3 Presidential Candidates so far have promised that there would be no "Signing Statements"

[ck4829]

Will others follow?

"Republican presidential candidate John McCain denounced yesterday President Bush's use of "signing statements" to reserve the right to violate certain laws, and he vowed to abandon the practice if he becomes president.

"I would never issue a signing statement," the Arizona senator said at a Rotary Club meeting in Nashua, adding that he "would only sign it or veto" any legislation that reached his desk as president.

Hours later in Manchester, N.H., Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson agreed with McCain's stance, saying "I will eliminate them. I won't have one."

Presidents have used signing statements to declare that certain provisions of bills are unconstitutional and do not need to be enforced or obeyed, even as they sign them into law. Bush has used signing statements to challenge more such laws than all previous presidents combined.

...

Several Democratic candidates have criticized Bush's use of signing statements, and earlier this year, Republican candidate Ron Paul promised to stop issuing signing statements if he wins. But McCain is the highest-profile GOP candidate to break with the administration over the issue."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/11/20/a_tactic_of_bushs_on_bills_is_assailed/

[aquart]

1. I'd rather just outlaw them.

I'm funny about not believing campaign promises.

[journalist3072]

2. Well, the issue is not the signing statements themselves....it's what they say

Remember, signing statements are nothing new; many Presidents have used them. However, there's one major difference between the way past Presidents have used them, and the way this current one has.

Many Presidents have used signing statements to thank people who were involved in helping pass or champion the legislation being signed. Or, they have used them to sort of "pontificate" on how the legislation will affect citizens.

This 'President,' (and I use that term losely with GWB), has used them to declare that he doesn't feel compelled to abide by whatever it is he's signing; in effect, declaring himself above the law.

What I want to know from each Presidential candidate, is HOW they intend to use signing statements. Not jus IF they'll use them.

[Benhurst]

3. You are right, and it is not just to pontificate that presidents have

used signing statements.

There is a legislative record of the debates leading up to a bill's being passed. The president's negotiations with Congress are often not on the record. Upon signing a bill, past presidents have taken the opportunity to spell out their understanding of the bill being enacted into law. If the law is challenged, then the Supreme Court has the record of the Congressional debates and the president's signing statement to weigh in its decision.

Bush unfortunately has used them to abrogate the very laws he has signed or promulgate new ones of his own creation.

[chaumont58]

4. To me, the signing statements are a form of line item veto

Line item veto has been declared unconstitutional. What keeps someone from suing Bush regarding signing statements? Standing? Would seem like any congressman or senator would have standing.

[Benhurst]

5. You're right, given the way Bush has used them, although not

historically. The nasty little turd should be impeached.