Obama
OBAMA
Chief Legislator
Mieczkowski: Barack Obama's veto power gathers dust
Originally published: January 15, 2013 3:07 PM
Updated: January 15, 2013 6:46 PM
By YANEK MIECZKOWSKI
Photo credit: iStock | Something stunning has happened -- or rather, largely failed to happen -- during Barack Obama's presidency. He has almost never used the veto.
When a president begins his second term, as Barack Obama does next week, he ponders his legacy. Whatever Obama's achievements, history might remember him for a dubious distinction, at least if one pattern continues. Something stunning has happened -- or rather, largely failed to happen -- during his presidency. Obama has almost never used the veto.
This failure helps to explain why his leadership often lacks vitality, and it provides insight into the mushrooming federal deficit.
Since World War II, presidents have used the veto to restrain congressional spending. Harry Truman, who called the veto "one of the most important instruments" in a president's arsenal, issued 250 vetoes. Dwight Eisenhower vetoed 181 bills, many of them embracing large-scale spending. Eisenhower scythed down a bill to construct a $60-million, nuclear-powered Coast Guard icebreaker and rejected another for nearly $2 billion in water projects, which he called a "waste of public funds." Eisenhower's vetoes helped him to keep annual federal budgets around $80 billion, and he presided over three budget surpluses.
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Among recent presidents, Gerald Ford used vetoes adroitly, issuing 66 during 21/2 years. During interviews for my political biography of Ford, he spoke proudly of this record, considering it one of his best legacies. A former House minority leader, Ford knew Congress well and stressed
Chief Legislator
Mieczkowski: Barack Obama's veto power gathers dust
Originally published: January 15, 2013 3:07 PM
Updated: January 15, 2013 6:46 PM
By YANEK MIECZKOWSKI
Photo credit: iStock | Something stunning has happened -- or rather, largely failed to happen -- during Barack Obama's presidency. He has almost never used the veto.
When a president begins his second term, as Barack Obama does next week, he ponders his legacy. Whatever Obama's achievements, history might remember him for a dubious distinction, at least if one pattern continues. Something stunning has happened -- or rather, largely failed to happen -- during his presidency. Obama has almost never used the veto.
This failure helps to explain why his leadership often lacks vitality, and it provides insight into the mushrooming federal deficit.
Since World War II, presidents have used the veto to restrain congressional spending. Harry Truman, who called the veto "one of the most important instruments" in a president's arsenal, issued 250 vetoes. Dwight Eisenhower vetoed 181 bills, many of them embracing large-scale spending. Eisenhower scythed down a bill to construct a $60-million, nuclear-powered Coast Guard icebreaker and rejected another for nearly $2 billion in water projects, which he called a "waste of public funds." Eisenhower's vetoes helped him to keep annual federal budgets around $80 billion, and he presided over three budget surpluses.
MORE: Analysis and discussion from Viewsday | Newsday columnists | More opinion
CARTOONS: Walt Handelsman's Cartoons | National Cartoon Roundup
CONNECT: Subscribe to our e-mail list | Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
Among recent presidents, Gerald Ford used vetoes adroitly, issuing 66 during 21/2 years. During interviews for my political biography of Ford, he spoke proudly of this record, considering it one of his best legacies. A former House minority leader, Ford knew Congress well and stressed