Pelosi Visits Damascus

[slaar]

Slaar: Finally a valid issue. Yes, you are correct. With that majority they CAN. The problem though is that even if they do acheive that majority they can only pass legislation. They still cannot set foreign policy. I do suppose that if their constituiency allowed them to devolve to that degree it could happen but it would require a radical change in American Govt. and public attitudes.

All the power the Speaker has, still doesnot mean that the Speaker can uiltaerally steer foreign policy in a new direction. I admire your tenacity [seriously] but it does not change facts.

I never said they could. But equally, the President cannot dictate foreign policy unilaterally as you suggested in the post I originally disagreed with.

 

[ViolentPanda]

I never said they could. But equally, the President cannot dictate foreign policy unilaterally as you suggested in the post I originally disagreed with.

Bear in mind that the "facts" Rachamim speaks of are "Racha-facts" and therefore don't necessarily have much relation to reality.

 

[rachamim18]

Panda: [going against my word and my better judgement in responding]: I only told you that I was not gay simply because I did not want you to have false hopes. Good luck with Mr. Goodbar. See, here in Israel we do not have your quaint sexual complexes. Our Army allows homosexuals to serve openly. There is none of the hypocritical paranoia you see so much in the West. Maybe you ought to perform Aliyah, see? You would have many more opportunities here. I could even put a word in for you at Bakum.

Slaar: I do not believe I stated the President could unilateraly cast Foreign Policy. His job though is to set it and the checks and balances do the rest, including the wonderful check of the voting public.


[edited to please the Panda with better spelling]

 

[mears]

Those who champion this move by Pelosi are surely the same who criticize the US for cozying up to brutal dictatorships. But when someone goes against the Bush administration and makes nice with the nasties its all well and good don't you know

Because European lefties biggest criteria when judging world leaders is their stance towards the Bush administration. Its the biggest issue, not their domestic record or human rights record or trade policy. Priority is always given to their actions as they relate to George W. Bush.

Completely obsessed

 

[mears]

Rev Jesse Jackson: private citizen.

Nancy Pelosi: currently the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; ranks second in the line of presidential succession, following Vice President Dick Cheney; is not just a private citizen.

George Bush: has no right to dictate foreign policy. America is a constitutional republic where the head of state and other officials are elected as representatives of the people and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens.

More 'facts' busted.

The only power Pelosi retains in regard to international relations is the power of the purse. She can try to organize a group of legislators to block funding on a specific project if she wants, but that is not always easy.

If she were speaker of the House for a President of the same party than her words may carry some weight in Syria. But since she is ignored by the administration on these issues she is in effect powerless. Now if a democrat wins in 2008 and she is still speaker of the house that all changes.

This was more of an opportunity for both sides to lay the ground work if a democrat is elected in 2008.