A good start
During a fund-raiser in Denver, Obama -- a former constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School -- was asked what he hoped to accomplish during his first 100 days in office.That would be fantastic. Would would be even better would be if he would continue on with all standing executive orders from any president, after cleaning up the messes from the most recent one. It would be nice to see the federal government actually staying within constitutional limits of its power, but I won't be holding my breath."I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution," said Obama.
(Via Dispatches from the Culture Wars.)
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Obama must not be aware that Bush's Faith-Based Iniatives was created via Executive Order since his comments on them suggest he would seek to reform the program but keep it in place.
At least, according to the Pew Forum that's what it sounds like:
When asked if he would keep the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives open, Obama said he would need to investigate the office's operations because of the danger that federal money could be allocated to churches "based on politics, as opposed to merit and substance." He says the office should be "open to everybody" and not allow "certain groups to be able to evangelize."
That being said, it's still great to hear the intention to review Bush's Executive Orders. I keep saying that we need someone to do for EOs what Charlie Savage has done for signing statements.
I phrased that poorly. I would issue the qualification that it could be the case that he considers that program Constitutional.
And, that's exactly the deal, Hume.
Obama's on record as favoring faith-based initiatives, as unconstitutional in spirit as they actually are.
In the first issue of this year, the first column in Free Inquiry did a good job of taking both him and Clinton to the woodshed on this issue.
Yet another reason I'll likely vote Green or not at all.
It would appear my second take was correct. Obama is going to keep Bush's office of religion open (and actually expand the program), but will review executive orders relating to hiring practices and proselytization with the intention of overturning those that violate the separation of church/state.
McCain wants to keep the office open and allow hiring discrimination.
As so often is the case, we're left with a choice between bad and less bad.
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