Hope? Change? Politics as usual

In the midst of a financial crisis, Obama is planning on reversing executive orders regarding stem cell research and oil & gas drilling. Wow, that is different from what we normally get from liberals.

WASHINGTON – President-elect Obama's transition chief said Sunday the incoming administration is looking to reverse President Bush's executive orders on stem cell research, oil and gas drilling and other matters.

John Podesta said the president can use such orders to move quickly without waiting for Congress to act, highlighting the extraordinary powers a president can wield beyond signing legislation approved by Congress. Podesta said people should expect Obama to use those powers to reverse many policies of the Bush administration.

"I think across the board, on stem cell research, on a number of areas, you see the Bush administration even today moving aggressively to do things that I think are probably not in the interest of the country," Podesta said in a broadcast interview.

"There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Podesta said.

President Bush has limited federal spending on stem cell research, a position championed by opponents of abortion rights. Obama has supported the research in an effort to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Also, the federal Bureau of Land Management is opening about 360,000 acres of public land in Utah to oil and gas drilling, leading to protests from environmentalists.

"They want to have oil and gas drilling in some of the most sensitive, fragile lands in Utah," Podesta said. "I think that's a mistake."

Brilliant. Since gas prices have dropped down, let's forget about oil drilling until the next time gas hits $4. Far better to tax the heck out of oil companies. I am sure they won't pass the cost onto consumers. The next big oil price spike could finish off the Big Three auto companies, I guess that is what he means by aiding Detroit. Just think of all the vacant office space and factory capacity when they go under.

Brilliant!