On Signing Statements, McCain Says 'Never,' Obama and Clinton 'Sometimes'

Republican presidential candidate John McCain (R-Ariz.) made an arresting claim on the campaign trail last week: If elected president, he would issue no signing statements reserving the right to disregard parts of laws passed by Congress.

Asked by my colleague Glenn Kessler whether he would ever consider issuing a signing statement as president, Sen. McCain was emphatic: "Never, never, never, never. If I disagree with a law that passed, I'll veto it."

The comment brought to life the question of whether President Bush's aggressive defense of presidential prerogatives will outlast his administration. Bush has been heavily criticized by lawmakers and others over his extensive use of signing statements, in which, rather than veto a bill, he makes it clear he will not be bound by what he considers unconstitutional provisions included by Congress.

 

"The problem with this administration is that it has attached signing statements to legislation in an effort to change the meaning of the legislation, to avoid enforcing certain provisions of the legislation that the President does not like, and to raise implausible or dubious constitutional objections to the legislation," Obama answered. But, he added: "No one doubts that it is appropriate to use signing statements to protect a president's constitutional prerogatives."

In her own Globe questionnaire, Clinton made a similar point about legal issues. "I would only use signing statements in very rare instances to note and clarify confusing or contradictory provisions, including provisions that contradict the Constitution," she wrote. "My approach would be to work with Congress to eliminate or correct unconstitutional provisions before legislation is sent to my desk."

Now McCain could be lying, but I find it rather funny that Hillary as well as Obama chided Bush for his signing statements, and yet, they are willing to say "sometimes".  Well is "sometimes" once in your term, or hundreds of times out of thousands of bills that come through?

You can't have it both ways though.  Don't chide someone for doing something that you would do, even if they do it more often then you would.

For example, if you cheat on your wife, and then you denounce a buddy who does it all the time, you're still no better then your buddy, you're just "less guilty" then he is in your eyes.

If you can't see the difference, then don't bother running for President.  I don't need a hypocrite in power.

 

Travis

travis@rightwinglunatic.com