NEWS AND OPINION:
Well, here it comes. Reports from Fox News and other news organizations indicate that President Obama could stop deportations and inaugurate a 10-point plan to change the immigration system in a week. Many were expecting this to happen, but some are more upset over the news than others.
“This President has been floating the trial balloon on executive amnesty for a long time,” says Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican, who warns that a “Constitutional crisis” will follow.
“The President was right when he said on March 28, 2011, ’with respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order, that’s just not the case, because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed.’ And when he said, on May 10, 2011, ’sometimes when I talk to immigration advocates, they wish I could just bypass Congress and change the law myself. But that’s not how a democracy works.’ Well, now we know that his belief about ’how democracy works’ was a ploy. Now he wants to unilaterally rewrite immigration law granting illegal amnesty to millions,” Mr. King declares.
“The audacity of this president to think he can completely destroy the rule of law with the stroke of a pen is unfathomable to me. It is unconstitutional, it is cynical, and it violates the will of the American people. Our republic will not stand if we tolerate a president who is set upon the complete destruction of the rule of law. I am calling on all of my colleagues in the House to use the power of the purse to protect our Article I authority. This is about defending our oath to the Constitution too.” Mr. King concludes.
A LITTLE BIT OF CENSORING?
“Just imagine the reaction of the liberal media if a video had surfaced of a George W. Bush administration official admitting that ’lack of transparency’ was ’a huge political advantage’ in selling the Iraq war and that they relied on the ’stupidity of the American voter’ to launch an attack on Iraq? That video would be everywhere,” observes Newsbusters.com analyst Geoffrey Dickens.
SEE ALSO: Charles Rangel asks court to overturn House censure, blames racism and lack of due process
“However, the clip of ObamaCare architect Jonathan Gruber using those exact phrases in talking about the passage of the Affordable Care Act has yet to be reported on ABC or NBC’s evening or morning shows. The sum total of ABC, CBS, NBC network coverage was a 2 minute, 50 second segment on Thursday’s CBS This Morning — six days after the tape was first discovered. On the print side the Washington Post offered a front page story on Gruber on Thursday. But the Gruber comment has yet to show up in the pages of The New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times or even The Associated Press. Public broadcasting has been a no-show as well, with no Gruber mentions on PBS or NPR,” the analyst says.
CARSON’S CALLING
He’s got a political action committee, and thousands of fans. But Ben Carson’s White House intentions for 2016 are still unclear. “Do you want to be president?” veteran newsman Larry King asked the retired neurosurgeon.
“It was not on my bucket list as something that I really wanted to do, no. However, sometimes we’re thrust into situations that are not of our choosing. Maybe there is a responsibility that has been handed to you by your fellow citizens — and you certainly have to consider that very seriously. I’m not sure that any sane person would really want that job you know, considering what happens to everybody who goes that way. They look very old after a very short period of time. It’s very stressful. By the same token, you need to recognize that our nation is moving completely in the wrong direction,” Mr. Carson noted during his appearance Thursday evening on “Politicking,” Mr. King’s weekly talk show broadcast by Ora TV.
A PELOSI MOMENT
Sexism in Congress. Heavens. But that is what House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi suggested during her weekly session with the press Thursday, when journalists wondered whether her time in leadership was ebbing away.
SEE ALSO: John Boehner still House GOP’s choice for speaker
“I don’t understand why that question should even come up. It just is interesting how many times that question is asked of a woman and how many times that question is never asked of Mitch McConnell,” she said. “I don’t understand why that question should even come up. I’m here as long as my members want me to be here. I’m not here on a schedule. I’m not here for anything except a mission to get a job done.”
A McSALLY MOMENT
She was one of John Bolton’s designated “national security” candidates — and it’s taken her this long to find out if she won her midterm bout in Arizona. She has. With all votes finally tallied, retired Air Force Colonel and A-10 combat pilot Martha McSally has bested incumbent Democratic Rep. Ron Barber by 161 votes.
“Voters have made their choice,” she says. “After nearly three years, some $20 million dollars in ads, and two campaigns, it’s time to come together. It’s time to move from campaigning to governing and working together. While we still have a recount to go, we expect similar results and will provide the necessary oversight to ensure accurate results.”
WALKING TOWARDS A WALKER RUN
His fancy media critics call him boring — but his fans say that’s a primary attribute. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has been rediscovered by those with an eye on 2016.
“Has Walker promised sweeping changes and a utopia? Not exactly. But conservatives, let’s admit it, are prone to seeking the next Ronald Reagan, the savior who will rebuild a shining city on the hill and make conservatism anew. We shouldn’t do that. Even as it helps to have a candidate who can articulate a positive vision for the future, we shouldn’t forget that the plate has to have a steak on it in order to have sizzle,” points out Rich Cromwell, a senior contributor to The Federalist.
“Does Walker sizzle? Not exactly. Is he a particularly charismatic speaker? No, he isn’t. But does he sit upon a throne made of the skulls of his enemies? Yes, yes he does. The November 4 election proved that in a definitive fashion. And though we are a constitutional republic not given to men upon thrones, this particular throne deserves consideration for a national position,” Mr. Cromwell observes.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For Sale: “Ted Turner’s Private Island,” Beaufort County, South Carolina. St. Philips Island — a 4,680 acre private, protected sea island with subtropical forests, white beaches, marshes, ponds, complete docking facilities, trails, spectacular views. The 3,800-square-foot main family house belonging to the CNN founder has five bedrooms, five baths, large screened porch, extensive woodwork, dormer windows and a caretaker’s house. Completely self-sufficient energy supplies, solar panels, water tower. The island is located off the Atlantic coast near Hilton Head. Priced at $23.7 million through PlantationServicesInc.com, under the South Carolina property listing heading.
POLL DU JOUR
• 76 percent of Americans rate the quality of their Internet service as good to excellent.
• 68 percent are concerned that Federal Communications Commission control of the Internet would lead to attempts to control content or promote a political agenda.
• 61 percent say the Internet should be free of government regulations and censorship.
• 56 percent say free market competition is the “best protection” of the Internet.
• 26 percent say the FCC should regulate the Internet like it does radio and television.
• 19 percent say more government regulation is the best way to protect those who use the Internet.
Source: A Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 11-12.
• Complaints and caterwaul to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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