I have a question and a concern about Obama which I so far have not seen anyone ask

[cstanleytech]

and thats what will Obama do to address what Bush has done these past few years such as the outting of Plame, will he appoint a special independent investigator to look into these things or will he help in quietly sweeping it all under the rug like past presidents have done?
This is of course assuming Bush does not issue a boatload of pardons of course as a means of torpedoing any investigation and I really hate to think Obama would not have it investigated especially since I'm voting for him but still, it does kinda concern me.

[Lifetimedem]

1. NO he will not

The presidency is a "brotherhood".

I just hope he UNDOES a lot of those signing statements and puts the balance of power back the way it was intended.

[frogcycle]

2. you won't get an answer

only he knows his feelings on this, and he's not talking, understandably

just wait and see

[liberal N proud]

3. That is not a topic for the campaign season

It is something he should only reveal once in office.

[eShirl]

4. of course Bush is going to issue a boatload of pardons

starting with himself

[WilliamPitt]

5. Offhand, I can't think of a single example in the last 100 years

of a new president initiating an investigation of the prior administration. Carter didn't do so after Ford, Clinton didn't do so after Bush Sr., Nixon didn't do so after JFK and LBJ.

Possibly, this is because they don't want to distract their newly-arrived team from getting his own stuff done. Possibly, this is also because a power-grab made by a previous president means more power for the new president, especially if he/she doesn't address the issue or fix the damage. Most politicians enjoy power. Not putting this on Obama specifically, but it is what it is.

If this helps, Obama has sworn to have his Attorney General do a careful review of every Bush signing statement, and he has vowed to undo any which are found to be unconstitutional. That's actually pretty damned important, as George has done 90% of his nastiest work via that process.

[SmileyRose]

6. Cheney will make sure there's no legal way to get them.

that's his job.

[Ian David]

7. He has said that investigations will continue after January 2009. n/t