Abuse of Power

[Gaspar]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/25/federal-court-obama-broke-law-recess-appointments/

"In a case freighted with major constitutional implications, a federal appeals court on Friday overturned President Obama's controversial recess appointments from last year, ruling he abused his powers and acted when the Senate was not actually in a recess.
The three-judge panel's ruling is a major blow to Mr. Obama. The judges ruled that the appointments Mr. Obama made to the National Labor Relations Board are illegal, and the board no longer has a quorum to operate."

But then again, we knew this.

[Gaspar]

I guess no one understands what would make the president think he has such power.

Perhaps there is one who would understand?

"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

[nathanm]

I believe the Constitution provides a pretty good argument that recess appointments are constitutional. I doubt its authors ever considered Congress leaving a janitor around to pretend the body wasn't recessed for the holidays. Of course, I also doubt they considered Congress refusing to even consider nominees because they didn't think the over half a century old position should exist.

I think it's funny how you have plenty to say about Obama's "abuse of power," but have nothing to say about Congress abusing its own power.

[cannon_fodder]

Parliamentary procedure is technical and under the control of Congress, not the president.  If the recess appointment rule was not met, so be it.  A sad example of both sides gaming the system.

Objections to appointments, for both sides, are not based on merit but are now based on ideology.  The resulting fray is tragic for many leadership positions and crippling to many agencies. Congress is broken (again, I'm guessing democrats would be equally bad if desperate).