Michael Goldfarb, McCain's Newest Official, Says President Has "Near Dictatorial Powers"

Bill Kristol today proudly announces that one of his Weekly Standard staff members, Michael Goldfarb, was just named the Deputy Communications Director of the McCain campaign. Last April, this newest McCain official participated in a conference call with former Senator George Mitchell, during which Mitchell advocated a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Afterwards, this is what Goldfarb wrote about what he thinks are the powers the President possesses in our country:

Mitchell's less than persuasive answer [to whether withdrawal timetables "somehow infringe on the president's powers as commander in chief?"]: "Congress is a coequal branch of government...the framers did not want to have one branch in charge of the government."

True enough, but they sought an energetic executive with near dictatorial power in pursuing foreign policy and war. So no, the Constitution does not put Congress on an equal footing with the executive in matters of national security.

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Comments

[thegreatgiginthesky]

This is the neo-con wet dream.

[PATina]

This is very scary. I hope all of the Clinton supporters who plan on voting for McCain in November read this article.

[lynnn]

The hell he does !

[AurigaRa]

courtesy of Cheney, Bush et al.

Lets see if our new president has the courage and intelligence to normalize things.
And then of course we have to have a congress with the cojones and morals to do what they need to do - step up to the plate.

We are so totally screwed.

[likeicare]

Well, duhhh, thanks to Dick Cheney's machinations, he (the prez) does have dictatorial powers.

Last year an executive order was signed which stipulated that in the event of a national emergency -- to be determined as such by the prez, himself, no less -- the executive branch of the government has the authority to assume the powers of the other two branches.

How convenient -- especially if you want to, say, invade Iran, and Congress digs in its heels and says, "NO!"

The prez (Dick Cheney) foments a little skirmish in the waters off the Iranian coast, rattles his saber, and invokes the order to abolish the Legislative and Judicial branches. Whacha gonna do? Revolt?

Not so fast -- he's got Blackwater troops positioned to put down any domestic anger or violence.

I can hear it all now. Fox News will come out with some soothing little blurb about how it's all just a coup d'etat -- everyone go about your business -- shopping -- and don't worry. It's all taken care of.

[kissmygrits]

holy crap.

[haleywins]

McCain? Bush? No difference.

[PrdAmerican]

Jesus christ on a stick. This is WHY the democrats need to stop the in-fighting and go after the siamese twin of BUSH.

[Lemeritus]

Amen! And, again, amen!

[CindyM2008]

Add a few more "amens" from me!

[PATina]

Now that is very scary !!!! I hope all of the Clinton supporters who plan on voting for McCain in November read this entire piece.

[jhNY]

You've posted this twice with no takers. Maybe that's because, momentarily ruffled feathers aside, nearly all Clinton supporters are democrats through and through, and won't vote for McSame in the Fall no matter what.

[08timefortruth]

No wonder Bush and company acted like wanna be dictators all this time....repubs think president=dictator and screw the idea of democracy or government by and for the people......Is this really what our forefathers meant? I hope not!

[noneIn2008]

Read the specific names. The neocons are in full control of the McCain campaign. Can you say, Napoleon.

[bhrandon]

nice bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb iran!

[CindyKay]

Hey Michael Goldfarb !

Bite Me !

[MizLiz]

He's just now realizing that?