Obama Can Use 14th Amendment To Raise Debt Ceiling

[rachel1]

"The White House signaled on Thursday that President Barack Obama would not use the Constitution to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling in the event of a standoff with Republicans. But there are plenty of key Democrats who think that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

During his Thursday briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney dismissed the idea that Obama has the constitutional authority to increase the debt limit himself if Congress doesn't do it by early February, when the government is expected to run out of money. The debt ceiling is currently capped at $16.4 trillion."*

In a standoff over the debt ceiling, President Obama could use the 14th Amendment (or at least the threat of one) to raise the ceiling without Republican interference. However, he won't be going that route. Why not? Would it be so hard for him to at least use the threat as leverage? Cenk uygur, Jimmy Dore (The Jimmy Dore Show) and John Iadarola (Host, TYT University) discuss the president's options.

*Read more from Jennifer Bendery/ Huffington Post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/07/debt-ceiling-14th-amendment_n_2257610.html

If the repukes won't cooperate then Obama ought to show them who's boss and invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling without their approval.

Only repuke scumbags would have the audacity to claim that such a decision is "unconstitutional".

[bluedave]

1. well

the T partiers surely need a good slapping but I'd be surprised (and proud of 'im) if he did.

[Beartracks]

2. The picture shows the President raising the debt ceiling....

.... (or maybe just levitating it?) by simply hovering his left hand over it and exerting his will with great concentration!



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[SkyDaddy7]

3. I don't buy into this & even Obama himself said...

The POTUS does NOT have the authority to use the 14th to raise the debt ceiling...I think this is more wishful thinking than anything else. Misinformation bounced around inside the Liberal BUBBLE that is repeated so much folks begin to think it is actually true. Kinda like vaccines & GM Foods are harmful when there is tons of science that says otherwise.

[ronatchig]

4. I wonder if the President has the

authority to decide not to pay certain obligations, say by congressional district. I'm thinking any contractors in say Republican districts. Not Medicaid or such. Just to squeeze 'em a little .