his own juices for as long as possible.

[NashVegas]

9. IIRC, Whenever Presidents Get Involved In Labor Disputes

The workers tend to be the losing side.

[Viking12]

10. I wouldn't mind the Justice Department investigating Walker's shady connections..

Lots of apparent corruption. i.e. State Senator obstructs vote on union contracts (which would have made much of this moot) gets $90K cabinet position; father of 2 key Legislative allies gets appointed as Head of State Troopers w/o no prior experience with the Highway Patrol, plus so many more...

[socialist_n_TN]

11. I'm of mixed feelings here........

I'd like to see him come out strongly AGAINST union busting.

OTOH, I like the idea that this is a "bottom up" type of situation. If he comes in it's becomes a Rep/Dem thing instead of a rich against the working class/poor thing. We get more traction with the workers if it STAYS a have/have not dynamic.

[RandySF]

12. I'm not sure how so

In past labor-related incidents, presidents have ordered workers to go back to work, or broke their union altogether. If labor has the upper hand (as appears to be the case right now) a Democratic president should let it ride, unless Walker is violating Federal law somehow.

[damntexdem]

15. He is the President of all Americans and should defend their rights.

Including their union rights.

[cali]

17. huh? where have you been? He is involved. He has commented

OFA has been very active.

But the National Guard suggestion is absurd.

[kentuck]

18. I asked, should he NOT get involved?

Is it a mistake for him to get involved? What do you think?

[rhett o rick]

20. It may be risky for his political ambitions but as far as the United Citizens movement

against corruption in government, it is essential that he get involved. He wont, he will chose his career over the people.

[undeterred]

21. The president should stay the hell out.

My fear is he will come in on the wrong side.

Edit: He could send some pizzas if he wants.

[oldlib]

22. On the Cenk Show

tonight, he made the point that Obama was more concerned with not appearing to show support for the Wisconsin workers, and less concern for the unions. Obama has to show an active support for the workers in Wisconsin and to stopping the GOP effort to bust unions.

[Citizen Worker]

24. Obama doesn't matter that much. The person who should be involved in a very public way is Richard`

Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, and other prominent Labor leaders.