Bachmann warns of 'dictator' Obama
(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said President Obama would be a "dictator" if he raised the debt ceiling by executive order, using the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution as justification.
"It's Congress that does the spending. The president is prohibited to do that. If he had the power to do that he would effectively be a dictator," the Minnesota Congresswoman said Thursday on CNN's "American Morning." "There would be no reason for Congress to even come to Washington, D.C. He would be making the spending decisions … Clearly that's unconstitutional."
With the looming August 2 deadline and no agreement reached to raise the debt ceiling, some have suggested the president sign an executive order to raise the borrowing limit without Congressional approval. A section of the 14th amendment states "the validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned."
Bachmann also leveled increased criticism on the president, giving him a "big 'f' on his economic report card."
"What President Obama has failed to do is properly understand the issues. On every measure this president has failed," Bachmann said.
From CNN Politics
- Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Minnesota elections
- Results are in: Best Balance Transfer card of 2022
- Here are the key House primaries to watch Tuesday
- DOJ requires officers to intervene if they see another use excessive force as part of broader reform effort
- Trial begins of alleged Nazi sympathizer who entered US Capitol on January 6
- More than 80 US senators commit to expedite approval of Sweden and Finland's NATO membership
It is human nature to judge other people's actions by what we, personally, would do in that same situation. We do this because our brain learns by association, by relating our own past experiences and knowledge.
So when we look at others and try to understand them, we naturally put ourselves into their shoes, which is 100% the totally wrong thing to do. So, when Bachmann tells us that Obama would be a dictator, what she is really telling us is what she would do given the same circumstances.
"It's Congress that does the spending. The president is prohibited to do that. If he had the power to do that he would effectively be a dictator," the Minnesota Congresswoman said Thursday.
OK... So, you spent it... now pay it.
A section of the 14th amendment states "the validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned."
Yes... Constitutionality... I like that.
"He would be making the spending decisions … Clearly that's unconstitutional."
No... He would be making the debt paying decision... Which we have already shown IS very constitutional.
"There would be no reason for Congress to even come to Washington, D.C. "
AH! Something we can agree on. I knew I could find common ground with even Michele Bachmann.
George Bush raised the debt ceiling 7 times. Anyone remember even a comment from Michelle Bachmann? The woman is a complete loon.
Her stupid election banner says she's a constitutionalist, she should be ok with it then, right? What a hypocrite! Ignorance is NOT bliss!
I don't think its Obama that's failed. Its nice to know the tea party is accepting this crisis on their shoulders.
Shame on them for putting America in this situation
From what I'm seeing from the GOP behavior, congresswoman, the dictator hat belongs there.
and why isn't she in Washington now –you know, governing, instead of all over the country campaigning.
What the Republicans have failed to do is to realize which Century they are in. You can call blue green if you like but the truth is it;s still blue.
"It's Congress that does the spending. The president is prohibited to do that"
CNN: please repeat this over and over when the republicans also accuse the president of running up the national deficit!!!!
BOOOOOO! It is Obama's DUTY to uphold the Constitution and protect the USA. This is something he MUST do, executive orders, to ensure our ailing economy doesn't go down the sh*tter. And then to declare that it is Congress' role to do the spending and give Obama an F on his economic report card is strictly mis-leading and opportunist.
I am patently offended that Bachmann equates POTUS doing his duty by Constitutional mandate with being a dictator. Also note that I am typically a Repub, not a Democrat. Neither am I an Obama-con. But I respect the man for putting himself and his family in this position and wearing the mantle of leadership during such troubled times. Do NOT call him a dictator for doing his job and protecting the USA.
Wow! A neo-fascist calling Obama a dictator! I don't know how you like your irony?
Bachman is using the 14th? The 14th is most ambiguous, unclear and subject to misinterpretation piece of writing I have ever read. Only the 2nd is almost as confusing. Since when is Bachman even remotely qualified ti use this confusing piece at all? is it because she had 105 foster children?
Obama please use the 14th amendment and lets move on...These people U are dealing with are clowns... It is crazy to me these guys would rather us go in default instead of working together on a issue... Obama U tried, the hate goes to deep....
Bachmann continues to stick her foot in the mouth. Keep talking nonsense and show everyone that you are not presidential material. Gov Perry hasn't even announced his candidacy and Bachmann has already dropped to third in the polls behind Romney and Perry.
She grades Obama an F when she thinks that the famous "shot hear round the world" happened in New Hampshire and that she can change John Wayne's birthplace and the list goes on & on! I have an idea Ms Bachman since you love taking pledges (including ones about African Americans being better off during slavery!), why not take a pledge that you won't say another stupid thing for life – this should prevent you from speaking ever again!
This political plush toy can't have it both ways- it's either the Presidents fault we do not have a deal or it's Congress's. One day she said he's not doing his job by coming up with the plan the next she says that's Congress's responsibility.
Oh Michelle- go home and try to figureout how to get more government money and shut up.
It would weaken the balance of power – making a thin excuse to ignore the law written by Congress, and then inviting the courts to strike it down – and Bill Clinton who floated this idea, was very clear about his logic – does tend to weaken our system of government and would accelerate the long standing trend of giving the President the majority of the power.
Dictator? Well yes, that is in fact, the trend – but most Americans aren't going to get that, when we finally have a dictator we'll still call him Mr. President.
Um, the converse is also true, Senator. If members of Congress,...such as yourself, continue to endanger the public debt and question it, by definition you are committing a violation of the Constitution. That is against your primary oath and is therefore treason. If you won't keep your current oath to the Constitution, what makes you think that the public will believe you trustworthy to fulfill the oath of President.
Get a clue and get back to work.
It's Congress that does the spending – but yet the National Debt is Obama's fault. Can we get a republican who doesn't need to make stuff up to gain political support
ooops, my bad, CongressWoman (Representative). Still the President is not the only one in danger of violating the public trust.
I'm kind of use to being ruled by a dictator. George W. Bush was my modern day dictator. What part of the Constitution did he not step on and trample.
So I guess she doesn't believe the Constitution
What Michelle Bachmann fails to realize-– Oops not enough room. Dems are PRAYING that she gets the Republican nomination. I'm not so sure as even a fraction of a percentage that someone so lacking would be elected President is too scary to think about. PRESIDENT BACHMANN makes me want to run for the Lomotil.
This woman is certifiably nuts or will say absolutely anything to get a vote. I'm willing to bet it's the latter. Now that we've established what she probably is, can we talk about price?
If President Obama has to invoke the 14th amendment it is NOT because he wants to rule or dictate. It is to keep America from the harm that prople like you are trying to do. Go ahead and do what you need to do Mr. President. My family suports you and will vote for you and Mr Biden.