Someone please debunk the "the President can declassify it" argument?

[Bleacher Creature]

I know that this claim has been debunked -- I'm just being too lazy to look for the best place to find it since there is material all over the internet. Plus, it would be good to post the best and most authoritative source at one place. Thanks!

[monarch]

1. One place you can start

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x863042

[ihelpu2see]

2. I too would like to know... Will the Rovebots be able to spin this?

Will this story of treason and political malfeasance carry through subsequent news cycles? And when will we say as a nation enough and march on DC. Give me a week or two to clear my schedule and I will be there!!!

[napi21]

3. Here. Check this link.

It's the best explaination of the situation I've heard or read. It's John Dean's answer when asked the question you asked. Go down the page till you see the heading "can the President or VP unilatrally and selectively declassify?"

http://smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=25584&mode=nested

[Justice Is Comin]

4. It doesn't mean

diddly whether he has or hasn't got the right as far as him being screwed. Because it's what he DIDN'T leak that shows why he did it.

[INdemo]

7. There is just no other way to say this

This idea that he did nothing wrong and " the President can leak classified material as long as it was declassified" .....Why is the media so hep on defending this guy....Folks lets face if a Democrat was in the White House and leaked this kind of stuff not only would he be impeached he would be convicted and sent to prison...This is totally unequivically BULLSHIT..........

[LA lady]

8. liars

Now they are passing the buck (OF COURSE) and saying Clinton did it after Sudan. You knew it would come to this!! Do they want to try and impeach him again!

[librechik]

5. you forgot the key phrase "according to the administration"

all of the "he can declassify" assertions are merely that. They cite lawyers saying Prez has the right.

These claims have not been tested in court. They are merely claims. The executive order they are based on has never been tested. It is basically Prez giving himself permision to do something illegal, and then doing it, and then saying he has the right because of the executive order he himself previously wrote! Then he says "Try to stop me!"

That's where we are right now. Can we stop him? He says no, cuz he says so. What do we have?

Not much. Any attempt to test this in court would have to originate in Congress, and they won't, as long as the Pukkkes are in charge.

Are we in the right? I think so. I think his claims are BS. We know experts involved in the process say there is much more formal paperwork involved in a declassification than the Prez merely blabbing out whatever he feels like for whatever reason. Can I prove it? I could if given the opportunity. However, we may not get that.

[clydefrand]

6. Take a look at this link.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/search/display.html?terms=President%20of%20U.S.%20&url=/uscode/html/uscode50/usc_sec_50_00000435----000-notes.html

You will see that he "alone" can't declassify info even if in public's interest without the approval by a board of individuals.

[applegrove]

9. We have known the WH declassified and leaked for a long time.

Why Judy Miller doesn't have a job at the New York Times. It is legal. WH is a powerful office.

[emdee]

10. The fact that he lied about it from the beginning....

and allowed an on-going investigation that will cost millions of dollars - when he knew the road would lead back to himself is enough of a reply, in my opinion.
emdee