Obama's recess picks

[protege]

Obama defies Congress with 'recess' picks. Basically, Obama went over Congress' heads and nominated some people while they were on recess. Some see it as a violation of the Constitution...specifically the "checks and balances" of the various branches. Thoughts?

[Rapscallion]

Considering he'd get nowhere with the current shower in congress, I think he did the right thing. He's not exactly dealing with a group known to work with him on anything. The budget debacle was proof of that.

Rapscallion

[mikoyan29]

All Presidents do it to some extent. And given that the Republicans have taken the whole "advise and consent" thing to the next level, I can't say that I blame him.

[HYHYBT]

If Congress doesn't want recess appointments, they can approve regular appointments when there isn't a special reason not to do so, rather than routinely denying them all.

And yes, before someone makes an accusation otherwise, I say the same when the parties involved are reversed.

[Greenday]

All Presidents do it to some extent.

Pretty much this. Everyone's done it that I know of. It's really not a big a deal.

[mikoyan29]

If Congress doesn't want recess appointments, they can approve regular appointments when there isn't a special reason not to do so, rather than routinely denying them all.

And yes, before someone makes an accusation otherwise, I say the same when the parties involved are reversed.

I think it sucked that the Democrats pissed around with Bush's nominees and I say the same thing about the Republicans with Obama's nominees. Although it seems like the Republicans are pissing around more, which means that when the Republicans have a President and the Democrats have Congress there will be more pissing around.

[protege]

It's really not a big a deal.

Yeah, but Obama seems to get a free pass lately. He has done some of the things that Bush did...but doesn't generate the same level of ire.

[mikoyan29]

Yeah, but Obama seems to get a free pass lately. He has done some of the things that Bush did...but doesn't generate the same level of ire.

And Bush got pretty much a free pass for his recess appointment. And quite honestly, I don't blame either president for doing it because those departments got work to do. This particular appointment was to a department the GOP doesn't want, so rather than overturning the law, they want to kill it this way.

[Rapscallion]

Yeah, but Obama seems to get a free pass lately.

Such as getting a budget passed?

Rapscallion

[bara]

At least Obama hasnt started any wars.

[HYHYBT]

Positions need to be filled. If Congress chooses to arrange things so that the only way to fill them is by recess appointments, then it's foolish to blame the president for making recess appointments.

[Greenday]

At least Obama hasnt started any wars.

Besides Libya.

[AdminAssistant]

Libya was a joint venture with a lot of NATO allies, and my understanding is that the majority of them where British and French.

[BlaqueKatt]

Some see it as a violation of the Constitution...specifically the "checks and balances" of the various branches. Thoughts?

If by "checks and balances" they mean the automatic opposition to anything any member of the opposing party says or does for no rational or legitimate reason other than it was the opposing parties statement or action, then yes.

The government of our founding fathers worked together despite any differences of opinion to accomplish many things for the overall good of the nation, not for the enrichment of themselves, and their associates at the cost of the people.

Our current government has the same ability to work together as a room full of toddlers attempting to assemble a house of cards.....and is just as stable and successful.....our founding fathers would likely consider most of them treasonous as much as they've sold out the people they are supposed to represent.

[Sleepwalker]