Some Context for the Debates
John Yoo ·
October 4, 2012 at 9:50pm
I thought Mitt Romney clearly got the better of Barack Obama in last night's debate. But what also struck me was how acute Romney's need to win Congress is if he's going to follow through on his promises.
The President cannot change anyone's tax rates. The President cannot cut spending. The President cannot repeal Obamacare, though he can halt the output of regulations. President Obama, on the other hand, can live off the liberal legislation passed from 2009-2010, when Democrats delegated broad legislative powers to the executive in Obamacare and the bailouts. Our Constitution's separation of powers places a high bar before efforts at reform, especially when it comes to uprooting flawed legislation.
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Comments:
Feb '12
Re: Some Context for the Debates
I thought Romney made a solid point answering that several times. A President does not legislate but he or she can lead. A President can meet regularly with both parties, open dialogue and nudge Congress through the press. A President can use the bully pulpit to exercise public support and pressure Congress to follow through on tough issues. A real President can lead by playing fair and nice with others - even his political opposition. None of that was lost on me or Obama last night.
Aug '12
Re: Some Context for the Debates
We're aware of the separation of powers and how Congress usually should be in control of legislature and budgeting. Without a budget the President (with a wink from Congress) was able to fill the vacuum of deciding how the bailout money would be spent. How Obama got these "super-legal" powers to do pretty much as he pleased is beyond me.
What a (hopefully) President Romney will have as a freshly elected Leader is the bully pulpit, even with the resistance of the Statist Media, to influence public opinion. He'll have to target two or three specific goals and stay on them.
My suggestions:
1. Freeze any further implementation of Obamacare (didn't you hate how Obama called it that during the debate?) for three months while Romney gets the bipartisan support he promised.
2. Have Ryan head up a budget summit and come up with something that will not only pass the House and Senate but appeal to the grown-up citizens (i.e. no more free lunch!).
3. Get consensus on troop presence in Afghanistan, beef up security at our embassies, and let Iran know there's a new sheriff in town.
May '10
Re: Some Context for the Debates
If Mitt wins, I believe he'll get a Republican senate.
Jul '10
Re: Some Context for the Debates
It would be a truth that no act that is unilaterally foisted upon the nation is likely to survive. Some degree of "bipartisanship" needs to exist. It is also true that the President can't do a lot to create jobs - but he can do worlds to destroy them. Or, contrarily, he can insure that government doesn't get in the way of private citizens creating wealth - which translates into economy and jobs.
The concept that "rich people" sit around with large safes full of gold, greenbacks, etc. - which the government only needs to tax to obtain economic success - is only applicable to drug cartels, from whence the left may actually get all their views on a number of things.
Oct '10
Re: Some Context for the Debates
If this Presidency* has taught me anything it is that we live in a post-Constitutional age. The forces of truth and justice must be prepared to use all means at their disposal, fair or foul, to save the Republic.(* Or am I thinking of the Star Wars prequels?)
Mar '11
Re: Some Context for the Debates
Despite the endless obsessing over the Presidential contest this past year that has always been the case. Whether we can succeed in gaining a conservative Congress, not Republican but conservative, this election cycle is what will determine the future of the Republic. Electing Romney simply insures that the office of the Presidency will not be used to sabotage needed efforts to kill ObamaCare, tame our out of control budget deficit and restore the Constitution to its' proper prominence.
Oct '12
Re: Some Context for the Debates
Good reminder, John. We need a clean sweep and need to stay focused on that objective.
Mar '11
Re: Some Context for the Debates
I see it the other way around: Mitt Romney did a good job laying out an agenda many Democrats could get on board with (after some requisite arm-twisting).
Especially on the issue of tax reform, Romney essentially presented a centrist, bi-partisan tax plan (a la Simpson-Bowles) with a slight conservative spin. Lowering marginal rates while eliminating deductions could probably be sold to a Democratic Congress with a few small concessions, given Romney has command of the bully pulpit as well.
No matter what happens in November, Republicans will not have 60 seats in the Senate, and even then major tax reform will not happen without a modicum of bipartisanship. I can't think of any candidate since Clinton with as much potential for reaching a compromise than Romney.
Jan '12
Re: Some Context for the Debates
Roberto
Despite the endless obsessing over the Presidential contest this past year that has always been the case. Whether we can succeed in gaining a conservative Congress, not Republicanbut conservative, this election cycle is what will determine the future of the Republic. Electing Romney simply insures that the office of the Presidency will not be used to sabotage needed efforts to kill ObamaCare, tame our out of control budget deficit and restore the Constitution to its' proper prominence. · 21 minutes ago
This is what Sen. DeMint is so passionate about! The Senate Conservatives Fund is the only political entity that I will give to.
Aug '10
Re: Some Context for the Debates
I think it's unreasonable to think that Romney won't have substantial coattails - especially if he wins by 4-5 pts.
Romney is very adept at finding common ground with his opponents without compromising his principles. You could see this attitude in the debate where he was conciliatory but did not back down. He won't be looking to score cheap political points with the other side which will make him more effective.
Dec '11
Re: Some Context for the Debates
An excellent argument indeed for securing the positions of Senators Rob Portman and Marco Rubio.
Mar '11
Re: Some Context for the Debates
Barbara Kidder
This is what Sen. DeMint is so passionate about! The Senate Conservatives Fund is the only political entity that I will give to. · 3 hours ago
I could not be in stronger agreement Ms. Kidder. Senator DeMint is irreplaceable in that regard and we desperately need more like him.
For all who still have some to spare consider this: Romney has no shortage of funds and donors, yet conservatives attempting to take the Senate lack that high profile and where a donation to Romney will be a drop in an ocean for these other candidates it could make all the difference.
The Senate Conservatives Fund
Oct '12
Re: Some Context for the Debates
are you ready for the next big debate? the one on oct 6? bill o'reilly vs jon stewart!