Politics

President Obama in 2007: Bush Tends to ‘Hide Behind Executive Privilege’

President Obama‘s decision to assert executive privilege regarding Fast and Furious documents is seemingly at odds with his previous stance on the Bush administration’s use of the power.

Obama went on Larry King’s show in CNN in 2007 and accused the Bush administration of “hiding behind executive privilege” after King asked him for his opinion on its utilization.

“I think we will determine over the next several weeks how this administration (President Bush) responds to the very appropriate call by Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, to have these individuals come in and testify, Obama said in 2007. “There‘s been a tendency on the part of this administration to try to hide behind executive privilege every time there’s something a little shaky that’s taken place. I think the administration would be best served by coming clean on this. There doesn’t seem to be any national security issues involved with the U.S. Attorney… There doesn’t same to be any justification for not offering up some clear, plausible rationale for why these U.S. Attorneys were targeted when by all assessments they were doing an outstanding job.”

“I think the American people deserve to know what was going on,” Obama added.

President Obama Accused Bush Administration of Hiding Behind Executive Privilege in 2007

President Barack Obama

Further Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) on Wednesday pointed out that the president has claimed multiple times to be an advocate of transparency and against invoking executive privilege without a good reason.

During a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing Wednesday, Chaffetz quoted a number or previous quotes from President Obama on transparency:

2008: “Let me say as simply as I can, transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency. I will also hold myself as president to a new standard of openness…But the mere fact that you have the legal power to keep something secret does not mean you should always use it.”

From a 2009 memo: “The government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure. because errors or failures might be revealed or because of speculative or abstract fears.”

2011: “There may be a situation here in which a serious mistake was made and if that’s the case we will find out and hold someone accountable,” Obama said about Fast and Furious.

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday President Obama had not addressed his decision to assert executive privilege to Holder in Fast and Furious case.

Comments (41)

1 2
  • f-ingconservative.com
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:01pm

    Wait … He just EVOLVED on the issue… LMAO
    Follow @FngConservative

    Report Post » f-ingconservative.com  
  • desertspeaks
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:00pm

    Executive privilege is UNCONSTITUTIONAL as are executive orders.. No where in the Constitution for the united states of America will you find either,.. it simply does not exist and is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
    They know how to amend the constitution and there is ONLY ONE WAY!!

    in Eisner v. Macomber, 252 U.S. 189 (1920), to wit:
    Congress … cannot by legislation alter the Constitution.

    Report Post » desertspeaks  
  • sWampy
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:49pm

    We need all the churches to load up buses with at least 2 million old retired people to protest 10 hours a day 7 days a week in dc, part in front of the white house chanting resign, resign, resign, the rest on the mall, and in front of congress chanting impeach, impeach, impeach. I think even the left would find it hard to incite violence against a bunch of old folks, and if they did I think even the useful idiots would wake up and revolt.

    Report Post »  
  • CharlieBucket
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:40pm

    My name is Barky Oblamey, and I approve this HYPOCRISY!!

    Report Post » CharlieBucket  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:31pm

    It would be great if the republicans could take the moral high ground but unfortunately, they are guilty of the same greed and lust for power. Like everything else, Obama is just Bush on steroids. Obama has taken the big government baton and jumped in a taxi towards the finish line.

    If you really want to get rid of people like Obama, you must understand that the cancer is also within the republican party. The only way out of this is to SHINE the light on the republican progressives ….DEMAND that the republican party supports and allows constitutional candidates to compete on even ground.

    Report Post » soybomb315  
    • sWampy
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Well they aren’t really republicans, they are democrats in districts they think they can’t run as democrats running as republicans. The republicans need to wake up and kick out all the non conservatives, republicans need to be both socially and financially if we are to keep our freedoms and high standards of living.

      Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:31pm

    impeach,impeach,impeach,impeach–Please don‘t think I’m a crazy man–it’s just too much for a marxist demagogue to keep ruining and running our WONDER COUNTRY!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:25pm

    sick pathological liar,liar,liar,liar,liar,liar,liar,liar,liar,liar!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:22pm

    liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar liar,liar, liar, liar evil-liar, liar, liar, liar!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:20pm

    liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar pathetic boy in man’s clothing!!!!–You must be insane to give this guy any credence!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:14pm

    Do as I say, not as I do!

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • Sue Dohnim
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:08pm

    This vid is better,,,,

    Flashback: Obama: Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgTydr4gAaI

    Report Post » Sue Dohnim  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:24pm

      Transparency means behind closed doors. To think,so many really believed the lies he told in 2007-8 and now. Hey, he did his best to: BLAME BUSH.
      I think it’s high time to finally: BLAME OBAMA for blowing Trillions. He is so guilty of everything he blames on others and is now acting like a dictator, oops!

      Report Post »  
  • lapitup
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:54pm

    I am going to vote for Romney. But, look how Obama went after Bush. Romney is week on the matter or afraid of going after him. If Romney wins the election it will not be because of his money or his ads or whatever he did to get him there. It will be because we don’t want Obama a Communist dictator in there anymore and the people (as a whole) want to save our country. It will not be because Romney played it safe.

    Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:54pm

    Let me be clear Barry. You Suck!

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:49pm

    As Rush is just now pointing out, why is the Holder DOJ and the 0bama administration covering up for Bush? Think about this, as some have pointed out, and many of those have been our trolls here, if this gun running program was started under the Bush Administration, why is Holder keeping the proof of this from the Congress, and the American people? Really makes a lot of sense doesn’t it. I really doubt that Operation Line Backer had any real form of gun walking as this admin projects. The cover up is for this administration and nobody else.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:55pm

      Just now again, Holder has retracted his statement that Bush’s AG Mukasey had any knowledge of Fast and Furious. Makes it really hard to believe that it started under Bush after all.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:05pm

      R,J. The whole idea that Obama suddenly wouldn’t take the oportunity to blame Bush, if he actually had the proof, is preposterous. Yet all I’m hearing during the news breaks is Democrat Congressman calling the whole thing a partisan witch hunt. If Nixon had this kind of compliance from the press, he would have served out his second term.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Gonzo, that is so right.
      Correction, that should be Operation Wide Receiver, no linebacker.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:48pm

    Over 100 Rounds Of GOLF

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:31pm

    This is bigger than Watergate.

    Impeachment is now a viable option.

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Shasta
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:39pm

      The more I watch Obummer’s abuses of power, I have come to believe that there is no way he will ever give up the presidency, this year or four years later.

      Report Post » Shasta  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:42pm

      agreed however with our spineless representatives in the house and senate that will never happen. its sickening to me, we now have ourselves a dictator for all those that were on the fence about king obama they should open their eyes to this one. maybe next tax season I will envoke my mae up pretend executive privilage and just let the feds take my word on my income.

      Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Goose/Gander.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • HKS
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:59pm

      There is something really big hiding here. I have written all the congressman in my district making it clear that I want to see this pushed to the hilt. I suspect there is a lot of kickbacks going on from our enemies and I want them exposed.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:03pm

      I agree … and just emailed my Congressman in the House … Impeachment begins in the House .. tell them NOW IS THE TIME!

      house.gov

      then you can find your Rep if you don’t know who that is.

      Mine is running for Senate in November .. I think he wants my vote ;-)

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:27pm

    And… someone will say: I have known Obama all his life… and he has Never Lied… so do not believe the Political Attacks!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • bumfuzeled
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:26pm

    I guess big O’s definition of transparency is different than mine. I would keep military secrets sealed and allow those responsible for F & F hang on their own. Must mean Big O himself has something to hide/

    Report Post » bumfuzeled  
  • chips1
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:26pm

    Obama claimed Executive Privilage today. Holder committed Contempt of Congress prior to the claim. Holder is GUILTY. It appears that overthrowing the U.S. Government is easier than ever. “We the People”, no longer exists. I’m old, and had the blessings to live in freedom. You poor young people are condemned to a life of muslim dictatorship.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:25pm

    The emporer has no clothes…..

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:25pm

    “Let me say as simply as I can, transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.” One more campaign promise Barry had no intention of honoring. Boom, boom, boom. Another one bites the dust, hey! Another one bites the dust, hey hey!…

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • soybomb315
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Surprise! They all do it

    Report Post » soybomb315  
  • CatB
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:22pm

    IMPEACHMENT! Obama is/was hiding behind Holder.

    http://act.theteaparty.net/5273/prosecute-eric-holder/

    Report Post »  
  • 65Mustang
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:20pm

    His lies are catching up with him and the world will see him for the incompetent fool that he is.

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:17pm

    If you tell too many lies it will finally catch up with you. It has happened now with o-but-a-liar–he has finally gone too far–Hopefully he will be impeached!!! He is an evil man!!!!

    Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love