Obama: Hey, let’s bypass the Senate on treaty ratifications
posted at 2:40 pm on July 5, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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After listening to the Democrats screech for the last two years about the rule of law, this Jake Tapper report should be surprising …. but it’s not. Apparently, Barack Obama finds treaty ratification a little too complicated, and so he figures he can just commit the US to nuclear disarmament and bypass Congressional oversight:
With the clock running out on a new US-Russian arms treaty before the previous Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, expires on December 5, a senior White House official said Sunday said that the difficulty of the task might mean temporarily bypassing the Senate’s constitutional role in ratifying treaties by enforcing certain aspects of a new deal on an executive levels and a “provisional basis” until the Senate ratifies the treaty.
“The most ideal situation would be to finish it in time that it could be submitted to the Senate so that it can be ratified,” said White House Coordinator for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Security and Arms Control Gary Samore. “If we’re not able to do that, we’ll have to look at arrangements to continue some of the inspection provisions, keep them enforced in a provisional basis, while the Senate considers the treaty.”
Samore said administration lawyers are exploring the “different options that are available. One option is that both sides could agree to continue the inspections by executive agreement; that would work on our side. On the Russian side, as I understand it, that would require Duma approval.”
The fact that the administration is preparing for such an extraordinary measure shows just how much pressure the two administrations are under to arrive at an agreement before the 18-year-old treaty expires.
Uh, pardon me, but how many seats in the Senate does Obama’s party hold? Isn’t it 60? If Obama is simply moving forward with a straightforward, supportable treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear stockpiles in an effective verification system, why couldn’t he get a quick ratification? The GOP gave George H. W. Bush enough support in 1991 to pass the original START treaty, so it’s not as if ratification would be impossibly complicated.
Well, that is, if the deal actually does put in place an effective verification system and doesn’t amount to a de facto unilateral disarmament. With exactly five months to win Senate approval, the effort by the Obama White House in floating this idea now makes it sound like Obama wants to give away the store in order to score some points with his 1980s no-nukes agenda. And as much as the Democrats howled over the supposed devotion of George Bush to a “unitary executive,” Obama seems to have no trouble bypassing the check on executive power for treaty negotiation written explicitly into the Constitution, in Article II, Section 2:
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;
Words. Just words.
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WTF ?????
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Like in Vietnam. Deja vu all over again and then some.
H.R. McMaster’s wrote “Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam.” for them and they have leaned nothing!
“The book assembled a damning case against senior military leaders for failing to speak their minds when, in the early years of the war, they disagreed with Pentagon policies. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, knowing that Johnson and McNamara wanted uncritical support rather than honest advice, and eager to protect their careers, went along with official lies and a split-the-difference strategy of gradual escalation that none of them thought could work. “Dereliction of Duty” won McMaster wide praise, and its candor inspired an ardent following among post-Vietnam officers.”
If those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it, then H.R. McMaster has done the Pentagon and the nation a favor. He has good advise for readers, especially high ranking military ones. Like all good history books, it unlocks the past and guides an understanding of the present.
- Ernest Blazar
Red hot. Brilliantly shows how the American people were conned.
- Col Davis Hackworth U.S. Army (retired)
It’s stunning. Go get Dereliction of Duty, a blistering and scholarly expose.
- Rush Limbaugh
Maybe H.R. McMaster, now Brigadier General H.R. McMaster, will resign, if he remembers his own book anyway.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Chavez is touting the fact that Zelaya took off from Washington as proof that he’s on the right side. The US is now the evil empire.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Were you really expecting something else? Obama loves dictators. He wants to be one.
Daggett on July 5, 2009 at 7:50 PM
This particular issue is an example of where Palin can thump some heads and give this more legs than it is getting. I hope it keeps festering till she is officially resigned.
a capella on July 5, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Amos–get ur own blog. Get ur own newspaper. You and a handful of others are the only ones doing shit. Thank YOU!!!
Now Chavez is going on with all this revolutionary crap.
Does anyone know what Chavez just said about Obama????
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 7:51 PM
It might make Honduras’ plight more difficult but I hope he was cut off permanently. If so, I only wish it had happened on the 4th.
If I were president right now, I’d cut Chavez’s speech short, too.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 7:51 PM
I believe he said that Obama is behind them.
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Chavez calls 5 July “historic day” for world. Calls Zelaya brave. They are counting on Obama to further erode the American empire. Denounces Israel.
Says Obama is a prisoner of the empire. LOL! He says Obama is on the level but US is the enemy of the planet….(square that circle)
Wants Obama to denouce Israel and Honduras….right now the…hang on..wants Obama to stop supporting the Honduran junta…wants all countries to throw off the yoke of the Yankee imperialists…wants all people to help overthrow the yoke…
class struggle…talking about Marx….dominate media…take down the media…take down the Oligarchy…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 7:52 PM
He’s giving a Fidel Castro diatribe, complete with references to Yankees, class struggle, Karl marx. This fu&&king commie bastard is OUR ALLY!!
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 7:53 PM
What I’m seeing happen now, I didn’t think possible.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 7:54 PM
They could say they thought it was a drug smuggling plane.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 7:54 PM
http://www.livestation.com/channels/3-al_jazeera_english
This is an Al-Jazeera live feed—yes, same caveat as the last one… gain of salt.
But they’re doing live translations of Hugo Chavez, supposedly.
Enoxo on July 5, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Now I know for sure that we will be going to war here at home. I think a line has been crossed.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Chavez: “This is Beginning of an offensive against the “Oligarchs” throughout latin america’ He and the “soldiers of the people” will break the oligarchs in the entire hemisphere….will not allow military anywhere to dominate…denounces Honduran military blah blah grotesque…calls them an occupying force in Hondruas.
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 7:55 PM
This is Obama’s proxy spokesman for the coup since he couldn’t attend.
econavenger on July 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Only now, it’s actually true.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 7:56 PM
When is it going to be too late to challenge this guy Oboma?
I read the news online and I have to wonder, seriously, who the dictators are. How do we stop this full court press for one-man power?
I’m just an old Marine who takes orders; only in the heat of battle did I have to make life/death decisions.
I am looking for leadership and a plan. It is not a laughing, joking matter anymore from my vantage point.
jarhead0311 on July 5, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Zelaya is back on says he is in Managua Nicaragua say “Honduran repressive regime” must go down…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Zelaya’s plane is soon landing in Managua I think.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Zelaya says since he is in Manaagua he will attempt to come back to Honduras via helicopter.
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Pray for an earthquake in managua, Caracas, and moscow.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:02 PM
I think a line has been crossed too, and I’d agree with you except that most American’s aren’t paying attention and seem to be buying the propaganda.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:02 PM
tomorrow?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:03 PM
I do hear what you are saying, but I believe that would be a case of “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Good intentions on your part, not on the part of those guilty of dereliction of duty.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I am looking for leadership and a plan. It is not a laughing, joking matter anymore from my vantage point.
jarhead0311 on July 5, 2009 at 7:58 PM
You are not alone here.Semper-Fi
fourdeucer on July 5, 2009 at 8:05 PM
He hasn’t said yet…taking about right to protest and right to strike…
Says Chavez and He agree that entire “security” of Central America is in jeopardy due to these acts.
Says the “people’s reforms are in danger…talks about the right and the fascists.
Says that Obama is on his side and he will soon face problems with the “right in his country like in Honduras holy shit can’t believe he just said that…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Well maybe he read that Dept of Homeland Security breif ?
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 8:07 PM
HOLY CRAP!
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Hey Obama, you know what looks good this time of year? Yeah.
- The Cat
MirCat on July 5, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Where are our good men tonight? Where are our leaders tonight?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Calls the “right” reactionary and the enemy says they often find comfort from the military and humanity must rise up against the “right”
calls for new social order
new economic order.
says that what has happened to him in Honduras can happen to “any Nation”
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:09 PM
It is a feeling quite similar to watching a 3 year old playing with dynamite and blasting caps with no adults in charge.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:10 PM
The left is in open war against all (just like the muslims they are so fond of). This is just going to have to play out and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. The blood will flow.
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:11 PM
The collective left, the UN, Putin, etc. are sending YOU and ME a message by this.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Calls for non violence. He is pacifisct..wants to talk…says the Honduran government has taken different tack…says Honduras is now a Hell..and God will punish them soon….
2 dead in Tegucigalpa…
Blame Honduran Special Forces for the killings…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Maybe they’re watching Fox News, in which case they probably have no idea what’s going on here. Maybe they’re anxiously awaiting the end of the commercial break so they can find out the latest on Micheal Jackson or that ex-football player.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Chavez and Zelaya just declared the war. Putin and Obama, UN chief, Fidel and others are in on it.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Says Honduran government will not be allowed to govern
denounces the “church” says they are calling for violence
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Be careful of US gov’t. They’re no longer what you have always thought them to be.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:13 PM
I believe that at this time both of those guys are still dead.
thomasaur on July 5, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Yep. I wish there were something that could be done about it, but we seem to be locked into this path.
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Without visible leaders, without a plan.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I have to go sniff Hoppes #9, it’s getting to me again. Goodnight all and thanks for all the good information.
fourdeucer on July 5, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Lol Zelaya says Honduran Military should “repress” the “right” instead of the “people”. Says they will be held accountable in international bodies…calls for international prosecution of military…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:18 PM
There was a time when I might actually have voted for him, about a 2 week period when I was especially pissed off at McCoot. Maybe in August or September? And then another few days after McCoot seemed so silly “suspending his campaign” to dash back to DC to be one of a 100 senators to work for passing porkosaurus. I ended up voting “protest” third party. Although I all along had serious doubts about Obama, I never dreamed in my worst nightmares that he would turn out to be so much like Adolf Hitler.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:18 PM
I don’t know… I was wondering earlier if Jackson’s death is all an elaborate ruse and he will rise from his coffin at his stadium funeral and give the greatest performance of his life. If so, I say we put him back in the box and bury him anyway.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:18 PM
LOL. Now I’d pay to see that … with your ending.
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Zelaya says his supporters are all “armed” but he told them to leave weapons at home but that he is “rethinking” it.
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:19 PM
tks for the translations. I apprec. it. It’s all shocking, at least our part in it.
What’s all the shooting??
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Our Founders tried to warn us about this, but no one was listening.
Hey Ed, this one’s for you, since you haven’t seen it the other thousand times I’ve posted it:
Democracy is the most vile form of government… democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention: have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property: and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.
– James Madison
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Elduende–Do you know if there’s any truth to the accusation that Chavez and Zelaya were in drug business together? Are you Honduran?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:23 PM
I’m not sure what the “shooting” is…the images don’t conform to the sound though…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:23 PM
I’m confused a bit by that. We’re not a pure democracy, but we have universal suffrage. Is it the second part you’re commenting on?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:26 PM
+1
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Born and raised in NYC. So not Honduran (do have fam in San Pedro Sula). My fam is Colombian.
rumors of chavez and drug trade are many…mainly cause of his support for FARC…I know Cubans have been selling access to the cartels for many years….these leftist governments operate with impunity, cocaine and heroin trade are too lucrative to expect them to stay out of it…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:27 PM
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Pardon me, where are you listening to all of this? I would like to do the same.
Coastal Paradise on July 5, 2009 at 8:28 PM
http://www.journal-post.com/forum/video/677-telesur-live-video-stream.html
It’s in Spanish, though, and it’s Chavez’s propaganda channel.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Telesur – Venezuelan State TV – Chavez propaganda channel
http://www.journal-post.com/forum/video/677-telesur-live-video-stream.html
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I was commenting on how Ed and the rest of them keep screaming about “Democracy”, as with the blurb on this post and the comments about “Democracy” that too many of the punditry are making about Honduras. That’s the tack that The Precedent is taking, since he wants to be able to use referenda to get around the Constitution, and most of the pundits are falling for it.
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Jeremiah Wright?
Nothing tipped you off?
[don't worry, I'm not ripping you...I swear. A lot of good ppl did what you did and thought what you thought. For some reason I guess I just sort of knew this guy was trouble from jump, and I knew I wasn't alone but that this shit was a juggernaut of epic proportions].
I’m going to bed. Idk if I want to know what happens tonight.
bluelightbrigade on July 5, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Medvedev and Putin are going to go through Obama like zakuski after vodka…and, in the meantime, Honduras will disappear from our screens with all the adulation of Jacko scheduled for this week….so much for our vaunted MSM.
More on Honduras here, Blogging from Tegucigalpa.
Dropped a letter to my Congressman on Friday…basically, if we do not stand with Honduras, then what is the point of standing with anyone?
We are so very close to having the same set of standards that are pushing to have Zelaya returned fully back to power in Honduras being used here…as Obama tries to be friends with all the world, he fails to see that not all the world wants to be friends with us. Do we actually believe that Chavez, Putin, Medvedev, the Mullahs in Iran, et al., have our best interests at heart?
Apparently our novice President does.
That should scare the bejeezus out of all Americans.
coldwarrior on July 5, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Shame can be a very powerful motivator and I am trying my damndest to shame any Republican or military leaders who might by some off chance be reading Hotair into at least pondering whether it is their duty to do something.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Gracias, hombre. Apprendo la idioma, mas o menos, para eschuchar a la radio aqui en Nueva York (93.1 Amor :) y con la assistencia de me gran amigo, Don Francisco. En otra palabras, entiendo Spanglish.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:32 PM
And I attempt to use ridicule. It’s also powerful, and I attempt to ridicule Obama at every chance. I’m too old to get into military–and wouldn’t want to be in his military anyway.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Are you guys listening to this crap on AJ? The dude is saying that this is all America’s fault. I know it is AJ, but he is saying these are US trained soldiers and US made guns. LMAO!
My favorite Zelaya line was he would parachute in if he could.
My next fav was he was urging the pilot to land but the pilot refused because he thought it was too dangerous.
I think we also need some updates on Israeli sub status.
freeus on July 5, 2009 at 8:34 PM
If all the garbage this administration is doing is shall we say illegal, is there nothing that can be done? Do courts have no say in any of this? Like many have said – the constitution and laws we have are being tossed aside and nobody says anything….WTF?
TheVer on July 5, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Al Jazeera is translating, too.
Enoxo on July 5, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I think Obama believes his interests do coincide with the others you mentioned. I think the few real allies we used to have must be very worried tonight.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Yes, Herr Obama has now crossed the Rubicon for me to.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:36 PM
good.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:37 PM
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Thank you so much. ++
Coastal Paradise on July 5, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Ditto for me. I would still scrifice in any way necessary if it would leave our country a better place.
HoustonRight on July 5, 2009 at 8:39 PM
That’s probably true. Honduras and the US have been allies since the 80’s when we fought communists together. They have troops in Iraq, too.
FloatingRock on July 5, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Oh sorry, didnt’ see this. It was elduende’s spanish audio/video. Very sorry.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Actually I got better look at the shooting it was the military but looks like they were shooting over the heads of the demonstrators…
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Before the year is out, Poland and the Czech republic will be under Russian hegemony again, as will the Baltic nations, and Georgia. Obama will give the Russians the go-ahead, either intentionally or by showing the Russians he has nothing to stand on, other than he “personality.”
Honduras? Will be yet another Latin American dictatorship. Across the world, hopeful nations will see their hopes dashed and wannabe dictators and despots will see they have a friend in
JesusObama.“What a friend we have in Obama.
Christ, Almighty,
What a pal.”
Will be the newest gospel tune being sung by despots and dictators the world over.
coldwarrior on July 5, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Don’t forget Ukraine.
Looking that way.
And what about us, the opposition here at home?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:44 PM
I posted more info on Israeli sub in that other Iranian thread. It is a nuke armed sub.
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 8:45 PM
I don’t doubt that Obama is going to sell out NATO expansion but look toward Georgia and Ukraine first. The Poles and the Czechs however will not go “quietly”.
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:46 PM
What is notable is that Egypt permitted passage through the Suez in broad daylight.
coldwarrior on July 5, 2009 at 8:46 PM
And on the surface.
I wonder who is going to refuel it hmm….
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I knew my good friend Adolf Hitler would not abandon me.
- Benito Mussolini
The only thing missing is an Otto Skorzeny (probably the greatest commando who ever lived) for Adolf Obama to save Benito Zelaya and that probably won’t be necessary.
MB4 on July 5, 2009 at 8:49 PM
With the slightest bit of support from us, they’d be safe. They’ll fall to Russia without us, but they’ll fight like hell. Germany will wake up again, (as will Japan due to NK situation)
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Que bueno que estas aprendiendo! 93.1 era una buena estacion en la ciudad.
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Another commenter thought it could go for 90 days. What are you hinting at?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Excuse me for asking, but when has Congress or the President cared what the Constitution says? The Enumerated Powers were deleted long ago, so why should people start caring now about this?
Send_Me on July 5, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Secession. It’s getting to be the only legal option left. We’ll see if talk about it breaks into the mainstream.
As far as I see it, there are only two events that can put the brakes on the junta in Washington – serious secession talk (not threats, but talk about desires to secede), or the Dow dropping back below 7000. Other than that, I don’t see anything stopping them … well, until the cities burn down, but by then it will be far too late.
progressoverpeace on July 5, 2009 at 8:51 PM
LOL. For old farts like me. It’s not reggeton!
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Ha. But cold warrior is one cool customer. I wondered what he’d say.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Considering most of the countries in the region are Arab isnt much chance of a port of call.
Just wondering if a western power would help.
William Amos on July 5, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Except that it’s not legal. I seem to recall a war that was fought awhile back that determined that. There are lots of legitimate concerns and issues to discuss about our present administration, but sedition isn’t one of them.
KSgop on July 5, 2009 at 8:54 PM
At sea replenishment. The Israelis have allegedly been doing this from commercial cargo carriers over the years.
The Isreali Dolphin-class, diesel-electric Harpoon capable sub, apparently has returned to the Med.
coldwarrior on July 5, 2009 at 8:55 PM
And I wondered if those missiles it carries can reach Iran from Israeli waters. I was told 1500 mile range. Well within range. Was it just for show? Do Israeli subs dock anywhere else but Israel?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:56 PM
those Dolphins have more than enough range to cruise into the persian gulf and come back especially if they use the Suez.
if not US support there are others…
but if worst comes to worst…
the Israelis no doubt have sub tenders that are not overt.
there is ZIM carrier, the Israeli container ship company, that I have no doubt can serve as impromptu sub tending in unfriendly waters….
elduende on July 5, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Glad that Israel is still a good guy.
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:56 PM
It’s only illegal b/c the North won and forced the southern states to rewrite their constitutions.
Just b/c it’s not legal doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done under any circumstance.
Just sayin’.
bluelightbrigade on July 5, 2009 at 8:57 PM
I think someone said 4500 miles. They would have to come back via Suez right? They can’t make it around Africa, could they?
JiangxiDad on July 5, 2009 at 8:58 PM
It would be difficult but Texas is the only
staterepublic that can legally do it.HoustonRight on July 5, 2009 at 8:59 PM
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