Pelosi 'Clearly' Backs 14th Amendment Option In Debt Standoff, Congressman Reports

[jefferson_dem]

Pelosi 'Clearly' Backs 14th Amendment Option In Debt Standoff, Congressman Reports

WASHINGTON -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) may not be pushing the issue publicly, but in private she "clearly" supports President Barack Obama using the Constitution to raise the debt ceiling as a last resort, according to one Democratic lawmaker.

"Nancy clearly wants it," said the lawmaker, who requested anonymity. "Publicly? No. Privately? She thinks the president should do it. Period."

Several top Democrats have endorsed the idea in recent days as an eleventh hour solution: House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) backed the option on Wednesday. House Democratic Caucus chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) and Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) emerged from a Monday Caucus meeting announcing their support for the idea as well.

But Pelosi, the highest-ranking House Democrat, has been mum. One possible reason is that she has to preserve the image that Congress will reach a deal before the situation even gets to that point.

The provision at the heart of the constitutional debate, Section 4 of the 14th Amendment, states: “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payments of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.” Essentially, Democrats are arguing that since the "public debt" cannot be questioned, then the debt ceiling itself is unconstitutional.

<SNIP>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/30/congressman-pelosi-clearly-backs-14th-amendment-in-debt-standoff_n_914137.html?1312068890&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

[trueblue2007]

1. GO FOR IT NANCY!! Yes to Pres Obama invoking the 14th amendment

Come on President Obama..... DO IT!!!! Invoke the 14th Amendment. Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion."

**** HARRY TRUMAN USED THE 14TH AMENDMENT ***


“Apparently Harry Truman invoked the 14th Amendment. If it was good enough for "the buck stops here" Harry it's good enough for me.”


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/wmnorton/14th-amendment-congress_b_912776_99783573.html?ref=fb&src=sp#sb=668796,b=facebook

[SpartanDem]

10. No Truman did not used the 14th Amendment

not to raised the debt ceiling in fact it was lowered during Trumans term.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1604517#1604655

http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2011/jul/21/richard-codey/new-jersey-sen-richard-codey-claims-every-presiden/

[kelly1mm]

2. Easy for her to say. She is not the one that would be impeached and there

is nothing she can do to stop it.

[sasha031]

3. this is suppose to be about the country, or am I missing something

the Senate would stop it if it happened.

[kelly1mm]

5. I agree that the Senate would not convict but I think Clinton was ineffective

following his impeachment. Nothing will get done after they finish with Obama. Nothing.

[woolldog]

6. If he does it and they impeach, they lose in 2012.

That simple. They'll be punished for it, and Obama will soar in popularity.

[Indykatie]

9. Your Comment is Spot On Kelly

Those calling for use of the 14th amendment can do so cause it's not their ass on the line. I certainly don't want a default but do not support Obama taking this unilateral action. That would only embolden the teabag crowd and Americans still would not know how evil and destructive this crowd has been It it can't be worked out by 8/2 Obama should take whatever actions he can to minimize the damage. Folks once and for all need to see how serious this all is so we never have to deal with it again.

[Lorien]

12. Oh stop it. Even Bill Clinton said that he would use the 14th

and you ARE NOT a greater expert on the subject than he is. Enough with the covering for Obama's desire to implement Shock Doctrine policies.

[lumpy]

15. What makes you think Obama would be impeached ?

Huh?

[kelly1mm]

16. Because crazies control the House and they can impeach with 217 votes. nt

[woolldog]

4. Sadly, the President doesn't have the balls to go all

14th amendment on them. He's a wimp.

[CakeGrrl]

7. The guy who deployed Seal Team 6 on Bin Laden is a "wimp".

:rofl:

Pardon me if I don't put too much stock in your character assessments.

[woolldog]

8. you act like he was

on the mission, fast roping in on the helicopters with the seals. :rofl:

[treestar]

11. And had it failed, you'd blame the Seals, not Obama, right?

:rofl:

[woolldog]

13. I wouldn't blame anyone,

just like I didn't (and don't) blame Carter.

It's funny how personally some people seem to take opposition to this President. I would like nothing more than for this President to be a fighter for Democratic principles. I'm not going to sacrifice my belief in those principles because he's a likable guy. He's doing a poor job.

[treestar]

17. Not the issue

You're making a point that you'll never give Obama credit but will always assign blame.

Yes, you would blame Obama had it failed. It did not, so you credit only the SEALS.

A double standard worthy of Republicans.

[creeksneakers2]

14. The Dem leaders must be trying to sell wolf tickets.

[KoKo]

18. Good! But, we know it won't stand. Still it's good to read this.

This "Debt Ceiling" is Wall Street and Bankster's Hype. Tying "Debt" to raising "Debt Ceiling" was the huge mistake that allowed the Tea Partiers to get most of what they wanted. Our President should have never allowed this to happen...unless it was what he wanted to have happen. That's the question we should be asking. Did he or Didn't he want this to happen? :shrug: