Barack Obama seeks line-item veto....

[one_voice]

President Barack Obama is joining recent presidents who have wanted a power they can’t quite have: the line-item veto.

*snip*

So, on Monday, the Obama team proposed a line-item veto with a twist: The president would have a limited time after a bill is passed to submit a package of rescissions that must be considered by Congress in straight up or down votes.

*snip*

Politically, the proposal helps the Obama administration mute criticism from the right that it isn’t doing enough to cut spending. And because the Obama proposal is similar to one included in the Republican Contract With America in 1994, it helps move him toward the political center on the spending issue.


It also presents a challenge to Republicans, who have traditionally pushed for line-item-veto authority but may be wary of giving such power to Obama for fear it could be used against them politically.


For their part, Republicans on Monday said they supported the measure even as they criticized the president for runaway spending and the highest deficit of the post-World War II era.


*snip*



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37711.html#ixzz0otehr6ED

[RandomThoughts]

1. He spoke about that during election.

I remember that concept in speeches or a debate, although it seems it would be an imbalance of executive power.

I think in some debate or speech he mentioned how he would look at every bill line by line, seemed to be a comment on line item veto back then.

[one_voice]

4. Yes he did...

He talked about the difference between a hatchet and a scalpel. I remember he hammered this during debates with McCain.

[Luminous Animal]

10. Obama's "scalpel" was in response to McCain claiming that he would take

a hatchet to the budget and demand an across the board spending freeze. Obama countered that the budget didn't need a hatchet but rather a scalpel with some increases here and some cuts there.

Neither one was referring to a line item veto.

[greymattermom]

2. there are certain items in certain districts that should be vetoed

How about vetoing the earmarks in all the repuke anti government spending districts? Give them what they asked for.

[bluestateguy]

3. I agree

and then use it to cancel pork spending programs for congressmen who don't play ball, or to cancel money for states who vote the wrong way on election day.

[nebenaube]

5. Only fools would grant this power to anyone... n/t

[Robeson]

6. Agreed.

[elocs]

8. On no, this magical and awesome power will only be reserved for Democratic presidents

so there will be no danger it will ever be used by a Republican. Of course, only fools would believe that, but there are plenty of fools to go around.

[ShadowLiberal]

7. Most state governors have line item veto power on spending

This isn't as unprecedented as it might sound, I've read that over 40 states allow governors line item vetoes on spending items.

[BadgerKid]

9. Prediction...

Republicans will claim such a line-item veto is not provided for in the Constitution; hence they will be against it. If Republicans gain control of the presidency, they will push for such a line-item veto regardless of constitutionality. It will be hypocrisy in action.

[Luminous Animal]

11. A line item veto has already been declared unconstitional.

The type of veto that Obama is seeking is nearly identical to the one GWB sought.

[MajorChode]

14. Actually the GOP was for it when Bubba was president

One need only to quote Raygun if the GOPhers don't like it.

[QC]

12. Reagan used to talk about that all the time.

It was one of his most popular talking points. Hardly a day ever passed without him declaring that his administration would not have been running the biggest deficits in the history of the nation if only that mean ole Congress would have given him a line item veto.

That which was old is new again!

[Catherina]

13. NO. n/t

[caledesi]

15. Obama will get it...he will be patient... Obama always gets

what he wants and is willing to work for it. He is tenacious.

[Dr Morbius]

16. Barack Obama may perhaps be trusted with this power. But he won't be President forever.

Further, there is too much power in the executive already.\

No, Mr. President. You can't have it.

[laughingliberal]

17. Nope. eom

[TexasObserver]

18. The role of congress will be impaired if there is a line item veto.

What's the point of passing anything if the president can draw a line through it and end it?