Candidates Vow Not To Use Signing Statements To Ignore Law

George Bush has used signing statements as a means to disobey laws and expand the powers of executive branch. Earlier this year Ron Paul stated that if elected he would not use signing statements and has written about how they erode the Constitutional balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Chris Dodd has called signing statements “antithetical to our Constitution.” Two additional candidates have made similar pledges this week. John McCain denounced the use of signing statements while campaigning in Nashua, vowing not to use them if elected. McCain’s concern over the abuse of signing statements likely stems from Bush’s use of signing statements following the passage of anti-torture legislation he sponsored. Bill Richardson quickly responded to McCain’s pledge stating, “I will eliminate them.” Will there be a show of hands on this issue at the next debates?

2 Comments

  1. 1
    Americaneocon says:

    Happy Thanksgiving over here. Tomorrow’s a blogging truce, so enjoy the day!

  2. 2
    Ron Chusid says:

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    My Thanksgiving post is scheduled to go up shortly after midnight. Unfortunately a neocon probably won’t see it as part of a blogging truce.

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