Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

Obama Aide: A Strong President Doesn’t Check With Lawyers

We have seen in the Republican primary how candidates have engaged in a type of race to the bottom in embracing torture and suggesting that they would launch attacks against Iran and other countries. In this debate, the law and the Constitution are often dismissed as weak considerations for a strong president. Not to be outdone in such macho posturing, the Obama campaign has mocked Mitt Romney for even suggesting that he would consult with lawyers before launching attacks or taking critical actions. Stephanie Cutter, President Obama’s Deputy Campaign Manager, delivered the message on MSNBC that Obama was strong because he didn’t need no stinkin’ lawyers.

Cutter appeared on MSNBC to offer this analysis of Romney:

The most egregious falsehood would be the President’s position on Iran, whether it’s Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum, attacking the President for not being tough enough on Iran. Ask any foreign policy expert out there, we have the toughest sanctions in place today than we’ve had in decades thanks to this President.  . . . Now look at Mitt Romney. What he didn’t say on the stage tonight is that just four years ago, when asked the same question on Iran, he said he’d have to check with his lawyers. That does not make a Commander-in-Chief, somebody who has to check with his lawyers.

Of course, Obama has shown repeatedly that he has the “strength” to not only ignore lawyers, but ignore the law. On torture, he promised CIA officials that they would never be prosecuted despite his acknowledgment that waterboarding is torture — a war crime under controlling treaties. On Libya, he launched a war without achieving authorization from Congress. [For full disclosure, I represented the members challenging this war in federal court]. For areas ranging from privacy to detention, Obama has proven the type of strong leadership that Cutter describes. Her comments vividly illustrate that the White House has little concern for the objections by civil libertarians and will continue to model Obama on the image of George Bush — the strong leader who refuses to be weakened by lawyers.

Cutter’s comments should be condemned by the President but they will not be. It was not even challenged on MSNBC at the time or in later segments. After all, this election is only about “them” and not “us.” Moreover Cutter was reading from a script that has been followed since the very beginning of Obama’s term. The image of the strongman, so popular in places like Russia, has found a place in the United States. In this new paradigm, the law and the Constitution are synonymous with weakness. Even consulting with lawyers is an indication of a lack of character and strength.

By the way, Cutter is a lawyer (trained at Georgetown).

Glenn Greenwald has an excellent piece on the comments.

196 thoughts on “Obama Aide: A Strong President Doesn’t Check With Lawyers”

  2. DonS

    No contradiction. Just a few people like you and MESPO who can’t read or are just blinded by truth.

  4. mespo727272

    Are you pretending to be dumb or does it just come naturally. Come out of the world means do not act like the world. Don’t do as the world does (living sinfully) It has nothing to do with what you said above. Grow up and tell me if my plan would not get rid of the deficit and actually begin paying down our debt.

  5. I am recruiting for the next Ron Paul Ralley to be held in Minnesota. The last one held was very successful. Please give the only one with a conscious the chance.

  6. I think are should be is … the sentence structure is awkward … I wish Elaine was here

  8. SwM,

    I can’t go, but a large group from my book clubs are going, including several men.

  9. Blouise, I used to work for one of those health committees for a pro-choice ex catholic chair. His brother was the governor and pro-life. We drew the crowds and the media to those hearings.

  10. SwM,

    Continuing off topic: (We have to pay attention to what the Republican Mechanical Rape Party is doing at the state level)

    Got this email this morning:

    “During a time when the state legislature was scheduled to be in recess – when no committees or voting sessions were scheduled until March 13 – Rep. Lynn Wachtmann is calling his House Health and Aging Committee back to conduct a second hearing on HB 298, the bill to defund Planned Parenthood.

    The hearing, during which proponent testimony will be accepted, has been scheduled for next Tuesday, February 28 beginning at 9:30am in Room 116 of the Statehouse.

    If you can, please plan to join us at the Statehouse that morning to let Rep. Wachtmann and the committee members know that we are watching them and will hold them accountable for their ongoing War on Women.

    The sponsors of HB 298 claim that this “legislation…will defund entities that perform abortions or maintain or operate a facility where abortions are performed. Planned Parenthood in Ohio serves as a prime example of such an entity.”

    Defunding Planned Parenthood in Ohio would impact the delivery of critical health care services to nearly 100,000 people, most of them low-income.”

  14. ” a living contradiction aren’t you?”

    “He’s a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction
    Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home” (KK)

  16. Bloiuse, Stephanie Cutter is deputy campaign manager. No one said that she is ” low level lackey”.

  18. Jim:

    “I will definately not have a deficit and at the same time will be paying down the national debt.”

    ***************************

    I thought you just told us, “The Bible says to come ye out of the world and be separate and that strait and narrow is the way to heaven.” So which is it Jim? Are you in the world and our next leader or separate from the world and on your way to Heaven? I am hoping for the latter but your blubbering tells me you want the former. You’re just a living contradiction aren’t you? Then again so is much of what you say you believe.

  19. Jill

    The reason Obama does what he does is because he knows most Americans are flat out dumb when it comes to politics. Most go to vote and have no idea who to vote for so they ask a friend and do what they say.

  20. Mike Spindell

    You may not vote for me.but I will definately not have a deficit and at the same time will be paying down the national debt.

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