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Obama the candidate opposed the use of signing statements. http://technorati.com/politics/article/signing-statements-redux/ http://technorati.com/politics/arti

• aamar 15y ago
  It's important to note that Obama makes clear in both his campaign assertion and his official memo that he does not consider signing statements to be problematic in and of themselves. Rather, he argues, their use should be limited in scope and reach, clearly stating that President Bush went overboard. From Politifact's extensive discussion: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/516/no-signing-statements-nullify-instruction-congress/ http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/pr... Politifact consulted 5 experts, 4 of whom (at the time of consultation) felt he has kept his promise. Politifact itself has currently rated the promise as "compromise", meaning partial fulfillment.
  • protomyth 15y ago
    Politifact isn't exactly the beacon of truth it purports to be either: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politifact http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politifact - the SNL business was particularly odd
    • aamar 15y ago
      I agree that they've made errors, but they seem deserving of their fairly good reputation (not as high as, say, NYT).
      • protomyth 15y ago
        I would imagine the same people and groups that have problems with Politifact also have problems with NYT much like the other side has problems with the WSJ and Fox News.
• tomjen3 15y ago
  Sometimes I really wished they had elected that guy instead of the other Obama.
• stfu 15y ago
  The signing is pure politics. He has to pick his battles and by making a point on civil liberties and playing up to the libertarian crowd he is not going to win a vote. He is more likely going to "make a point" on social issues aka health care, welfare and so on - things that play well with his electorate.
  • crgt 15y ago
    "playing up to the libertarian crowd is not going to win a vote" It sells music: http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/30/news/kelly_clarkson_ron_paul/index.htm?iid=HP_LN http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/30/news/kelly_clarkson_ron_paul...
    • stfu 15y ago
      It does, but Obama's focus has been on social issues i.e. pushing for the healthcare bill at all cost but at the same time supporting the post 911 security machinery and paying only lipservice to civil liberties. Just imagine the outcry a Bush/Cheney government would have drawn by signing a "no trial for Americans" act and adding a "but I won't eat the cookie, promiiiiiise" reservation.