Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

[WeWantMore]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

I really think impeachment is a ludicrous outcome. Much more likely in my opinion, is some underling from the executive branch steps forward, says, "Hey, my bad", quits, and things move on.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Obama can't be impeached anyway since he's not president nor even American, and possibly not a mammal.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Here's the problem: this administration promised to be transparent. The implication there is that previous administrations weren't, and that this one would be better than them. Stonewalling and refusing to investigate a criminal allegation raised by a member of their own party is problematic to say the least.

Impeachment is obviously a non-starter given the Democratic majorities in both chambers. However, this could certainly lead to somebody getting fired/resigning and/or being prosecuted. Depending on exactly who authorized the action, it could be pretty high up the ranks of the administration.

And I'm not surprised that Rover chose to focus on the inflammatory portions of the article rather than the important parts I mentioned (the actual statute in play and the fact that Sestak has been making this claim for months now). I don't care about a bunch of blowhards spouting off about impeachment; I do care about the applicable law to this situation and whether or not that law was broken. It does not reflect well on this administration.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Here's the problem: this administration promised to be transparent. The implication there is that previous administrations weren't, and that this one would be better than them. Stonewalling and refusing to investigate a criminal allegation raised by a member of their own party is problematic to say the least.

Impeachment is obviously a non-starter given the Democratic majorities in both chambers. However, this could certainly lead to somebody getting fired/resigning and/or being prosecuted. Depending on exactly who authorized the action, it could be pretty high up the ranks of the administration.

And I'm not surprised that Rover chose to focus on the inflammatory portions of the article rather than the important parts I mentioned (the actual statute in play and the fact that Sestak has been making this claim for months now). I don't care about a bunch of blowhards spouting off about impeachment; I do care about the applicable law to this situation and whether or not that law was broken. It does not reflect well on this administration.

When presidents of any party get the White House they say their administration is going to be different, that the previous guys were all dirty and they're going to be pure as the driven snow. Remember which president was going "to restore decency" to the White House?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

When presidents of any party get the White House they say their administration is going to be different, that the previous guys were all dirty and they're going to be pure as the driven snow. Remember which president was going "to restore decency" to the White House?

Obama used that in his campaign as well. He didn't wait till he got there.

Reason number 6,789 why I didn't vote for him. And the next guy that says that during an election cycle I'm not going to vote for either.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

When presidents of any party get the White House they say their administration is going to be different, that the previous guys were all dirty and they're going to be pure as the driven snow. Remember which president was going "to restore decency" to the White House?

Actually, I thought the exact words were "honor and dignity".

The bottom line is people would care far less about these misdeeds / ****-ups if the people gaining power weren't so busy claiming ethical and moral superiority during their campaigns. Change we can believe in, indeed.

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

The law in question can't be interpreted broadly to include all cases of politically expedient employment offers. Otherwise, it would be the epitome of dead-letter law. Every President in my lifetime has done that, and as long as I live, every President will.

So what does the statute prohibit?

"contract, appointment, or other benefit, provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of Congress"

That seems like an awfully narrow provision -- and it seems to be ignored by the armchair constitutional lawyers beating this drum. Any JDs want to weigh in?

 

[Rover]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Here's the problem: this administration promised to be transparent. The implication there is that previous administrations weren't, and that this one would be better than them. Stonewalling and refusing to investigate a criminal allegation raised by a member of their own party is problematic to say the least.

Impeachment is obviously a non-starter given the Democratic majorities in both chambers. However, this could certainly lead to somebody getting fired/resigning and/or being prosecuted. Depending on exactly who authorized the action, it could be pretty high up the ranks of the administration.

And I'm not surprised that Rover chose to focus on the inflammatory portions of the article rather than the important parts I mentioned (the actual statute in play and the fact that Sestak has been making this claim for months now). I don't care about a bunch of blowhards spouting off about impeachment; I do care about the applicable law to this situation and whether or not that law was broken. It does not reflect well on this administration.

Bakunin the article is ridiculous. If far left wing looney Lyndon Larouche breaks "big news" about an administration, be it Dem or GOP, I don't stop and consider it for 5 seconds due to the source. Same thing here.

Beyond that, the righteous indignation over this is hilarious if it wasn't so "transparent" and stupid. I'd rather the govt focus on, you know, the real problems facing the country right now. Time honored GOP tradition of launching baseless investigations and costly inquiries all for political gain is something we all can't afford right now.

Regarding Obama and transparency, I don't recall any candidates saying they'll be sneakier than the previous guy, but I think all Presidents come in thinking that they can do things better than the previous officeholder on ethics, bipartisanship, and transparency. Once they actually hold the office is when they realize much of that may not be possible. Again, nothing to get worked up about unless you think all other more pressing problems have been solved at this point.

 

[joecct]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Obama used that in his campaign as well. He didn't wait till he got there.

Reason number 6,789 why I didn't vote for him. And the next guy that says that during an election cycle I'm not going to vote for either.

If Good Time Charlie Wilson was still with us, would you vote for him for the Big Chair????

Sometimes I think we want El Presidente not to have fun. If he wants to unwind with the Mrs. and a bevy of beauties in the White House Hot Tub, OK by me! Less stress leads to less mistakes.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Regarding Obama and transparency, I don't recall any candidates saying they'll be sneakier than the previous guy

Maybe Nixon in an unguarded moment.

Obama's actually been paying big time for honoring his campaign pledge about not hiring people who have served as lobbyists for 2 years. It's creamed him in the upper echelons of the executive departments where those are the only people with experience. That's one reason why the administration will probably become a lot more effective after the fall elections.

 

[pirate]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

SOP; point a finger somewhere, anywhere, but here and now. Are we going to impeach Ben Franklin? There's a big difference in applicability of the law from rumored past wrongdoing to a sitting Chicago thug... that is, if the overt illegal act can be proven, of which I have high doubts.

What did Franklin do? Is there some new evidence of something? He looked a little shady, always a smirk on his face like he knew something everybody else didn't. Like how to discover electricity or some trivial matter.

I think you are on to something...maybe a gameshow where people have to defend people like Franklin, Lincoln, Jefferson and the loser gets impeached. I'll split the TV rights with you.

President, ambassador, dog catcher...doesn't matter, we'll dig up some stuff, literally, and throw it at 'em.

 

[Patman]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Maybe Nixon in an unguarded moment.

Obama's actually been paying big time for honoring his campaign pledge about not hiring people who have served as lobbyists for 2 years. It's creamed him in the upper echelons of the executive departments where those are the only people with experience. That's one reason why the administration will probably become a lot more effective after the fall elections.

you mean "not"... or did we forget all those dispensations.

If he had stayed as "noble" as he advertised himself he could be using that as leverage... but he did, he isn't, and so its not.

Again though... Rover, he campaigned as a paragon of honesty. Don't re-write the history books... stubborn people have a history of remembering the things you'd prefer to forget.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

What did Franklin do?

More than likely banged a bunch of French chicks.

 

[Slap Shot]

Here's the problem: this administration promised to be transparent. The implication there is that previous administrations weren't, and that this one would be better than them. Stonewalling and refusing to investigate a criminal allegation raised by a member of their own party is problematic to say the least.

I think you have a very good point here. If there's nothing to it, the investigation brings nothing but vindication, even if the accusation is from left field. This admi needs bonus points with public perception and trying to sweep this under the rug isn't going to help.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

I think you have a very good point here. If there's nothing to it, the investigation brings nothing but vindication, even if the accusation is from left field. This admi needs bonus points with public perception and trying to sweep this under the rug isn't going to help.

The investigation brings vindication, but also makes their Senate candidate in Pennsylvania a liar. Sestak has backed them into a no-win situation.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

The investigation brings vindication, but also makes their Senate candidate in Pennsylvania a liar. Sestak has backed them into a no-win situation.

Being a liar is hardly a mortal wound for a politician.

 

[Bill]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Being a liar is hardly a mortal wound for a politician.

More like it's a prerequisite.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Being a liar is hardly a mortal wound for a politician.

Sure, but in an election between a far right winger and a far left winger, I'd imagine there's a chunk of independents looking for a candidate. If one is an outright liar...

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

Sure, but in an election between a far right winger and a far left winger, I'd imagine there's a chunk of independents looking for a candidate. If one is an outright liar...

Any competent campaign can find inconsistencies / lies / backtracking on the part of the other candidate. Plus there's always the fallback position of "I misremembered it".

 

[geezer]

Re: Obama XII: The shine is off the glass slipper

This is interesting.