NEWS ABOUT: Executive Branch
Executive Branch stories: 5 news briefs
New justice will be key to defining prez limits
New York Times May 25, 09 4:53 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Most Supreme Court watchers say that Barack Obama's choice to succeed David Souter will change little, since the retiring justice was a reliable member of the court's liberal bloc. But on critical questions of presidential power, which Souter regularly sought to check, the new justice's vote could be crucial. Obama's top court candidates have wifely differing views about the role of the executive, reports the New York Times .
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Analysis
44 enjoys rare mix of crisis, popularity, and an office at its peak
Washington Post Jan 20, 09 8:42 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Barack Obama enters office today with a realistic shot of becoming one of the most powerful presidents in history, writes Barton Gellman in the Washington Post . Historians and officials in the outgoing and incoming administrations agree the presidency is already at or near an apex of power, and Obama’s popularity, combined with the many crises he faces, could push his authority yet higher.
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opinion
Its substance gave many fits, but VP's broad template got results
Huffington Post Nov 12, 08 4:51 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Barack Obama's “template” for exercising executive authority should draw from Dick Cheney, the most influential figure in the Bush administration, Steve Clemons writes in the Huffington Post. Cheney finessed followers “beholden to him” into positions throughout the vast intelligence and national-security bureaucracies, spreading his doctrine without needing “Rumsfeld-style ‘snow flake memos’” to explain what he wanted done.
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OPINION
Scrutiny on email deprives executive of key communications tool—though not Congress
Weekly Standard Jun 9, 08 4:28 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
The 44th president will almost certainly kick off his term by quitting email cold turkey, Jamie Sneider writes in the Weekly Standard . With executive-branch communication subject to public-disclosure law, President Bush hasn't send a single message, the former White House aide says—a coping mechanism that "fails to strike the right balance."
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Lawsuit calls on
Miers, Bolton to talk about fired prosecutors
Washington Post Mar 10, 08 6:40 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Lawmakers sued two top Bush aides today to make them testify about the sacking of federal prosecutors in 2006. The House Judiciary Committee suit seeks to enforce subpoenas against White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former Bush counsel Harriet Miers, who have refused to testify or supply subpoenaed papers. "We will not allow the administration to steamroll Congress," one lawmaker said.
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