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Obama's Kitchen Has Too Many Chefs

President's 32 czars an 'end-run' around Congress: Cantor

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 30, 2009 11:42 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama has broken his promise to restore the power of Congress “by appointing a virtual army of ‘czars,’” Republican Eric Cantor writes in the Washington Post. The administration now has at least 32 czars—more than Russia ever did—with each spearheading major policy initiatives. That’s an “end-run around the legislative branch of historic proportions,” the House minority whip contends, because the president's czars don’t need to be confirmed.

The constitution requires that all “principal officers” of the executive branch be approved by Congress. Well, the czars seem fairly principal. The recently deposed car czar managed the government auto takeover, and the pay czar controls the compensation at the top TARP recipients. It’s “not that President Obama’s reliance on czars is illegal,” Cantor writes. “It’s that we have no idea what they’re doing.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

In this photo provided by FOX News, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., appears on "Fox News Sunday" in Washington, Sunday, July 12, 2009. (AP Photo/FOX News Sunday, Freddie Lee)

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., left, looks on as House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Va. speaks during a news conference on Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009, on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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At last count, there were at least 32 active czars that we knew of, meaning the current administration has more czars than Imperial Russia. - Eric Cantor

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

SilenceDogood

Aug 3, 2009 11:10 AM CDT

We had one of the most Democratic Congresses in America’s history during the Bush administration. It was also known as one of the least productive and worthless Congress’s to sit. Its approval rating was abysmal. It was so bad and treacherous that some members were quoted to say they hoped the war would fail. So tell me about treason good sir, and I will point to obstructionist Democrats. There is a point were loyalty to party is outweighed by duty to country, and the Democratic Party is in sore need of this lesson. You rationalize behavior that if demonstrated by the Republican Party you would be the first to call foul play, physician heal thyself. I believe that Obama was the worst choice for our nation; not only do I have the right to dissent, I consider it my duty. Obama is a socialist leaning, group hugging, do nothing useless putz. He has about as much understanding about what this country need to succeed as Jimmy Carter, another of your parties greatest presidents. He is bankrupting our nation, he is destroying our currency, he is weighing down our future with debt, he is attempting to redistribute the wealth of our nation, but I still have hope that things will change.

Doctor-Zaius

Aug 2, 2009 3:20 AM CDT

Getting things done for the sake of the people over obstructionist goons in congress should be accomplished any way you can. Tell me the Republicans who obstruct any appointment Obama makes are not obstructing solely to try to gum up what he does so they can paint him as a do nothing president WHILE ALSO portraying him as trying to accomplish too much at once. This obstructionism is being done by Republicans solely for political reasons and it is treasonous.

SilenceDogood

Aug 1, 2009 10:40 AM CDT

So doctor zaius, checks and balances are to be circumvented if Obama is in charge, how would you feel if Bush did the same?

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Barack Obama • executive power • energy czar • Obama administration • Eric Cantor • President Obama • car czar • cyber czar • drug czar

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Obama's Kitchen Has Too Many Chefs