Which candidate will Roll Back Executive Power?

[Khaotic]

Which candidate do you believe will roll back the expansion of executive powers that took place during the Bush Administration???

Both Hillary and Obama answered questions from the Boston Globe about Executive Power.

Hillary: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/CandidateQA/ClintonQA/

Obama: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/CandidateQA/ObamaQA/

From Obama, concerning answering questions about the survey given to the candidates on Executive Powers:

"These are essential questions that all the candidates should answer. The American people need to know where we stand on these issues before they entrust us with this responsibility - particularly at a time when our laws, our traditions, and our Constitution have been repeatedly challenged by this administration."

Here's a link to a blog that broke down the whole Boston Globe survey on Executive Powers and the candidates' answers:

http://www.onemillionstrong.us/showDiary.do?diaryId=492

In October the New York Times reported that Hillary said the Bush-Cheney administration had engaged in a power grab and that she would consider relinquishing some of that executive power if she followed it into the White House.

Hmmmmm, "consider" relinquishing "some" of that executive power.

But I digress ... what do you think?

Which candidate do you think will roll back the Executive Powers grabbed up by the Bush Administration if he or she were to become the 44th President of the United States?

[Autumn]

1. Hillary n/t

[jillan]

2. Both will.

[Radical Activist]

3. The Constitutional Law professor

Obama has had some excellent things to say about this.

[DJ13]

4. The Clintons had a problem with privacy and spying in Bill's terms

Im not comfortable with her having the Executive powers Bush has seized for the President since taking office.

Not sure she would willingly give up that kind of power.

[davidwparker]

9. You mean the Eschelon project?

http://newsbusters.org/node/3282
60 Minutes transcript mentioned in first link: http://cryptome.org/echelon-60min.htm

I learned of this last night while watching From Freedom to Fascism on FSTV.

But, but, but, that's Bill Clinton. He's a (D) and we look the other way when it is a (D).

[Rockholm]

5. Hillary, because Obama can't win the GE.

That should set "some" people off.

[AndyA]

6. One of my biggest concerns about Barack is his stance on impeachment.

Regarding Bush and Cheney, he isn't for it.

And that's because in his opinion they haven't committed any "grave breaches of authority." :wtf:

I mean, what the hell, Barack! Starting a war based on lies isn't a grave breach of authority?

Torture isn't?

Spying on American citizens and then lying about it isn't?

Outing a covert CIA agent during a time of war isn't a grave breach of authority?

I'd like to know what a grave breach of authority is to Barack. And I certainly don't want someone in the White House (again) who thinks they are above the law.

[CoffeeCat]

7. Hillary will enjoy that power...Obama won't

Ever notice that Hillary only comments on this issue, when she is forced?

She never comes out against Bush's 'Unitary Executive' mentality, nor has
she spoken out about Bush's terrible treatment of our Constitution and
his erosion of civil rights.

When forced to respond, she says she will "consider" relinquishing "some" of
that executive power.

What a joke.

Obama talks about this in his campaign materials. He brings it up before the
reporters ask. Obama is a Constitutional Scholar. He knows the Constitution
like the back of his hand and he is just as upset as we are, about Bush's
power plays.

Obama wants to undo the illegal wiretaps, close Guantanamo, end the secrecy
in government, and this is all outlined in his plan. It's up on his Web site.

Obama specifically addresses Bush's "Unitary Executive" stance, and Obama
goes out of his way to say that he will not govern like that. He'll
govern according to the Constitution.

Obama...hands down.

[Laurab]

8. Obama - who constantly speaks to this

and to transparent and open government. Hillary would "consider" it? I don't believe there is much "considering" to do. Hillary scares me because she is quite secretive in many ways. Obama has talked about having all hearings and meetings broadcast on CSPAN. It's one of the reasons I prefer him.

[TexasObserver]

10. Obama will. Clinton will not.

[davidwparker]

12. google project Eschelon or see my comment above. Of course, Hillary will

use The Force; her husband did.

[TexasObserver]

15. you're quite right there

Absolute power corrupts some people absolutely.

They've gone over to the darkside, and I say that as someone who helped them win two terms in the White House.

[katty]

11. both will

[sazemisery]

13. Neither.

[Uncle Sinister]

14. Both. They both understand and respect the constitution. How refreshing!

And not a gnat's ass worth of difference between their views on executive powers.

[izzie]

16. I think Obama would be best for us.

I think Clinton would also be pretty good but she has to carry the baggage from Bill so would not be as open. I think she would protect her husbands record if something looked bad for him. Like the so called private papers. I my self think that the people of the USA own the papers of our President I do not feel any President has a right to shut them down to any one who would like to see them. I am not even for a say 26 year wait but they should be open say a year after a Pres. leaves office. More light the better for the voters.

[harun]

17. I hope Obama will, I know Hillary won't (n/t)