Obama should just unilaterally raise the debt ceiling

[rdking647]

claim the 14th amendment lets him
the house can then try to impeach him but it will die in the senate and it will be the end of the GOP

[gopiscrap]

1. I agree

[Stargazer09]

2. I'd rather see the GOP fold under the pressure

But it's nice to have a backup plan.

[BlueCaliDem]

3. It would be a PR nightmare for Democrats and a win for the GOP in 2014.

I'm pretty sure they (Kochs and Co) already have the ads ready to go should the president try this. With half of constitutional professors being for the president using the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling and the other calling it unconstitutional, the GOP will then have more red meat to toss to their rabid radicals to try and impeach - even if it is unsuccessful.

[CTyankee]

19. I think Bill Clinton recommended that Obama invoke the 14th amendment...

he's a pretty good political strategist...

[Lasher]

4. I admire your enthusiasm but that would be a bad idea.

Even if he survived impeachment over such an unconstitutional act, he would at least unify Republicans and probably sway public opinion in their favor.

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. - Napoleon Bonaparte

[rdking647]

7. if we default

the resulting chaos would make the 2008 bush recession look like a drop in the bucket.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

16. A unilateral unconstitutional declartion vs. a PR opportunity to blame the GOP

Not to mention you don't want to set a precedent for the inevitable GOP administration to disregard the Constitution.

[cynatnite]

5. I personally would like it, but I don't think it's a good idea...

It's too risky politically, IMO. The repukes would go off the tracks over it.

[rdking647]

8. they've already gone off the tracks

[grantcart]

10. That's exactly why it is a great idea.

If your enemy is standing in a pool of gasoline and wants to smoke give him a match.


The Republicans would start a civil war in their caucus on impeachment.


The blowback from that would be huge.

[cynatnite]

13. It would appear that Obama is doing a runaround on Congress...

Politically, I think it would be a huge mistake and hurt the Dems overall.

[BlueCaliDem]

20. So do I. I don't think invoking the 14th would do Democrats any good. eom

[grantcart]

6. That's not even the issue here.

This is about a continuing resolution to extend the budget.


Debt ceiling comes in about 3 weeks.

[rdking647]

9. october 17th

and i have no doubt the teahaddists will try and push us over the edge

better to prepare now

[grantcart]

12. I personally agree with the strategy but talking about the next crises while this

one is just getting started is just confusing.

It may well end up that they roll both of them together.

[Puzzledtraveller]

11. Thank you.

It doesn't help if we do not know what the hell is going on either.

[Zorra]

14. Yes. We cannot be held hostage by a bunch of spoiled rotten 6 yr olds in adult bodies. nt

[Beearewhyain]

15. I would like him to figure out

a way to start a preemptive court case on the 14th Amendment validity clause before it get's to default. Let the Supremes make a ruling and then go from there. However, I don't know if it's possible to start a case without him invoking the 14th in the first place, which would start a Constitutional crisis. Would still be better than default IMHO.

[Yo_Mama]

17. It still wouldn't give the Treasury the constitutional authority to borrow!

We don't have a continuing resolution right now, much less a budget!

[ladjf]

18. Obama should use whatever tactic the White House lawyers deem to be the most effective in

order to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally. Probably the 14th amendment would be the best choice.