Obama says he'll order review of executive orders

[intheflow]

Source: AP

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
11 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - 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.

...

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_el_pr/obama

---

My hero! :loveya:

[Bonobo]

1. REC!!!!!!!

[DavidDvorkin]

2. This alone is reason to vote for him

[AwakeAtLast]

38. Absolutely!

:bounce:

[MorningGlow]

71. Yeppers

If he didn't have my vote already, this promise would have won me over completely!

[Maineman]

72. Yes

[grantcart]

86. IMHO I would trade this for getting everything on FISA

but I know some disagree

I think this will have more impact

[pinto]

3. Excellent move. Bush has abused the privilege, a review and rescind of abuses is in order.

[bjobotts]

24. It's wasted on democrats. Reserved for republican crooks

[proud patriot]

4. good call

[defendandprotect]

5. Now . . .THIS . . . I love --- !!! go Obama !!!

[Frisbee]

6. Whoo-Hoo!!!!

K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R - K&R - REC - REC - K&R!!!!!

:party: :toast: :bounce: :kick:

[Duval]

63. You have expressed my feelings perfectly!n/t

[Frisbee]

91. I do have a way with words!

:rofl:

[Posteritatis]

7. Woo! It's the Bureaucalypse!

How many thousands of the things are in force right now, anyway? They're up to five digits last I heard, but I don't know how many of those have been repealed/replaced/etc. This'll be the administrative/etc nightmare to top all administrative/etc nightmares and God do I ever want to see it happen. Nice. %)

This is exactly the kind of "change" I want to see happening, and I get the impression that it's the type of thing he's been referring to all along.

(I'm also trying to figure out what to make of the fact that I never even considered that level of review of EOs. Nuking Bush's more vile ones, yes, but sending someone to go at the whole list with a hedge trimmer? Why the hell did that not cross my mind?)

[Buns_of_Fire]

33. A while back, there was a thread on "What would your first act as President be?"

I believe my answer (one of my few lucid ones), was to just rescind all Executive Orders made since January, 2001. All of 'em. No need for review, just nuke 'em all.

There MAY be a good one or two (personally, I doubt it), but I think the republic will survive without every Juneteenth being celebrated as "National Poultry-Porking Day."

[CoffeeCat]

8. I spoke with Barack Obama about this...

During the heated primary season, when the candidates were campaigning hard in Iowa--I
received a call from Barack Obama.

To make a long story short--he asked me what my issues were and
I mentioned my concern about Bush's signing statements and his abuse
of power. I asked Obama if he would govern that way if he was President.

He said "absolutely not" and "I do not agree with a 'Unitary Executive'
mindset."

Then we discussed his knowledge of the Constitution. I told Senator Obama
that I was impressed that he was a "Constitutional scholar" and that he had
taught Constitutional Law for nearly a decade.

I expressed shock that our Constitution was being ignored, and that a sitting
President would abuse his power.

Senator Obama discussed his commitment to the law and his respect and knowledge
of the Constitution.

I felt very good after that conversation. Not only does this man respect and plan
to follow the Constitution, he knows every word inside and out. He taught thousands
of bright law students about the Constitution.

Obama didn't bash Bush during our conversation. He didn't have to. He just made
it very clear that he understands the importance of the Constitution, that it was
important to him and that he would follow it.

Just thought I'd share that.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

13. Now if only we could get the Congress to follow that lead.

So far I don't have a hell of a lot of hope that it will come about, no matter how great a majority the Dems get.

Yep, I'm a born again cynic these days. :shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

62. Maybe if Obama issued an executive order requiring Congress to obey the Constitution.

The EO would be worthless but if done in public it might put Congress where it belongs and do their efing job.

[alllyingwhores]

98. yeah...if only we could get Congress...wait a second...isn't Obama in Congress?...NOW?

Oh yeah, he's going to do somthin' bout it when he's prez...that's right!

The same way he's going to do something about FISA when he's president. Don't do anything about the telecoms and the chimp emperor trampling the Constitution now! Whatever you do--don't do anything about it now!

Don't do anything about the Enron-style loophole that's doubling the cost of gas at the pump now...and crippling the economy. It's not like he could do anything like introduce a bill or persuade anyone in the Democratic party to do anything about it now!

I'm just gonna hope that he does something about something when he's President. He's much too busy enabling the criminal administration now--we'll just have to wait...and hope!

[Stardust]

16. Well that's REALLY impressive, TwoSparkles! I wouldn't know where to

begin to express my concerns if I had the chance, but you hit it out of the park!

Good on you. Great job!

[intheflow]

17. What a great anecdote!

Thanks for sharing. It's good to know he's talking openly about this kind of executive abuse of power, first with constituents and now with the press. :)

[bjobotts]

22. Yeah, go take away all the abusive executive power,repubs are done with 'em for now

[Piewhacket]

26. Obama talks the talk, but how does he vote?

That's all very nice until he recently voted FOR the FISA bill WITH telecom immunity.
His vote proves that he talks civil liberties well enough, but he don't walk his talk.
Too many democrats voted for it. Too many. Some will need to retire because of it.

Up til then I had some respect for Obama, but now I know he's just a whore like the rest,
he just uses a better cologne than the other guy. But even with the better cologne
it looks like I'm going to have to hold my nose when I vote for him. Politics is a
dirty biz, huh.

Immunity, like a pardon, excuses illegal conduct, in this case by telecoms acting alone and
as agents of the government. Immunity is an extraordinary thing which undermines the rule
of law by which civil liberties are enforced. Yet I have not heard a single good reason
in favor of immunity, mostly we have heard political nonsense reasons which sound byte
out but don't stand up to analysis (ie telecoms will bankrupt boo hoo - garbage, they'll
just be owned by different people - perhaps ones who respect legality this time).

Anyway, there remains a fair argument that the immunity provision in FISA is unconstitutional,
since congress and the president even working together should not have the power to abrogate
the constitution. But even if FISA immunity is overturned it sure messes up the electronic frontier
foundations telecom lawsuits for a LONG TIME, at least five additional years. The telecoms
knew their actions were illegal, they just thought they would not get caught, and if caught
they could count on political cover. They got their political cover.

[sellitman]

46. Thank you for that.

I hope he can find a way to block bushes kind of Presidency in the future. Never again should a sitting President be above the law or the Constitution.

[bertman]

66. We already have one sellitman. It's called CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. But it was ignored by

our Democratic leaders.

Can you say IMPEACHMENT??

[JerseygirlCT]

84. Very good to know.

This seems like a complete no-brainer to me. More important than cleaning off the desks or repainting offices, you know?

THIS is the clean-up that's got to happen right away in the new administration. Pronto.

[givemebackmycountry]

9. And in other news... John McCain will order a review...

Of any pizza orders, to combat wasteful spending and expunge any delivery people that "trample on his lawn".

GET OFF MY LAWN!

[gratuitous]

10. Boy, Obama will say anything, won't he?

I'll bet Straight-Talkin' Johnny Maverick won't betray his President and Commnder in Chief like that!

[iconicgnom]

11. Good. A true and winning "apple pie" position that his campaign should emphasize.

[uppityperson]

12. k&r with many thanks. Good.

[EndElectoral]

14. Obama needs to push repeal of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

http://losangeles.injuryboard.com/miscellaneous/the-subprime-mess-and-phil-gramm-an-experiment-in-deregulation.aspx?googleid=242468

"The Subprime Mess and Phil Gramm: An Experiment in Deregulation"

This is a great article that shows the gutting of the Glass-Steagall Act by the GOP with Gramm's Act that sowed the seeds for the subprime mess.

Obama needs to hit this hard becasue Gramm was McCain's economic advisor for Christ's sake. It delineates the major differences betwen the parties and squarely puts the recent results of the subprime mess on the GOP, and close to McCain.

[Muttocracy]

15. Wasn't there a question in one of the debates last fall on this?

Anybody remember that? I can't remember if they asked all the candidates or just some of them.

[Hekate]

18. That would be the answer to my prayers -- literally. My hero, from the bottom of my heart...

For President Obama!

:loveya: :loveya: :yourock: :loveya: :yourock: :loveya: :yourock: :loveya: :yourock:

Hekate

[JDPriestly]

19. Obama should worry more about the U.S. as well as about Pakistan.

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://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_el_pr/obama

I hope Obama remembers that principle is also true here, and Americans cannot take it for granted that they have a chance for a better life. In fact, it is unlikely that young people today will see a better life. Our economy is in too much of a mess. It will take a long time to pull ourselves up again. Frankly, I think that things will continue to get worse during the rest of my lifetime.

We are in much worse economic shape in this country than Americans are willing to believe. Americans also need help and hope. I hope Obama puts Americans first. You cannot help others unless you are in a strong position yourself.

[Alexander]

20. K&R for a president who will follow the laws and not break them!

[Eurobabe]

21. Just read the story

Excellent. :thumbsup:

[cliffordu]

23. Kand R

[Skittles]

25. NICE

:thumbsup:

[samsingh]

27. they should also investigate and level criminal charges against the repugs

[orleans]

28. great. but what about the next president? if these crimes are not

prosecuted they will happen again and another president will see to it. obama might be an upstanding guy--but maybe not so much the next person after him.

[comtec]

29. That is not good enough

I'm sorry (and I WILL vote of course for him) but I want EVERY SCRAP of paper that * touched BURNED!
I want EVERY executive order, even if it was for a cheeseburger n frys, OVERTURNED AND BURNED, Shredded, stomped on, and burned again, then I want THOSE ashes pulverized, mixed in with concrete, blown up, then shot to mercury where it'll bun for all eternity!

I want absolutely NO TRACE of bush to be left in the white house!
I want 10 different priests to come in and purify it for every kind of evil, stench, and bad vibe! (so you know, voo doo, wiccan, druids, and I guess a Jew and someone from the inquisitorial squad at the vatic... nvm they were in on it)

but in all seriousness, what he's promising, while good, is not even close to good enough for what the country desperately needs!

ALL Obama has to do it STAY liberal, on the LEFT of REAL center, and he'll win in a landslide, people are so DESPERATE for change, WHY is he moving to the center!?

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

50. His Game Plan?

I am sure President Obama has a bigger plan in dealing with the losses in this nation.

I am also sure he isn't going to lay it on the table before he's elected.
This, for me and you is a very good beginning.

[comtec]

53. I agree it's better than nothing

and light years better than mcsame would ever get us, which I did post originally as well.
I'm just venting. But yes im sure most if not all of the exec orders will find their way into the recycle bin.

[shagsak]

51. Good enough for me

and better than the alternative by leaps and bounds. McStain would probably grant a full pardon and give a "heckuva job" speech. Put down the magnifying glass and take a look at the big picture.

[Indenturedebtor]

30. Woohoo Barack! And ain't it sad how far we've fallen

A Presidential candidate says that he'll respect the constitution and THAT'S NEWS?!?!?!?!?!?!

Seriously though I'm glad to hear it. For shame how sad that is.

[Loudmxr]

31. Yeah it sounds nice but still DON'T trust him.

I've often said about the candidates and artists(back in show biz) that I have worked with," believe in them, let their vision inspire you, but never ever TRUST them."

It is our power that we loan them. We should always watch and question what they do with it.:patriot:

Obama is being handed a little less power than the enabling Act of 1930's Germany. Really, Bush has been that bad. I fear BO looking through the powers and saying, "bad, bad, bad, ohh I like this one." Power, its very intoxicating. B-)

[rndmprsn]

32. K&R PRESIDENT OBAMA!

[SeattleGirl]

34. That would be a great start!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Doug.Goodall]

35. Good for Obama, undo Bush's orders, then fix the Supreme Court

and with a a majority in both the House and the Senate we can fix the laws the Republican dictatorship forced upon us.

[The Backlash Cometh]

36. If this holds true, I'm in love with this man.

Now, how do we keep him safe, since you all know this is going to make a lot of people nervous.

[Scout]

37. good for him. i hope something comes of the review besides the review n/t

[dccrossman]

39. Thank goodness.

To do otherwise, would implicitly accept those orders as legal and valid.

K & R

[lame54]

40. Been waiting a long time to hear this...

let's hear a lot more of it

[mod mom]

41. Great news, but what if the unthinkable happens and we have another "surprise ending"?

this has been my issue with the capitulation by the Dems (think FISA). Yes much of this mess can certainly be changed by a President Obama and a Democratic congress, but I find it hard to believe that these war monger/profiteers are willing to relinquish the power they have grabbed over the last 8 years. We need a "what if" plan-imho.

[hootinholler]

42. The first one to jettison is the one closing Presidential Records!

We need to see what Poppy was up to!

-Hoot

[stubtoe]

69. Yes we do! n/t

[oviedodem]

43. He has said this before and this is the reason I feel the fear in the GOP

and the media is so high.

[nuxvomica]

44. A while back it was reported that Obama had set up a task force

to review how much of what the Republicans had done that could be rolled back by executive order. So this reiteration of that agenda is a very hopeful sign. I expect his first 100 days will be amazing.

[RobertDevereaux]

45. That's my man!!! n/t

[Dinger]

47. Wish Something Could Be Done About Pardons (nt)

[DemoTex]

48. Are "Signing Statements" considered Executive Orders? If not ..

Bu$h's "Signing Statements" need to be rendered null & void and the original laws, as passed by Congress, allowed to stand on their own.

[wordpix]

57. my question, too---what a travesty

[NewJeffCT]

49. Is this standard procedure for an incoming president?

Review executive orders of the prior president, and either reverse ones they don't like, or sign new ones declaring the old ones to be null & void?

[Bacchus39]

52. typically not, they are let stand usually however, nothing would prevent him from nullifying

previous executive orders.

[Hekate]

102. No. But then we have never had such a CORRUPT presidential administration to clean up after...

Just consider what it is the new president will be dealing with.

Bush/Cheney came into office with a juggernaut at their disposal--an entire team dedicated from Day One to undoing everything they considered "liberal". As far back as Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" the promise was to undo and get rid of every program that came from FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society.

From their very first day in the Oval Office they were busy all the time, and it really was a team effort.

Then came 9-11 and the opportunity to put the USA PATRIOT ACT (it's really an acronym, which is why it's in all-caps) into place, and they really kicked into high gear with destruction of the Bill of Rights and Constitution.

Signing statements and Executive Orders were just one important piece of the whole. I am so grateful Obama is promising to attend to them immediately. I hope his team is as comprehensive and as ready to roll as Bush/Cheney's was, because it will take a long time to rid our government of this stench.

Hekate

[nytemare]

54. Were I able to ask him questions, that would have been one.

Would you restore Checks and Balances so that we have three co-equal branches, or would you allow these executive orders and signing statements to stand.

Glad he came out on this. Good for him.

[mopinko]

55. he is bringing a big mop and bucket with him to the white house.

keep this quote in mind, people, when you see him take the "wrong" side between now and the election. i think that he is very smart not to take a stand on stuff that he intends to undo when he gets there. he has said this before, and that is why i was not all upset about the whole fisa thing.
he knows how much damage has been done, and will work hard to clean it up.

[JBoy]

58. Some bad shit needs to be taken to the curb.

[wordpix]

59. and I have confidence his judicial appointees will bring handcuffs for those who

flagrantly break the law, are in contempt of Congress, and brought us torture, treason and the Iraq War based on lies.

[mopinko]

89. can he rescind a pardon?

wouldn't that be a hoot. cuz you know pardons gonna flow like niagara.

[AllyCat]

56. Tell me again why people plan to vote for McCain? n/t

[Kokonoe]

60. He said it a month ago

I guess its nice it was reported.

[dflprincess]

75. He also said he'd fillibuster FISA (eom)

[Kokonoe]

79. Yes he would, but one person cannot make a filibuster.

don't forget, more than a few democrats are against Obama's presidential run.

[bonito]

61. K&R n/t

[RavensChick]

64. K & R!!!!!

It's about time! I'm only sorry it's not January 21st, tho'.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[LSK]

65. he has said this before also

[Larkspur]

67. It's a start but Obama needs to commit to investigating and prosecuting Bush

and his cronies for crimes. If Bush and his cronies are left free and free to profit off of their crimes, than Obama is an accomplice to Bush's crimes.

[Kokonoe]

68. they already got away with their crimes.

Obama can only do it with your help.

[bagrman]

70. Oops he's crossed the line, Can't let all your cats out of the bag before

you get in a position to put them to use. The executive orders have been carfully put into plase to allow for martial law to be easily implemented and Americans constitution to be destroyed. No way they'll let him be prez now or there to be an elections.

[pleah]

73. K&R Good!

[MadrasT]

74. Yes!

Great article, and it's exactly what I was hoping for... I :loveya: Obama for this.

:kick:

[Catchawave]

76. Link doesn't match your story....

:shrug:

Hope they pulled it then, because making such promises can be detrimental to his campaign. Nor do you want to threaten the current administration. Right?

[intheflow]

80. Yahoo put a new story up at the link url.

Kinda wierd after less than 24 hours, especially since it was one of the most read stories when I checked a couple hours ago.

Here's the archived version at the AP web site: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD927U4080

[Catchawave]

83. Thanks for checking.....

Have to be careful to link to the actual report, not a news list :hi:

Surprised I was the only one who clicked your link :D Can you fix the OP too, or a mod might have to help you?

[intheflow]

85. It's far too late for me to edit the OP.

And having been a mod, I know that's not something they do. The best that can be done is for me (and others, below) to post the updated link here in the thread.

I still think it's weird they changed the story so soon. I've posted a lot of news items over the years I've been on DU, never had this happen before. :shrug:

[kestrel91316]

77. Yee haw!!!! Sic 'em!

[Maeve]

78. New link--see here:

The Yahoo link has updated to today's AP story. Here's another link to the story:
http://www.dailyjournalonline.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc48907d4a0fd74952868044.txt

[intheflow]

81. Thanks, Maeve!

:hi:

I also linked to the AP version at Google news, above, in post #80.

[KansDem]

82. F*ck you, AP!!! "...harsh questioning of suspects" = "TORTURE!!!" Just SAY it!!!

SAY IT!!! SAY IT!!!

[readmoreoften]

87. Great. Hope he doesn't reverse his position once he gets in office. Or before.

I'll vote for him and then hold his feet to the fire.

[Bragi]

88. Yesssss! /nt

[Phred42]

90. Obama has made the same promises on other important issues

I'm still voting for him - WHAT FUCKING CHOICE DO I HAVE?
Just saying - don't' get your hope too high - the landing is easier.

[superconnected]

92. He's saying the right things now, wasn't before.

At least there's some hope.

[happygoluckytoyou]

93. bush #555 executive order.... dont let obama near the executive orders!!!!!

[ThatsMyBarack]

94. Kick Ass!

:kick: :yourock:

[disndat]

95. It's looking better

and better everyday with Obama!

[disndat]

96. Wind at his back

from his trip to the MidEast and Berlin.

[AgentCarrie]

97. GO BAMA! YAY

[quizzicaldestiny]

99. Bush abused executive orders

If it was up to me, I'd do away with them altogether.

Good move by Obama.

[HEyHEY]

100. He'll do this, but he won't prosecute people who pull illegal wiretaps?

[RNdaSilva]

101. "Expunge"

A good start. Next?

Be sure to document before expunging.