Obama and his Czars (Updated 19 Apr)

Looks like Obama is yet again going to thumb his nose at the establishment. The recently passed and signed 2011 spending bill President Obama has said he is basically going to ignore the rider on the bill that tried to gut the power of a few of Obama’s czars.

“The president also has the prerogative to obtain advice that will assist him in carrying our his constitutional responsibilities, and do so not only from executive branch officials and employees outside the White House, but also from advisers within it,” the statement said.

“Legislative efforts that significantly impede the president’s ability to exercise his supervisory and coordinating authorities or to obtain the views of the appropriate senior advisers violate the separation of powers by undermining the president’s ability to exercise his constitutional responsibilities and take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Therefore, the executive branch will construe section 2262 not to abrogate these presidential prerogatives.” (Source: Politico)

Interestingly, back when he was candidate Obama, he gave George Bush a hard time for using similar maneuvers.

“Congress’s job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it, or he can sign it.  But what George Bush has been trying to do as part of his effort to accumulate more power in the presidency, is he’s been saying ‘Well, I can basically change what Congress passed by attaching a letter saying, I don’t agree with this part, or I don’t agree with that part.  I’m going to choose to interpret it this way or that way,’” Obama said.

“That’s not part of his power.  But this is part of the whole theory of George Bush that he can make laws as he’s going along. I disagree with that.  I taught the Constitution for ten years. I believe in the Constitution. And I will obey the Constitution of the United States.  We’re not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end run around Congress,” Obama said. (Source: Daily Caller)

I do find it funny that a President that seems to ignore the Constitution at will (Czar “appointments”, Capt and Trade end-run with the EPA, attack on Libya), would be on record as saying he would “obey the Constitution of the United States”.  And this is also from a guy who said the Constitution in a document of negative rights.

UPDATE:
Here is some audio from Glenn Beck radio if you are interested.