Posted on 01/29/2015 6:07:23 PM PST by SeekAndFind
We’ll start off the day with some video goodness for you. As previously noted, confirmation hearings for Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s nominee to replace Eric Holder, got underway this week. One of her inquisitors was Senator Ted Cruz (R – Tex) who had plenty of questions, many related to the performance of the current Attorney General and how her approach might differ, if at all. The conversation would, in my opinion, be described as polite and professional, while still being confrontational. This first section (which starts in the first couple of minutes in the video below) deals with the limits of discretion in prosecution.
With regard to the limits of executive power, Sen. Cruz asked, Let me ask about your understanding of prosecutorial discretion. Would it allow a subsequent president to state that there are other laws that the administration will not enforce – labor laws, environmental laws – would it allow a president to say every existing federal labor law shall heretofore not apply to the state of Texas because I am using my prosecutorial discretion to refuse to enforce those laws? In your judgment, would that be constitutional?
Nominee Lynch responded, Again, I would have to know what legal basis was being proposed for that.
Sen. Cruz continued, I find it remarkable that you are unable to answer that question. I can answer it straightforward. It would be patently unconstitutional for any subsequent president to refuse to enforce the tax laws, or the labor laws, or the immigration laws for the very same reason that President Obamas actions refusing to enforce immigration laws are unconstitutional. And it is discouraging that a nominee who hopes to serve as attorney general will not give a straightforward answer to that question.
Here’s that first video:
There was additional goodness, involving everything from drone strikes to free speech and whether or not the office of the Attorney General should act as an independent agent in upholding the constitution or as a political arm of the White House. Follow the next two links for the videos of those. Not much more to say here, other than noting that these are the distilled good bits from a long day on CSPAN. (Please note that these videos are not in chronological order.) Enjoy.
He voted for mc Connell to stay senate leader, that shows some lack of guts.
It will be easy to vote against her if he knows she will be confirmed easily, it would be interesting to know what the vote count is when he votes.
I was fooled by trey gowdy and mia love and I will not get fooled again. Words mean NOTHING, actions are what matter and SO FAR he has been good, but I will watch and not give credit for words.
He makes mo $$$$ than I do, its not fair.
Jeff Flake, AZ (R) and supposedly a “Tea Party” kind of guy, has said he has no reason to object to her. I’m betting both AZ GOP Senators will vote for her confirmation.
I fear your probably correct. WHY?
"We have a ONE PARTY system perpetrating a non-stop version of Kabuki theater (Japanese version of song & dance) on the American public."
His is becoming intolerable.
I hope he doesn't read this and come after me next, please don't tell him
Every convention the next RISING STAR is the young guy who gave a ‘great’ speech.
Rubio, the next ‘great conservative’ and he ends up being an establishment rino.
They all talk a good game and I will not be giving credit for good speeches.
Walker gave a great speech in Idaho and he has backed it up by his actions in WI. I will watch and make sure he doesn’t suddenly start growing a horn, just to get elected pres.
My own ‘rep’ now the #2—fits him- in the house talks conservative but is the 2nd biggest rino in the house. He is allowed to get away with it because the local RINO ‘machine’ crushes any real conservatives.
You know mc cain will vote for her, he is trying to destroy the Tea Party in AZ.
Talk is cheap, actions are what matter.
Problem is we TRUST these people and then are surprised when we are betrayed. It used to be that people had to earn someone’s trust, it needs to go back to being that way.
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