I think this could be a new series from the Kos community. What would be the first thing you would do if you were Barack Obama? Ignore the ridiculous breach of logic that this scenario presumes ... You aren't Obama and there has never been a miraculous transmutation of one person into another, recorded that is. Let's just say it is so for the minute.
The rules are these:
(1) You can't use this to present a rant on what Obama is doing wrong. That isn't the point. Whether it is the Democrats' or the Republicans' fault, there are many problems in this country awaiting solution. Let's talk solutions.
(2) You can't run off with dozens of complaints. Let's keep this civil. Pick one complaint, whatever is on your mind at the moment, and go for it.
(3) You have to explain why and how. It's that simple. Put your mouth where your ... never mind.
Possible scenarios:
You can solve the nation's problems.
Cap and trade? It's there.
You want to use your new-found power to squash one of your enemies? OK. I've been pissed off at my boss for about two years now ... Nah.
You can ... use your connections to invest in the stock market with inside information that only the POTUS would have (heh, heh). I say, don't be greedy.
I'll start.
I would make a list of ALL of the appointments that are awaiting confirmation and make dozens of recess appointments all at once. I would freaking appoint them ALL. Every goddam one of them. The hell with the Republican gridlock. The hell with the Democrats not knowing how to deal with it.
In the August recess, Obama made four recess appointments.
Think big. Bigger. EVEN BIGGER. Not four, not dozens, I want dozens of dozens. MORE. Two-hundred appointments. Three.
There are currently about 100 vacancies out of 854 in the federal bench. 43 Judges who have been nominated by Obama are awaiting confirmation. Most of them have had a 100% vote by the subcommittee. Republicans have called for an end to the stalling. Justice Kennedy has called for confirmation of these judges, in particular the eastern district of California, which last received a new judgeship in 1990, a temporary position that expired in 2004. At this point in Obama's presidency, 37 judges have been confirmed, 60 for Bush at the same point in time.
On May 30, 2010, there were about 240 administration nominees awaiting confirmation. I don't know how many the number is right now.
Elizabeth Warren? She would be my first.
Reality time. What would actually happen if Obama did this, appointed every one of the appointments that are needed?
I think it would implode on the Republicans. Obama could give a speech and cite exactly how many of these have passed in committee but are awaiting a full senate vote. It would be a freaking awesome vehicle into Democratic enthusiasm heading into the 2010 midterms. It would underscore what the Democrats have been up against. The MSM hasn't talked about this because it is basically a boring topic. But, with the alliedoc plan, the shear enormity of it would snap the MSM onto the topic post haste.
What could the Republicans do? Nothing. Nothing at all. They could whine. They could pick one or two that they really didn't like and try to make an issue of it. Boring. The basic fact would remain and be painfully obvious to anyone except the most depraved of right-wing nutcases.
The Republicans don't care about the country and only care about themselves.
Go for it, Barack.