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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Obama’s Defying The GOP And Appointing Top Consumer Watchdog
Why Obamas Defying The GOP And Appointing Top Consumer Watchdog
The White House confirmed Wednesday morning that President Obama will announce a recess appointment for Richard Cordray to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at a speech in Ohio later today. Cordray was a well-liked Ohio Attorney General until last year, after he was toppled by the GOP midterm wave in 2010.
Cordrays an accidental victim of a brazen act of GOP obstruction. Theyre refusing to allow an up-or-down vote on any CFPB nominee until the agency itself is fundamentally weakened an extra-legal attempt to nullify a key portion of an act of law.
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On Tuesday, they believed Obama could take advantage of a precedent set by Teddy Roosevelt, and filled those vacancies with the stroke of a pen and the blast of an email in the seconds-long window between sessions of the 112th Congress.
He didnt do it. That meant the Senate went back in pro forma session, lackadaisically gaveling in and out every three days to avoid a technical recess, and thus prevent a recess appointment.
Its customary for Presidents to heed this defensive tactic. But theres nothing that says they have to. And Obama concluded he could move ahead. According to the Wall Street Journal the administrations own attorneys dont think they do the Senates pro forma sessions are meaningless and Obama retains the Constitutional right to recess appoint whomever he wants until session begins in earnest.
This creates a significant new precedent a bold power play in the face of an unprecedented act of GOP obstruction, but also something to which Obama (and Democrats more generally) have been pretty averse. Given that aversion, its hard to figure why Obama would choose to create a new precedent rather than avail himself of an existing one unless you imagine hes daring the GOP to make a big stink about it, and thus loudly side with Wall Street against him and middle-class consumers. Its a safe bet thats part of his thinking.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/why-obama-could-recess-appoint-top-consumer-watchdog-anyhow.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
Richardo
(38,391 posts)I hope it's also a strategic move to bait the GOP, they're dumb enough to bite.
jefferson_dem
(32,683 posts)this recess appointment runs into 2014.
Lisa D
(1,532 posts)Let the Republican whining begin
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Elected to defy the GOP, after all. This is what he should do.
Greybnk48
(10,168 posts)I'm glad he's showing some grit. Perfect timing.