In a move that I have strongly recommended, Barack Obama appointed Rick Cordray, Elizabeth Warren’s choice, to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). He also appointed three new members to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Republicans have been obstructing all of those appointments, because they want neither consumers nor labor represented federally despite laws that provide for both. Republicans are furious!
President Obama threw a gauntlet before Congressional Republicans on Wednesday, defying deep opposition to appoint Richard Cordray as director of a new consumer protection agency in a move that ignited a possible legal challenge and Constitutional fight.
The decision to install Mr. Cordray without Senate approval under the Constitutional provision for making appointments when lawmakers are in recess was a provocative opening salvo in Mr. Obama’s re-election strategy of demonizing Congress.
The president, announcing his decision before a political rally-like crowd of 1,300 at a high school here in Mr. Cordray’s home town, seemed to welcome a contentious second session of the 112th Congress, in which any attempts at bipartisan compromise appear in danger of being lost in all-out election-year war.
“I refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer,” Mr. Obama said.
He said he had looked for opportunities to work with Congress. But, he said, “I am not going to not stand by while a minority in the Senate puts party ideology ahead of the people we were elected to serve.”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <NY Times>
The onslaught of republican whining was expected.
…The Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, accused Obama of an unprecedented power grab that "arrogantly circumvented the American people."
Added House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio: "It’s clear the president would rather trample our system of separation of powers than work with Republicans to move the country forward. This action goes beyond the president’s authority, and I expect the courts will find the appointment to be illegitimate."
It was unclear who might undertake a legal fight. But people familiar with the matter said an outside private group regulated by the consumer agency might be in the best legal position.
By going around the Senate, where Democrats hold an edge but Republicans can block action, Obama essentially declared that the chamber’s short off-and-on sessions are a sham intended to block him, but don’t prevent him from such an appointment…
Inserted from <AP/Google>
Let’s examine these bogus claims. How could Obama be circumventing the American people when the majority voted for Cordray’s confirmation? How could Obama be refusing to work with Republicans, when they have repeatedly stated that they will not confirm anyone to head the CFPB? They re not just whining, they are lying too, as Keith Olbermann and Policy Analyst Ian Mullhiser show.
The key is indeed that Republicans did not act in good faith.
And the Republicans have backed themselves into another corner. Their only alternative is to support a suit by financial predators against the American people.
Once again we see that there is a clear difference between the parties.
17 Responses to “Obama Appoints Cordray!”
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Cordray was replaced with Mike DeWino in Ohio, DeWino being the drunken, check-kiting Senator unseated by Sherrod Brown.
Perhaps our Klanbagger-inflicted loss will be a gain for all of us now.
I do hope so, JR.
You disagree but 4 rights do not overcome the 1 DAA signature. His 4 right moves are at best temporary and his heinous 1 wrong is now law. If he’s willing to fight for them outside the beltway he would have taken the fight over the DAA to the congress, sent it back and kept his word when he said he would not sign it with that particular odious section of rendition in it. He may say it does not compromise the rights of US citizens but he said it in a letter of objection and yet it still is the law. He turned or better yet said, he allowed Carl Levin and the rest of the congress turn our soil into a permanent war zone. I manage my consumption just fine but without the right of Habeus Corpus i won’t be able to manage shit if the fascists kick in the door and drag me or anyone away to never be heard from again.
This may be a settled issue in your mind Tom and yes I read your thoughts on it, the difference between us is you trust him. I don’t anymore. He may appear a master politician to you but to me it is more base and course than that…he will do whatever is politically expedient to hold onto as much Administrative power as possible and the reworded DAA gave him and every succeeding president more power.
Odd how now during an election cycle he shows a willingness to fight and the lead up to it all he showed was oratorical skill. Where were his cajones two years ago?
Mark, you misunderstand me. I do not trust him, but I am willing to give him credit where credit is due.
On the NDAA, I am fully opposed to it, because I believe that all people should receive equal treatment under our laws, not just US citizens. But I am also certain that it does not apply to US citizens, because I read the law. Yesterday I learned that the ACLU has the exact same take on it as I do, so I’m not alone in my understanding.
Sorry Tom I’m with TWM on this one – this was a good move to conciliate – and a notch in the cap of the guy on probation, but it by no means alleviates my mind! A law that can easily be a dictator’s wet dream is not the “law” of America!
You need to read the law yourself instead of reacting, Lee.
I was not surprised at all. Obama went out of his way, was and did lose alot by trying to show us that working together is the only way to work important issues. All the while the republians answer was NO NO NO NO. I am personally sad that the republains are so far gone with greed and power we have to resort to this. I say so what the republians are screming foul on Obama. With all there huffing and puffing and they are no more than a tick that Obama can flick them off his shoulder. Obama was never weak and always a leader. Now the republians will see and so will the rest of us. I am not sure this should be a time of celebrations or great sadness. Yes alot of democrats are cheering but are forgetting this was never about who can throw the best shot but how we can solve our problems together.
These recess appointments were, indeed, very good moves. While they may very well may be challenged in the Courts, the good news is that any ruling will most likely not come until well into 2013. And for future reference, here are two sites (both with their own internal Links) providing some legal background buttressing their legality:
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/03/396384/president-obama-reportedly-will-make-recess-appointments-today-or-tomorrow/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/time-for-a-warning-shot-on-appointments/2011/08/03/gIQAuJrPsI_blog.html
It’s nice to see that Obama is growing a spine, finally, in an election year.
Agreed. I hope it continues to stiffen.
That’s what Santorum said.
Somebody ought to superglue that goddam Boner’s mouth shut! What a hypocritical little crybaby!
Good firm move– I hope he keeps it up— saying he perhaps should have done it earlier- maybe ?.. But he gave them enough rope to hang all of them– proving the repigs are unwilling to work with him- to cooperate , compromise or get along- So he took charge— my understanding is the law gives plenty of room for our Leader to lead- he has done that–
Tom Cat — “Their only alternative is to support a suit by financial predators against the American people.”
Well wouldn’t that just put the Republican/Teabaggers at the bottom of a very deep well! Glug! Glug!! Let them stay there! And supporting a suit by financial predators against the American people will not look good on a Republican/Teabagger’s résumé.
Mr Obama said earlier that recess appointments were an option so the Republican/Teabaggers were aware. Additionally, by saying they wouldn’t confirm anyone in the CFPB directorship even though a majority voted for it, is clear evidence of obstruction and partisan politics. How John Boehner can say with a straight face that the Republican/Teabaggers have tried to work with the president, is pure. US Government Grade A bullshit!
So if Baby Bush made 171 recess appointments during his terms, and Reagan made over 243, and Teddy Roosevelt made 160 in one day, what is the issue with Mr Obama doing the same 29 times? Answer, he IS NOT A REPUBLICAN/TEABAGGER! and the Republican/Teabaggers have publically declared to make Mr Obama a one term president.
What happens if it goes to SCOTUS and the injustices? Is it possible to force deliberation before the election? With 5 Injustices, can the potential suit be railroaded through?
Whether this is a political move or a policy move — either way, it is right for the American people.
Great info on Keith Olbermann!
I’m tired of their whining. They should have been in session and then they couldn’t complain.
If he hadn’t done this the RepublicanTs would have stalled until the agency without a leader would cease to exist before it even got off the ground to protect comsumers.
Good for Obama! It’s about time he started defying them. And it’s not as if George W. Bush didn’t make tons of recess appointments!
Instead of answering everyone individually, I’m going to wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow’s lead article is an editorial on the constitutional issues involved. Thank you all.