"The duty of an upright administration is to pursue its course steadily, to know nothing of these family dissensions, and to cherish the good principles of both parties." Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 1805.
Oct 13
“Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle”
~Thomas Jefferson
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Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:10pm
The president is Constitutionally directed to execute the legislation enacted by Congress (or to veto said legislation). Once the laws are signed by the president, they should be executed with the utmost efficiency and impartiality. He should not reflect partisan or sectional bias in carrying out the purpose of the law. The Constitution throughout the 19th century created a limited federal government and a limited presidency -- and from my familiarity with his writings, this was certainly Mr. Jefferson's intent. For both these reasons, the chief executive and his office should operate in as non-partisan a manner as possible, with appointments being based purely upon merit and regulations implemented with an eye to efficient and effective governance.
-- A Virginia Whig
Sun, 10/19/2008 - 8:48pm
The operative word in the question is "can". Of course, it can. The real question is "does?". Depending on how the November 4th election goes, we well may see the results when the Executive Office is owned by known and unknown quarters let alone the political party. An American in Florida
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 3:16pm
The good of the Country should first and foremost be the duty of the President of the United States. But today's political arena is so much more partisan that it was in Jefferson's time and one could not be asked not to know what is going on in the "families" of both the Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate when making a desision.
Carol from Wisconsin
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 2:26pm
The even more serious problem is getting CONGRESS to operate free from party associations. The current grievously disappointing group has voted for and against several important bills because of perceived party advantages. Shame on them!
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 11:14pm
Absolutely! In fact as the President is to be the Chief Executive Officer of the United States of America he takes an oath to serve the United States above all other considerations.
The President certainly is most likely to use his own party as key supporters of his agenda, as they, in most cases would be of like mind, to get his purposes accomplished.
If, however, he puts his party ahead of the best interests of the County then he has failed in his first obligation.
LeRoy Paul; A man born out of time!
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