Wednesday, January 29, 2014

So, That 'Executive Privilege'

January 28, 2014 - Republicans have criticized President Barack Obama's plan to use his executive powers, but CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer says the last president to use the powers less than the current sitting president was Grover Cleveland.

Grover Cleveland tested -- and eventually exceeded -- the limits of executive privilege. Like Andrew Jackson, Cleveland claimed his license on behalf of ordinary citizens, whom both men felt were unfairly subjugated by an entrenched congressional elite. In the spirit of his political ancestor, who had vetoed an unprecedented 12 congressional bills, Cleveland vetoed no less than 600.

Cleveland's virtual resurrection of the presidency ended two decades of steady decline since the days of Abraham Lincoln. Among his first acts in the White House was replacing the established bureaucracy. The Senate at first refused to acknowledge Cleveland's appointments, but acquiesced after his refreshingly firm stance received an outpouring of public confidence. read more>>>

American President: Grover Cleveland: A Life in Brief


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