Byrd: Obama in power grab

[Baltoman991]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/19303.html


I know, not a popular place for information here.

What is Byrd saying? Is President Obama doing something different then any President before him has done? I'm half asleep here so maybe it will make more sense tomorrow but right now, I'm not getting what Byrd is trying to say.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest-serving Democratic senator, is criticizing President Obama’s appointment of White House “czars” to oversee federal policy, saying these executive positions amount to a power grab by the executive branch.

Perhaps President Obama is over stepping? Not in my opinion but it seems to be the opinion of Byrd.

[rucky]

1. Who's supposed to "oversee federal policy"? Congress?

:rofl:

[Thrill]

2. Typical Bullshit Politico Headline

I can understand Byrd's concern. But the Headline from this piece of shit organization as usual shows their agenda. At no time does Byrd say Obama is in a Power grab.

Again, Please stop giving that website hits.

[Baltoman991]

3. I apologize.

I do try and avoid it as much as possible but for some reason, this story just struck me the wrong way.

[Why Syzygy]

4. He's concerned about the creation of another "Rove"

Byrd warns Obama: Keep 'czars' in check

20 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The longest-serving senator in history is warning President Barack Obama to curb the power of his newly created White House agency heads because they tend to accumulate too much power with too little accountability.

The so-called czars of the new offices of health, urban affairs and climate change are not subject to Senate confirmation, West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd points out in a letter to Obama.

As presidential assistants and advisers, Byrd says, these White House officials are not accountable to Congress, Cabinet members or anyone but the president.

Byrd urged Obama to prohibit these officials from eluding investigations by asserting executive privilege. Obama did not immediately respond to the letter.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEEMclquXZCNrY33kvhPHU7SRBVgD96IFRL00

[Avalux]

5. Politico showing their ass, again. Byrd did not say "power grab". n/t

[firedupdem]

6. Valid concern that politico smears with it's bullshit headline...

they suck.

[Baltoman991]

7. I posted

the title of the article and probably shouldn't have.

What I thought I may be missing was the "power grab" statement in the story because in reading it, I never saw it.

Believe me, I know Politico is full of crap and I should know by now that 99% of their headlines are just made up BS.

[firedupdem]

9. No reflection on you....I've done it before myself....then realized

they were screwing with my head. :D

[Hieronymus]

8. I saw some ass from politico on tv today ... lying his ass off.

[poverlay]

10. I love how everyone from the media to Congress is suddenly Soooo concerned about presidential

overreach. When Bush is getting tens of thousands muredered and tortured and shredding the constitution there's nary a word. Try and educate the children, stop the wars, and make the little folk's lives better and Katy bar the door this S.O.B. is going to steal everything that isn't locked down.
I must say:
Thank You all you self appointed watchdogs. What would we do without you? This country would fall apart if it wasn't for you Sen. Byrd. Oh... Wait.. hmmm

Self-aggrandizing ass-hats. One and all.

Thank you for allowing me to rant. It won't be the last I'm certain..

[Enrique]

11. Byrd didn't say a word about Bush's overreach?

what planet are you on? Who stood up for the Constitution more than Byrd?

[JTFrog]

15. Byrd did stand up and was pushed off the floor at times by his own party. People like Hillary

Clinton who interrupted Byrd when he was giving his anti-war speech on the senate floor so she could push the IWR down our throats.

I understand we're all ready to eat our own right now, but let's at least start with those that actually were complacent.

[uponit7771]

12. Byrd NEVER said anything about "power grab" that's politicos stupidity

[Bucky]

13. Byrd is always on the look out for Constitutional abuse. Good for him

Byrd understands that proper Constitutional process and balance is as much a part of essential American liberties as the Bill of Rights are. He gets it. I understand that he didn't say "power grab" but he does give the president a well timed caveat. Limited government is important, as Obama himself acknowledged in several different ways the other night.

I feel good knowing people like Byrd and Obama are on the job and that they understand sometimes they're forced to be in institutional conflict with each other. That's how checks and balances work; how much better is this compared to the lock step march of folly we saw under Republican mismanagement!

[demokatgurrl]

14. You're right, you're half asleep.

Obama understands and respects the Constitution.
Power grab by the Executive Branch = Bush/Cheney.

edit for spelling, as usual

[Dinger]

16. # 1, I Hate politico, # 2,

Are you a fan of Balto, the lead dog on the Race To Nome, that saved many from a diptheria epidemic? I love that story.

P.S. politico is waaaay too young of a so-called political site to be cited as often as it is in the media. There are better sources out there.
Shit, they have commentators on all the networks, like it's the best source out there.

[Mass]

17. What he is concerned with is that these "czar" do not require advice and consent by the Senate.

It is a good question, that has nothing to do with Bush's actions (or the stupid headline Politico created about that), but is worth being asked. Is it fine that any president goes around advice and consent by naming people that will supervise policies, but do not to answer to congress?