Ezra Klein: Cheney's Role

[illinoisprogressive]

Ezra, is correct in saying that it is not impeaching Bush that is the most pressing but, neutralizing Cheney. Cheney is without doubt one of the most dangerous men in the world and he is the power of the USA. He needs to be put on ice until Jan. 2009.



Part of the reason that neutralizing Cheney is a more pressing imperative than taking out Bush is that on the two most dangerous policy areas that this administration can pursue largely outside of congressional authority -- the arrogation of power to the executive, and war with Iran -- the most extreme views continue to emanate out of Cheney's office. In the New York Times today, historian Sean Wilentz recalls the roots of Cheney's adoration of centralized presidential authority, and how it came out during the Iran-Contra debate:

Mr. Cheney the congressman believed that Congress had usurped executive prerogatives. He saw the Iran-contra investigation not as an effort to get to the bottom of possible abuses of power but as a power play by Congressional Democrats to seize duties and responsibilities that constitutionally belonged to the president.

snip

This is exactly how Cheney approaches the Bush presidency. And he does so from a position of enormous influence. Folks forget that Bush's template for governance was Texas, where the governor is the fifth most powerful position, and largely defers to the Lt. governor, who actually runs the show. In Cheney, Bush found a trusted, steadying hand who he could delegate much of the actual micro work to, just as he did to Bob Bullock when he was governor. It's the same set-up he had in Texas, and it means Cheney is virtually controlling this presidency. Impeach Bush, and you just make it official.

http://ezraklein.typepad.com/

[aquart]

1. I'd really like to know why that sick man is still alive.

And did he sign the deal in his own blood or use someone else's?

[burythehatchet]

3. he has a freezer full of the beating hearts of his victims

[Elspeth]

2. Is Bush really accustomed to defering to a powerful second?

"...the governor is the fifth most powerful position, and largely defers to the Lt. governor, who actually runs the show..."