In Year Six, President to “exercise his authority to the maximum extent.”

January 25th, 2014

For crying out loud, you mean years one through five were at less-than-maximum executive authority?

But perhaps more so than in any of his previous congressional addresses, Mr. Obama realizes that he has little chance of major legislative victories this year, with the possible exception of an overhaul of immigration law that Republicans are also making a priority. As a result, aides said, he will present a blueprint for “a year of action” on issues like income inequality and the environment that bypasses Congress and exercises his authority to the maximum extent.

This article in the Times mentions at least a dozen times things the President will do “without Congress.” If he doesn’t need Congress, why even bother with a speech. Just do it already and be done with it. Not like elections or separation of powers matter. That would cramp his style, and force him to have an “incredibly limited vision.”

“Pushing for a series of new initiatives when last year’s initiatives still need to get done is a challenge,” said Neera Tanden, president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress. “At the same time, he probably shouldn’t be limited to what the House of Representatives could pass, because that would be an incredibly limited vision.”

Pardon me, I’ll go back to prepping Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer for class.