Podesta: Obama Can Use ‘Armed Forces’ to Push Progressive Agenda

John Podesta, the head of a left-leaning think tank who ran the Obama transition team.

Podesta: Obama Can Use ‘Armed Forces’ to Push Progressive Agenda
The Blaze
The liberal Center for American Progress doesn’t believe significant GOP gains in the House and Senate should stop the President from implementing more of his polices. The group released a report Tuesday suggesting ways Obama can bypass Congress to accomplish a progressive agenda, and it cites the president’s power as commander-in-chief to make its point.

“I think most of the conversation since the election has been about how President Obama adjusts to the new situation on Capitol Hill,” Center for American Progress head and former Bill Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta told the Daily Caller. “While that’s an important conversation, it simply ignores the president’s ability to use all levels of his power and authority to move the country forward.”

How does one “move the country forward”? In the center’s report, Podesta explains that Obama can use executive orders, rulemaking, and even the armed forces “to accomplish important change” and that such means “should not be underestimated.”

What exactly does Podesta think the president should use such powers to “accomplish”? Among others, the report suggests “job creation,“ ”quality affordable health care,“ ”sustainable security,“ and ”a clean energy future.”
The report cites specific goals such as mitigating the effects of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, supporting a Palestinian state, and reducing greenhouse gasses by 17 percent by 2020.

“The U.S. Constitution and the laws of our nation grant the president significant authority to make and implement policy,” Podesta writes. ”Congressional gridlock does not mean the federal government stands still.”

The Center for American Progress is funded by liberal billionaire financier George Soros.
Center for American Progress
Statement from John D. Podesta November 15, 2010

In the aftermath of this month’s midterm congressional elections, pundits and politicians across the ideological spectrum are focusing on how difficult it will be for President Barack Obama to advance his policy priorities through Congress. Predictions of stalemate abound. And some debate whether the administration should tack to the left or to the center and compromise with or confront the new House leadership.

As a former White House chief of staff, I believe those to be the wrong preoccupations. President Obama’s ability to govern the country as chief executive presents an opportunity to demonstrate strength, resolve, and a capacity to get things done on a host of pressing challenges of importance to the public and our economy. Progress, not positioning, is what the public wants and deserves.

The U.S. Constitution and the laws of our nation grant the president significant authority to make and implement policy. These authorities can be used to ensure positive progress on many of the key issues facing the country through:

* Executive orders * Rulemaking * Agency management * Convening and creating public-private partnerships * Commanding the armed forces * Diplomacy

The ability of President Obama to accomplish important change through these powers should not be underestimated. President Bush, for example, faced a divided Congress throughout most of his term in office, yet few can doubt his ability to craft a unique and deeply conservative agenda using every aspect of the policymaking apparatus at his disposal. And, after his party lost control of Congress in 1994, President Clinton used executive authority and convening power to make significant progressive change. For instance, he protected more great spaces in the lower 48 states than any president since Theodore Roosevelt, established for the first time significant protections for Americans’ medical privacy, and urged the creation of the Welfare-to-Work Partnership that enlisted the help of 20,000 businesses in moving more than 1 million welfare recipients into the workforce.

The upshot: Congressional gridlock does not mean the federal government stands still. This administration has a similar opportunity to use available executive authorities while also working with Congress where possible. At the Center for American Progress, we look forward to our nation continuing to make progress.

You can Read the full report (pdf) CLICK HERE

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From July 2008……Obama civilian national security force

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Wild Thing’s comment……..
“Seven Days In May” scenario?
Podesta is encouraging Oama to circumvent the Constitution!!
If Obama uses the military, there won’t be a next sitting President.This is more than troubling. Podesta is financed by Soros. Yesterday Soros, said that if this President can’t get it done then we need to start looking for a new figure. This is more than ominous. This is an order for action.
This line sends chills up and down my spine:
How does one “move the country forward”? In the center’s report, Podesta explains that Obama can use executive orders, rulemaking, and even the armed forces “to accomplish important change” and that such means “should not be underestimated.”
“should not be underestimated.”
“should not be underestimated.”
“should not be underestimated.”
“should not be underestimated.”
That is a direct threat.
Podesta has a lot of pull with Obama and direct from Soros.
This is a post I did April of 2009
John Podesta’s Letter Pushing For Judge Jay Bybee To Resign

“My organization, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, has collected signatures from approximately 20,000 Americans (see attached) who have expressed their deep-felt and sincere desire to see that Judge Bybee is held to account for authorizing torture. It is unacceptable to allow him to continue to serve in his current role. Judge Bybee should resign, but if he fails to do so, I urge you to begin impeachment proceedings against him.”

One last thing and this is on a positive note because we the people are Americans, and we love our FREEDOM and have lived in the best country in all the world. Our military over the years has made this possible for us, not some freaking progressive, not some half assed Kenya POS that hides all his information from our country!

“Americans are not horses, we were not born to have saddles placed on our backs, by anyone, at any time, and for any reason….”-Mike Pence

I’ve liked this guy for a long time.
Remember a few years ago when he headed the “sit-in” in Congress, where the republicans stayed while the democrats grabbed their suitcases and water-wings and ran out the door for “vacation” before some vote? (was it on amnesty?)
This guy’s got a spine.