In Bush We Trust
As I noted the other day, Sen. Specter was making plans to introduce legislation to sue President Bush over the use of signing statements to negate the laws he signs into being. I felt it would be difficult to predict whether partisanship or ego would win out in terms of support for such legislation.
Things are now looking to be more to the former than the latter.
From Congressional Quarterly:
Even Sen. John "I'm a maverick, really I am" McCain isn't worried about these statements. Anyone care to wager that Johnny Boy isn't pooh-poohing this is because he doesn't want screw himself out of the chance to wield the pen?
I'm really not surprised. It is an election year after all and no matter how hard Republicans try to distance themselves from Bush prior to the mid-terms, their futures are ultimately still tethered to him. The Republicans know only one strategy: perception management. No matter how much they try to appear independent from this administration, when faced with confrontation they will always side with Dear Leader.
And don't think this allegiance is due to mere party affiliation. No, these guys are true Bushists. Because apparently they would support this type of legislation as soon as Dubya's out of office.
Yes, and no doubt should the next occupant of the highest office in the land have a (D) following his name, the Repubs will fight tooth and nail to end this devious practice.
Things are now looking to be more to the former than the latter.
From Congressional Quarterly:
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is preparing for another showdown with the White House, this time over President Bush's use of "signing statements" to challenge provisions he finds objectionable in bills he signs into law.
But opposition from other Republicans means that Arlen Specter will have a difficult time making legislative headway in his latest move to counter executive powers assumed by the Bush White House.
Even Sen. John "I'm a maverick, really I am" McCain isn't worried about these statements. Anyone care to wager that Johnny Boy isn't pooh-poohing this is because he doesn't want screw himself out of the chance to wield the pen?
I'm really not surprised. It is an election year after all and no matter how hard Republicans try to distance themselves from Bush prior to the mid-terms, their futures are ultimately still tethered to him. The Republicans know only one strategy: perception management. No matter how much they try to appear independent from this administration, when faced with confrontation they will always side with Dear Leader.
And don't think this allegiance is due to mere party affiliation. No, these guys are true Bushists. Because apparently they would support this type of legislation as soon as Dubya's out of office.
A bipartisan ABA task force compared the use of signing statements to a line-item veto that is not subject to congressional review, and advocated legislation similar to what Specter has described.
But former Rep. Mickey Edwards, R-Okla. (1977-93), who was a member of the ABA task force, said Republican leaders are unlikely to move Specter's bill unless its effective date is delayed until at least 2009
"Otherwise," Edwards said, "people will say this is a way to embarrass the president."
Yes, and no doubt should the next occupant of the highest office in the land have a (D) following his name, the Repubs will fight tooth and nail to end this devious practice.
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