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babylonsister

(170,955 posts)
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:24 PM Jun 2014

Mad at Obama? Blame Republicans

http://www.nationaljournal.com/white-house/mad-at-obama-blame-republicans-20140603

Mad at Obama? Blame Republicans
It's hard to see what the GOP has gained from obstructionism other than a president willing to stretch the limits of executive power beyond recognition.
By James Oliphant

June 3, 2014


The carping is familiar. President Obama has "overreached" and abused his authority by releasing terrorist prisoners without notifying Congress and in promulgating new environmental rules. But, as usual, Republicans have few remedies beyond press releases and the promises of hearings.

That's the state of play in Washington: trench warfare that has lasted more than three years.


Obama began 2014 vowing that he would no longer be sidelined by Republican obstructionists—and he appears to be making good on his threat. More executive actions are likely on the way, as the president may well impose deportation curbs if the GOP won't constructively work toward immigration-reform legislation.

House Republicans should stop and consider it—not because of the political benefit the party might, maybe, enjoy by helping to broker an immigration solution. No, the better reason is this: If they truly fear the unchecked growth of presidential power, then their best option is to come to the table and force compromise. It's the one sure way to keep Obama from going cowboy (or, in their minds, tyrant).

As it is, the toxic atmosphere in the capital and the nearly total lack of trust between the two sides has brought about a situation that should make few who care about functional government happy. As evidenced by the continuing battles over the Affordable Care Act, which was passed only with Democratic votes, actions that carry the patina of bipartisanship enjoy wider public support. But the current political stalemate has made such outcomes almost impossible.

That leaves Obama to act on his own. And not only does that engender further mistrust, but it risks fundamentally altering the dynamic of power between the executive and legislative branches.

snip//


The monster is loose. With each passing week, Obama shows that he is growing more comfortable with pushing the limits of office—and he could depart in two years having acted almost on his own on everything from healthcare to education, climate change and immigration.

If he does, he ends up with a legacy. The Republicans? Maybe a t-shirt.
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Mad at Obama? Blame Republicans (Original Post) babylonsister Jun 2014 OP
I Was A Republican In Congress During Barack Hussain Obama's Administration And All I Did..... global1 Jun 2014 #1
K & R Scurrilous Jun 2014 #2
True. Republicans in the Senate have filibustered and those in the House have Louisiana1976 Jun 2014 #3

global1

(25,166 posts)
1. I Was A Republican In Congress During Barack Hussain Obama's Administration And All I Did.....
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 05:46 PM
Jun 2014

was get this lousy t-shirt.

"The Republican Legacy 2008 - 2016"
"We Stonewalled Obama On Everything And Put Our Country In Jeopardy"

They'll have a lot to be proud of and a lot of stories to tell their embarrassed children and grandchildren.

Louisiana1976

(3,962 posts)
3. True. Republicans in the Senate have filibustered and those in the House have
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 06:27 PM
Jun 2014

blocked anything good Obama and the Democrats want to do.

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