More character assassination from the GOP

We have a new talking point that is being widely adopted by the GOP. They are saying, in light of Obama declaring a few new programs created by executive order, that his is an "increasingly lawless presidency."
This talking point will work about as well as all the others, which means the conservatives can masturbate to it, but they will convince no one new. [Readers, I haven't suddenly gotten more lewd, it's just that I didn't censor myself this time.]

I'm surprised that's there's room for this president to become more lawless, considering that some opponents said back in 2009 that he was going to create his own private army.

Meanwhile, the rest of us sit back and yawn. Frankly, I don't know if Obama has acted more frequently beyond the scope of his powers or not. I do know that Congress has been more recalcitrant that ever in voting on his nominations, so I can't get too anxious about a few possibly illegal recess appointments as a huge affront to the Constitution and limits on executive power. After all, it's not like a few top level bureaucrats are equivalent to commissioning an actual private army.

The clearest overstepping of his powers occurred when Obama used military forces to aid the Libyan rebels. Congress gave no authorization at all--not because they were dead-set against the idea but because they were in a particular pissy mood and wouldn't vote for anything Obama wanted.  So rather than see the rebels languish, Obama ordered the military support in contravention of the War Powers Act. Congress may have been bratty enough to deny him authorization, but they weren't stupid enough to bring him up for impeachment when they were the ones who were acting like children.

If Congress, or particularly the House, won't start impeachment hearings against Obama over large scale use of military forces without authorization, then they probably won't do it over his new savings plan--that incredible bit of lawlessness.

But why do the conservatives start these new charges at regular intervals? Is it like the fashion industry where creating new styles drives sales which keeps the industry afloat? Are they truly oblivious to the effect on the rest of the country who are sick of this hype? Those are questions I love to force some conservatives to answer, preferably at gunpoint.

On second thought, this meme may shrivel within the week. The folks at HotAir care much more that Paul Ryan is trying to sneak in immigration reform than about yet more powers Obama is abusing. You just can't trust anyone.

Image: newscorpse.com