7/29/2013, 1:03 am
Washington Examiner:
In a surprise interview after his speech Wednesday in Galesburg, Illinois, a rogue reporter going by the name of Jackie Calmes, asked the President a question.
As if THAT wasn't bad enough, the pushy woman's question implied Mr. Obama may have exceeded his authority by unilaterally delaying the employer mandate in Obamacare that Congress specified must begin at the start of 2014.
The President seemed momentarily shocked that a reporter would question one of his decisions, but he never the less, graciously condescended to answer the impertinent girl.
You see, dear, Obama began, “...if you heard me on stage today, what I said was that I will seize any opportunity I can find to work with Congress to strengthen the middle class, improve their prospects, improve their security.”
“No, but specifically — " Calmes interjected.
“But where Congress is unwilling to act,” Obama continued patiently, “I will take whatever administrative steps that I can in order to do right by the American people.”
As for Congress, he added, “I'm not concerned about their opinions. Very few of them, by the way, are lawyers, much less constitutional lawyers.” And some Republicans “think I usurp my authority by having the gall to win the presidency.”
Obama likened his move to “the kind of routine modifications or tweaks to a large program that's starting off.” Criticism of his exercise of executive authority in this matter, he suggested, is more the result of a “frenzy” among Republicans than anything he has done.
The President smiled warmly at the young woman. Then, shaking his head in apparent disbelief, turned and strode out of the room.