Obama: ‘I Will Use Whatever Power This Office Holds’ To Prevent Tragedies Like This...

[ProSense]

Obama: ‘I Will Use Whatever Power This Office Holds’ To Prevent Tragedies Like This (VIDEO)

President Obama promised to use the power of the presidency to try to prevent more events like the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School during a speech at a vigil for the families of the victims of Friday's elementary school shooting. "In the coming weeks, I will use whatever power this office holds" to prevent more tragedies like this, Obama said on Sunday night in Newtown, Conn.

Though he did not cite specific policy proposals, Obama made the case that the nation was not doing enough to protect its children and must change in order to do better, citing the fact that this is the fourth time he has traveled to a community suffering from a mass shooting.

"Caring for our children, it's our first job," Obama said. "If we don't get that right, we don't get anything right. That's how as a society we will be judged. And by that measure, can we truly say as a nation that we're meeting our obligations? Can we honestly say, that we're doing enough to keep our children -- all of them -- safe from harm?"

"If we're honest with ourselves, the answer is no. We're not doing enough. And we will have to change."

"We can't tolerate this anymore," Obama continued. "These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change."

- more -

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-i-will-use-whatever-power-this-office

[MannyGoldstein]

1. "Well done is better than well said"

- Ben Franklin

[Robb]

3. "Obama needs to speak out!" - Manny, on other stuff.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. Speak up... And do it. nt

[bluestateguy]

2. It is also an admission of limitations

That he will do what the office enables him to do, but what requires congressional approval, that's another matter.

And if you think he can make a few speeches here and there to get the House to pass a major gun bill, you will be disappointed.

[axetogrind]

6. And therein lies the rub.

He can't do a whole lot without the Congress on board, what he can do is propose legislation to the Congress and bring to bear the bully pulpit to try to get the legislation passed. Other than that, not much else.

[6502]

10. And Obama cant move them all without US....

Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 08:04 AM - Edit history (2)

... we need to create a throng like Occupy Wall Street that is of bigger scale than the Million March.

With that the President and the Democrats can just point outside and say, "Do what you want to. But you see those 2 million folks out there that think different to you? You have to walk out there after your vote... and we don't have enough security to protect you from that."

Actually, we can read all about it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022008151

[ComplimentarySwine]

13. It sounds to me like he is referring to an executive order... n/t

[pinto]

5. A sad and unfortunate time, but forceful use of his role as a national voice, a focus.

He can't act alone. The rest of us need to step up as well. That includes Congress, State legislatures, national organizations and the public. "We must change".

[rhett o rick]

7. I hope he takes action. He said he wouldnt defend DOMA. Means nothing. DOMA is still fully in force

Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 10:21 AM - Edit history (1)

Edit to correct that Obama said he wouldnt defend DOMA. He will continue to enforce. Thanks to dsc below for catching that.

[dsc]

14. actually he said he wouldn't defend DOMA in court

not that he wouldn't enforce it. And he isn't defending it in court.

[rhett o rick]

19. You are right. I misstated. Everyone got excited with he said it was unconstitutional

but nothing has changed.

[ZombieHorde]

8. I wonder what he has in mind. nt

[pscot]

9. I don't know what that means

Is he going to advocate for tougher gun laws? If so, he missed a golden opportunity. If he's just saying we need to be better people, judging from the reaction of DU's gun clacque I don't think that's going to happen.?

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. What is he going to do about the 100+ Pakistani children his drones have killed?

Seriously.

[misschicken]

12. Sweep them under a rug.

[Hoopermazing]

15. Obama Isn't Going To Do Anything Except...

...ensure that the Republicans will hold both houses of Congress at the end of 2014.

[laundry_queen]

17. You sure seem to hope so. nt

[ProSense]

20. Be sure to read

this while you're here:

Whistling past the gun lobby (Paul Krugman)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021998233

[geomon666]

16. He can't do it alone.

We as a nation need to speak up and let those in positions of power know what we want done and remind them of the consequences of turning their backs to an angry populace. Can it be done? Sure, but will it?

[6502]

18. You know what? You're right....

We can read all about it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022008151