Gregory: We don't have a king.
Snow: Sure, David. Sure. The second branch of government was the
Judicial, which was to be used whenever President Bush, or any leader,
for that matter, was not actually elected. But, as nature intended, the
two branches became very fond of each other and with one thing leading to
another, soon an adorable bundle of joy, the Executive Branch, was
delivered to the country. So you see, it's not what the founding fathers
intended, but it happened anyway.
Gregory: But now you're just saying the opposite. That there is an
Executive Branch.
Snow: Yes and no. But in actuality, no. The President doesn't argue that
there is great disagreement in the country as to whether there is or is
not, an Executive Branch, but there is no question that if there is an
Executive Branch, it is or is not a necessarily part of the Executive
Branch, that may or may not exist.
the American people be informed of the activities of their government."
Doesn't the President intend to adhere to his own stated democratic
principles?
Snow: His democratic principles, yes. But I'm sure you'll all agree that
everyone has their own concept of "democratic principles." That's why we
call this a democracy.
Compton. Technically, it's a republic.
Snow: Not during a time of war. Richard....
Richard Wolfe: Rahm Emanual is threatening to pull the Vice President's
funding if he doesn't comply with ISOO's request.
Snow: You know, it's a lot like when we said that Saddam threw the UN
inspectors out of Iraq, when it was actually us who told them to leave.
Is there any question that Saddam intended to throw them out sooner or
later? The President just didn't want to wait and see Saddam's intentions
end up being a mushroom cloud. If Representative Emanual intends to
undermine the troops and place this country in the middle of a nuclear
war, well, perhaps he should just say that.
Wolfe: That has nothing to do with what Emanual said.
Snow: Exactly. Terry...
Terry Moran: Henry Waxman says that what the President and Vice President are doing is unconstitutional.
Snow: Guys, how many times do you intend to take out the trash but
something comes up and you don't? I'm sure Congressman Waxman has
forgotten more than once. You're not going to create a constitutional
crisis over garbage, are you? Jeez, guys. It's not like the President
were making a signing statement. Look, it's very similar to when a young
man tells his girlfriend's father that his "intentions are honorable."
Just because he says it doesn't mean that's what he intends. If you're
going to hold the President libel for what he says, you better be ready
to throw millions of young men in jail just because they want to have a
little fun. Think of the President's executive order as just his way of
having a little fun with your daughter. And if you can't trust the
President with your daughter, who can you trust?
The President hopes that you're all clear on what is just a simple
misunderstanding...of yours. At least that's his intention. Okay. I see
lots of hands and I intend to call on everyone of you this morning.
See you tomorrow.
Award-winning TV writer, Steve Young, is author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Sucessful" (www.greatfailure.com>)
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
