Obama is personally responsible for every action taken by a federal agency

[LoZoccolo]

is a shit statement

[Lost4words]

1. but its mostly true isnt it?

[elleng]

8. No.

'A' federal agency?

'Independent agencies of the United States federal government are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments (those headed by a Cabinet secretary). However, most independent agencies are part of the executive branch, with only a few being part of the legislative or judicial branches.

Established through separate statutes passed by the Congress, each respective statutory grant of authority defines the goals the agency must work towards, as well as what substantive areas, if any, over which it may have the power of rulemaking. These agency rules (or regulations), while in force, have the power of federal law.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_agencies_of_the_United_States_government

[Lost4words]

21. self delete

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Truman, Harry.

What an idiot.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. In all of the thousands upon thousands upon thousands of decisions made every day

by every individual in every federal government agency, was HT literally saying that it all ultimately fell on him? I know his motto and his reputation but surely he didn't run the federal government all by himself, did he? Did he take the blame/responsibility for EVERY bad decision made by a flunky?

[Warren Stupidity]

13. No he was saying that when shit blew up in his face he was taking responsibility

for it rather than blaming underlings.

The homophobic DADT survey is a disgrace.

The defense of homophobia here by the Solidarity Squad is repulsive.

[G_j]

15. **

[Hosnon]

37. Haha - here's something I never knew:

"On the reverse side, i.e. the side that Truman saw, it was inscribed, 'I'm from Missouri'."

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-buck-stops-here.html

(Not sure how reliable the source is.)

[defendandprotect]

3. Obama has no idea that the Commission on Social Security and Medicare is packed with

die hards who have long wanted to destroy the programs?

He doesn't know, eh?

[havocmom]

7. Reckon he didn't know about the pasts of the guys he put at Treasury and Interior either

He is just one man, he can't be held responsible for those other guys, especially the ones he hired.

And our poor President is such a fragile flower that a squad of people have to race around DU protecting him all the time.

:rofl:

edited for typo/ wish the nerves to my hands worked better

[defendandprotect]

28. +1000% ---

Too true -- !!

:)

[Oregone]

5. is a shit statement

is a shit statement

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. OK, but how many of you have read "The Strawberry Statement"

I am clearly showing my age here...

[LoZoccolo]

11. Or "Strawberry Letter 23"? n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. We used to blame Bush for everything, and some were serious about it...

Off course its a silly statement to blame him personally, but he is POTUS and the buck stops there.

[havocmom]

12. come on, blaming the prez for everything was so 2001

That was then, this is now. Now it is no longer acceptable to be critical of The Most Powerful Man In The World.

TMPMITW must be constantly protected from negative vibes and statements.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Ultimately, Yes

For example, when Rahm called me "fucking retarded", Obama wasn't responsible. But when Obama did not fire Rahm, or otherwise disavow the statement, he became the proud owner of it.

While Obama doesn't own petty stuff, he certainly owns anything large and awful that he doesn't halt.

[flvegan]

14. Actually, Obama is personally responsible for every RESULT of every action

taken by a federal agency.

He *is* the boss. I'm not promoting fault, I'm suggesting responsibility. His people, his guidance, his result.

[LoZoccolo]

18. Are splinterists responsible for the result of their vote a la Bush* 2000? n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

19. Are hangnails the ultimate evil?

[flvegan]

23. Splinterists?

[Warren Stupidity]

33. The OP, having lost badly, is attempting to hijack his own thread.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. However, he is responsible for who gets appointed to head federal agencies.

[eilen]

17. does it really matter in the whole schema?

what is the point of it anyway? It appears that people question his leadership. Has he communicated his vision, his strategic plan to his team of appointees clearly? Are his appointees, the leaders of various federal agencies incompetent, corrupt or confused?

He is their CEO. His action or inaction in face of the crises that arise from these various agencies speaks to his leadership and stewardship of our nation. In that respect, people can make what judgements and opine upon them-- whether in askance or defense.

Ultimately, someone will point out the alternative is batshit crazy and everyone will fall in line and it will not matter one whit and the opportunity for wisdom will be lost in frustrated silence or endless pendantic internet sniping.

[Amonester]

20. Yes.

Not for every action. For most actions, but not for every action.

[Bonobo]

22. You should post that same sentiment on this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8739148&mesg_id=8739148

[Fumesucker]

24. That's a shit statement..

Obama is only personally responsible for the *good* things that federal agencies do, the bad stuff has nothing to do with him.

[donheld]

25. The Buck stops where?

[davidinalameda]

26. Arlington? maybe Alexadria?

certainly not in Washington

maybe Bethesda if you're up that way

[Bluebear]

27. Don't forget to thank the mods!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8272103

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8383013

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8392870

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8095504

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8060893

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=7571744

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8633892

:bounce:

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[metapunditedgy]

29. Reagan was responsible for Ollie North, even though many pretended he wasn't.

Since that time, I've held that the guy at the top is, in fact, responsible for what the rest of the Exec Branch does. Whether or not he can remember it.

[MajorChode]

31. With few exceptions, it's mostly true

The vast majority of federal government functions fall under the president's direct influence. The exceptions are things like the very small minority of entities which fall under the judicial and legislative branches. The Fed board of governors is another example because even though the president has the power to appoint, he can't do much until their term is up.

In all presidencies, shit is going to happen. The true measure of a president's character is how he deals with it. Good examples of what not to do are Raygun, Bush I and Bush II's dealings and defense of their felonious administration officials.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

34. Look at

Administrative Law and Process: In a Nutshell and Administrative Procedure Act and repost.

[MajorChode]

38. Let me see if I have this right...

You want me to read a plethora of vague sources and somehow derive some obscure point you are trying to make.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Cheers!

[Warren Stupidity]

39. This is quite the fashion these days.

Don't make an actual argument, instead force your opponent to go waltzing around the intertubes to figure out what it is you might be trying to say. I find it obnoxious.

[Prism]

32. Oh god, now what did he do

Whenever the powerless president meme comes flying, I immediately know the administration has done something indefensible somewhere. I don't even have to know the details. I simply know it's something so awful that we have to play another rousing game of "The President doesn't have any executive authority or responsibility. I mean, not really. He's more for show, when you think about it. A representative symbol of the executive. He doesn't really do anything at all."

So, what is it this time? It must be bad because we're yet again in that area where a powerless president who has no handle on his own administration is considered a good and complimentary defense of the man.

[DailyGrind51]

35. Obama is as responsible as Bush was, not responsible for much, apparently.

[Hosnon]

36. I agree. But he is personally responsible for every legitimate action.

Fraud on the part of the employee, for example, excuses him. But only to the extent that proper mechanisms are in place to protect against such fraud.

Leadership has a price.