“People who elect a new President are eager for the change to take place. The sooner the better,” USA Today founder Al Neuharth argued in his Friday column in which he asked, coincidentally just a week-and-a-half after Barack Obama's election: “Why wait until late January to turn the Oval Office over to a new President elected in early November?” He proposed: “We should move the President's inauguration up to the first Tuesday in December, one month after the election.” After all, “the time lag” is “too long in these modern times when crises need the earliest possible attention.”
An excerpt from Neuharth's November 18 column, “Why wait until Jan. for new president?”
President Bush's gracious hosting of President-elect Barack Obama at the White House this week raises this simple but important question: Why wait until late January to turn the Oval Office over to a new president elected in early November?...
Story Continues Below Ad ↓No lame-duck president can do anything meaningful after the successor is elected. The time is spent figuring out things like how many presidential pardons to issue, many to convicted political pals....
Most presidents-elect know what they want to do about major issues or whom to appoint to major offices by the time they are elected or soon thereafter.
That's why we should move the president's inauguration up to the first Tuesday in December, one month after the election....
When the Constitution was framed, things moved more slowly. That may explain the March date. The January date was an improvement. But the time lag still is too long in these modern times when crises need the earliest possible attention.
People who elect a new president are eager for the change to take place. The sooner the better.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Is it possible that this
November 16, 2008 - 00:06 ET by JoeBobIs it possible that this dumba$$ doesn't realize that the US has an indirectly elected executive and that the Electoral College does not vote until Dec. 15, 2008? And that Congress doesn't count the official Electoral College vote tally until Jan. 6, 2009?
But hey, crown O king on Dec. 2, 2008. Then he can "rule" his kingdom without all that claptrap of actually following the Constitution.
Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man. - Confucious
wouldnt Dec 25th be more
November 16, 2008 - 00:17 ET by katainkentwouldnt Dec 25th be more appropo?
then we can have the 12 days of social consciousness.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Yeah Al...
November 16, 2008 - 00:11 ET by JPR1...you've just got your knarly old fingers crossed that the "Birth Certificate Issue" doesn't get another spin in the news cycle.
My advice Al, buy extra Maloxx.
JPR1.... Exactly! ...tha
November 16, 2008 - 00:31 ET by bigtimerJPR1....
Exactly!
...that was the very first thing that entered my mind too...I decided to read the comments first to see if anybody was thinking as I did immediately.
Here are the two most recent articles I found about this just this morning, it is fresh news to some of us...here...and the other link is inside it that tells you of the other suits that have been filed ect.
I do not think the majority of people in this country even know about this matter or that it is before the SCOTUS with a decision yet to be made by Souter I think it is...there are some interesting other suits I did not know had even been filed in my second link I think it is...or they are all in the one..either way, you will get the info if you are interested.
I am mad as hell the msm has been mum about all of this, if this was reversed this would of been taken care of long ago...I know nothing much will come of this, but this is a sad day for this county in my opinion when everything I have read and seen, this man is not a natural born citizen of this country...I'll leave it at that.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Thanks BT
November 16, 2008 - 00:55 ET by JPR1Not often I'm near the top of a thread. Thirty-six hours behind is more the norm. :-)
"...mad as hell..." no doubt about that!
Nothing I'd love more than a half million people standing outside the Supreme Court screaming "We want the damn certificate, NOW!"
Tell his lawyers to go... themselves.
JPR1...Nothing I'd love
November 16, 2008 - 01:09 ET by bigtimerJPR1...
Nothing I'd love more than a half million people standing outside the Supreme Court screaming "We want the damn certificate, NOW!"
I could not agree more, unfortunately I fear as usual the people will just go day to day and remain complacent as the Constitution of this country gets chipped away at again...the msm made sure of that... heck, they would of went to courts over the 2000 election til the cows come home if they could of, all the while we had the broadcast news 24/7 with each court proceeding minute by minute like they did....yet the msm has remained mum about all of this, ALL of this, and this should of been brought to light way back when the suits/questions were first brought up, but heck, he has a 'D' behind his name, he is a far leftists and the leftists msm made sure he was their Chosen One.
..this isn't a joke, this isn't make-believe, this isn't not serious...where are the questions to the Gov of Ha. Lingle about sealing the record from the talking heads...WHY!?
It is maddening.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
They don't want to turn over the rock
November 16, 2008 - 04:24 ET by expatriotThe reason the MSM is trying to get him annointed/crowned so soon is that if the rock were ever turned over their messiah would be found in disgrace and hence disgrace them.
They are well aware of the problems in the closet of Obambi. They are doing everything they can to keep the problems from coming to light.
They are liberal/socialist/marxists who hate America in her current form. If they can transform the Great America that is the greatest country on earth into the mediocre America they will be happy. It isn't fair that we are the greatest country on earth and enjoy freedom, prosperity and happiness that he rest of the world does not.
On another note, when America ceases to be our immigration problem will probably disappear. How many of the world's population is trying to get into Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe, etc? Just saying.
Constitution?
November 16, 2008 - 06:15 ET by motherbeltConstitution? Pffffft!
What's important here is the first black President!
They'll just redefine "natural born" (maybe as "natural childbirth which I'm sur they do in Kenya)!
This is one of the most
November 16, 2008 - 07:43 ET by celatorThis is one of the most terrifying aspects of Obama's election.
Voters have elected a person who appears to be an undocumented
alien, (where's da US birth certificate, Obama? It ain't nowhere.
Doesn't exist, does it?), and a radical Marxist revolutionary as
POTUS. Just astounding.
No wonder the anti-US dictators of the world are jumping for joy
around the world.
Here are the coming phases of this sad chapter of our story,
as I see them now.
PHASE 1: The transition. Naming of publicly known (some)
people for Cabinet, appearance of reasonableness, reaching out, etc.
Real power will lie in Obama's kitchen cabinet, the people (many
Chicago political thugs) who tell Obama when to jump and how high. He
owes them big time. They learn this country's deepest security
secrets, and divulge them to our enemies as needed. FBI etc run and
staffed with more radicals. They are coming after YOU.
PHASE 2: First hundred days. This will be the eye opener for those
who thought they were voting for another FDR. They will learn they
elected a Hugo Chavez. On this list of things to do for Obama:
lots of Executive Orders, Fairness Doctrine, Freedom of Choice
Act, Amendments 1 through 4 in great jeopardy. Look for lots of
emergency actions related to "global warming”, mortgage
bailouts, military cuts, withdrawal from Middle East and appeasement
"agreements" with our enemies. Huge tax increases begin.
With John Podesta and Rahm Emanuel
on board now, look for development of enemies list of US
citizens--those who publicly oppose Obama's policies. Think “Joe
The Plumber” as a model for harassment of US citizens.
PHASE 3: Post 100 days. US Citizens wake up to the real agenda of
Obama. Resistance to his policies. This is where that "civilian
security force" he announced comes in. His armed and brutal
goons will be rounding up Obama's opposition. Political hell is
introduced to this country.
An informative historical era to review is the early Mussolini
era--1920's-30's. He organized the Voluntary National Security
Militia to suppress dissent. That's Obama's already announced
"civilian security force”. Their purpose was to "silence"
dissent. They were thugs and goons, of which Obama seems to like a
lot. We know how they did that. Consolidating the dictatorship will
be the main goal in the beginning.
Mussolini's goal was to consolidate political power, as is
Obama's. Like Mussolini, Obama will seek to change election laws, and
characterize his opposition as evil and dangerous to the United
States. They must be dealt with severely.
Because Obama has been so influenced by the policies of Zbigniew
Brzenski (since his 1980's Columbia U. days when Zbigniew Brzezinski
chose him as a malleable stooge) we can expect all sorts of goofy and
dangerous foreign policy disasters (keep a close eye on China and
Russian relationships). Think of Jimmy Carter's disastrous foreign
policy decisions. Zibby was his National Security Advisor.
Hang on, folks. Work for 2010.
Right on, Al!
November 16, 2008 - 00:17 ET by Scout FinchWhy let a little thing like the Constitution stand in the way of instant gratification? We want Obama, and we want him NOW!
Where were you eight years ago when W won the election?
Shoot, back then he was
November 16, 2008 - 06:05 ET by motherbeltShoot, back then he was probably one of the idiots who said whats the rush about certifying? We have to be sure we count all the votes. Who cares if it takes months, Clinton can just stay President a little longer.
Aw Heck
November 16, 2008 - 00:20 ET by oilcanScrew the Constitution and the succession amendments to it, let's just crown the king the day after the election. It's not like the new prez is going to be investigated for fraudelent campaign fund raising issues or anything like that. This way we can do away with this useless Office of The President-Elect stuff too and save our tax money in useless spending on transitioning administrations.
Birth Certificate
November 16, 2008 - 00:21 ET by TheAssessorAlan Keyes is going to ..or has, sued for bami to produce his birth certificate according to http://ace.mu.nu/ Wouldn't that be sumpin'?
It's America, not Omerica
Hey
November 16, 2008 - 00:35 ET by bigtimerHey TA...
LOL...GMTA...look above where I just posted.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT thanks
November 16, 2008 - 00:44 ET by TheAssessorThanks for your link BT. Just saw it. I'm grasping for straws here so I'll take any information on the birth certificate stuff as good news. Getting accurate, objective news about o'bamer is like pumping fresh air into an outhouse.
It's America, not Omerica
WorldNetdaily.com
November 17, 2008 - 21:53 ET by semolina_filcherWorldNetdaily.com exclusively devotes this on its front page of its website. The Fraud One simply wants to be crowned so he can get on with his socialistic agenda....
The reason Al
November 16, 2008 - 00:39 ET by IamTinmanThe reason Al, is so that the president can indeed wind down his affairs (no offense Mr Clinton) and the president elect can do exactly what Mr Obama is doing now, working to make sure that the staff he puts in place, the group he wants around him for four years, is composed of the best people he can find.
His cabinet level officials have to do the same with their own staffs and learn how things were handled by the previous administration so the orderly transfer of power is accomplished with the minimum of misunderstanding.
I have a better idea. Why not have the election moved to Jan 1, 2009, so that the actual president can do his job for the rest of his term without the endless interference of the media who think they are the real leaders of the country?
Liberals wanting Bush
November 16, 2008 - 09:28 ET by TailgunnerLiberals wanting Bush to leave office early? Hey, that's a great idea!
Let's see what OTHER parts of the Constitution we can do away with because they get in the way of the liberal agenda!
If this gets any worse, I'm moving up to Canada and filing for political asylum.
NOLI PUGNARE ME OCCIDERE
Clinton did have to wind down his oval office affairs but...
November 16, 2008 - 09:36 ET by ThalpyClinton did have to wind his oval office affairs, but remember there was a lot of loot to carry, and that takes time. Bush, for all of his issues will remain loot-less.
What if there was no crisis?
November 16, 2008 - 02:53 ET by L.N. SmitheeWhat if Ronald McPaper liked the outgoing Prez, and a greenhorn with nothing but speaking chops and millions of cult members was elected promising to "fundamentally transform this country"? What a jackass.
"Well, I've got nothing against the press...they wouldn't print it if it wasn't true..." -- Joe Jackson, "Sunday Papers"
What a doof . . .
November 16, 2008 - 03:37 ET by GalvanicLet me get this straight . . . Neuharth wants to move Inauguration Day up, but he and his newspaper still can't figure out how to publish papers on Saturday and Sunday.
Go figger.
UNREAL
November 16, 2008 - 04:55 ET by SgthulkaI can't believe that people like Neuharth are allowed to own media outlets - or allowed to drive, for that matter.
For What it is Worth...
November 16, 2008 - 06:36 ET by on-the-rocksat 7:55 AM, November 5th, I predicted this on my humble little blog. I knew someone was going to want to "proceed with history". The attitude of many of them is probably "we don't need no stinkin' Constitution!"
Galvanic;
Do we really want USA Today publishing on Saturday and Sunday? Think of how many additional trees will die! Besides, there is much more competition on Sunday, as in many large cities - where the local paper has rotted due to liberalism - the Sunday paper (with the comics and coupons) may be the only one of the week that sells well (that seems to be the case in Atlanta).
Sgthulka;
As a part of our somewhat free nation (for a little while longer, it seems), he is free to own a media outlet. It is just disheartening that he and other liberal-dominated papers are able to sell so many papers to a dumbed-down populace. [That is not to say that there is nothing of value in the paper, I just don't like putting my money into his pocket.]
As for his not being smart enough to drive, you might be right there.
a place to call home
November 16, 2008 - 09:55 ET by tonemeisteri'm sure geo. bush is quite ready to go back to crawford. after being hammered for 8 years. for every problem, real or imagined. a small let-up after 9-11 then back to business. he probably has every right to say "thanks for the non-support you bastards" but won't. doesn't have a complaint coming on that one. bho will be working his mojo soon. probably thought it would be cool to fly in air force one, ride in the limo etc. all of a sudden he's in charge. not on a board, member of a body etc. nowhere to hide if things go wrong. probably has a few of those classified briefings under his belt by now and realizes it's not a kumbya world out there. it's hammer time baby...and no, the people who mean this country harm won't stop just because of your race or your exotic name. of course, if you don't care what happens...none of this will bother you.
Why wait, indeed!
November 16, 2008 - 10:05 ET by ThisnThatAl, I was thinking the same thing when I canceled my subscription to your newspaper several years ago. "Why wait until the subscription runs out?", I asked myself. "I should cancel right now" I says "After all, 'the time lag' is too long since you took over the newspaper and replaced 'nothing news' with 'absolutely biased - nothing news'."
So, I canceled right then and there.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Seriously!
November 16, 2008 - 17:12 ET by farstar99No newspaper these days is good for anything.
You can't even safely wrap fish in them or use them to start a fire anymore, now that they're "green."
That being said, USA Today, official paper of the Communist Party USA, is the worst.
I still call it what I did when it came out - The McPaper.
It has no nutritional value and it's bad for you.
A lot like the McPresident we'll have next year.
McPaper
November 17, 2008 - 09:42 ET by cassratWhy do you have to insult McDonalds? I have been enjoying their double cheeseburgers for fifty years now and I will continue to enjoy them for another fifty.
'DON'T TRY TO TEACH A LIBERAL TO THINK. IT WASTES YOUR TIME AND ANNOYS THE LIBERAL'
Most presidents-elect know
November 16, 2008 - 11:29 ET by TN MomMost presidents-elect know what they want to do about major issues or whom to appoint to major offices by the time they are elected or soon thereafter.
Uh, Obama is still in the On The Job Training mode. The O Transition Team is busy scrubbing the change.gov every 5 minutes.
Training wheels
November 16, 2008 - 13:01 ET by nkviking75As long as we're ignoring the Constitution, Al, I say we delay The Big Zero's inauguration for a year and make him train under George W. Bush. For all his faults (and there aren't as many as we're led to believe), Obama could learn an awful lot about the job from W., including how to develop a thick skin. It's clear Obama needs help in that department.
Obama needs a year of using training wheels before he starts
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
Not waiting till January
November 16, 2008 - 20:02 ET by flyoverlandI am not waiting until January to cancel my subsciption to USA Today.
Pay Attention to Al
November 16, 2008 - 21:41 ET by allanfDo you even know....
November 17, 2008 - 14:26 ET by fastfoodDo you even know what all is involved in changing the US Constitution?
And as far as "No lame-duck president can do anything meaningful after the successor is elected." How about the responsibilities of the Office?
"Most presidents-elect know what they want to do about major issues or whom to appoint to major offices by the time they are elected or soon thereafter." I don't doubt for a moment that "Most presidents-elect" beginning their first term don't even realize the full responsibilities of the Office.
As for "presidential pardons to issue, many to convicted political pals...." wasn't that your good old chum Bill?
Perhaps you would be better suited in a gossip column.
»→ Pardon me
November 17, 2008 - 14:29 ET by Cool ArrowThere's even precedent with the Clintons pardoning Puerto Rican terrorists, a child molestor, and an expatriot tax cheat.
The Office of the
November 17, 2008 - 21:58 ET by semolina_filcherDarned double posts...
The Office of the
November 17, 2008 - 21:58 ET by semolina_filcherThe Office of the President-Elect (what a dope!) needs to have something to do before the inauguration. Why not bother Bush and sorta annoy him since he is toast anyhow?
Obama is not mein fuhrer