Turkey Anger with Obama over Armenian Resolution Misdirected – A Global Civics Lesson on U.S. Presidential Power

An Associated Press article cites lack of pressure on Congress by the Obama administration as the reason Congress referred to committee HR 252, Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The resolution calls upon the President to ensure that U.S. Foreign Policy reflects appropriate understanding and “sensitivity” on issues of Armenian Genocide, and “for other purposes”. The bill had 137 sponsors, including the Lockstep Massachusetts Democrats: Richard Neal, Ed Markey, Barney Frank, Mike Capuano, John Tierney, Stephen Lynch, James McGovern, John Olver, and Nikki Tsongas. Missing from the roster is Delahunt who announced his retirement this week.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, admonished the House basically telling them to mind their own business and not interfere with the efforts of Turkey and Armenia to normalize their own relationship. Clinton understands that need for a strong U.S. and Turkish relationship, as Turkey is one of our key allies in the Middle East and it is a decidedly foolhardy move on the part of the clueless house Democrats, to bring up this resolution at this particular time in history.

What war on terror?

That said the Global belief that the U.S. President has power over the House and Congress, is erroneous. One need only look at the history of Obama’s push for a Health Care Reform Bill opposed by the American people, to see how truly separate the powers are - Time and again, the President has issued deadlines to the Congress to pass a bill (any bill at this point0, and time and again, those deadlines have come and gone. That should have been clue one to the Armenian’s and anyone else, as to the exact nature of the Presidency and where the power rests in the U.S. – squarely with the House and Senate.

One would think that Obama would get his sway, considering that he and the Congress share the same political party affiliation, however, the role Obama plays now, as President, is twofold: He is the chief executive of the U.S. government and he is also the Titular Head of his Party. In addition, the party holds a majority in both the house and the Senate, and has since 2006. Therefore, he should, in essence have more sway over what takes place in Congress, but that depends upon several factors, the biggest being the ideological divide within the party (progressives versus moderates) and the egos of said members. This particular Congress, led by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, were responsible for holding George W. Bush in limbo, while they played fast and loose with every piece of legislation – rendering the Bush Presidency from 2006 to 2008 basically hostage.

In the most simplest of terms: the President, without the full cooperation of the House and Senate is pretty powerless. This is what the world does not understand about the United States Government, its design and the functions of the various branches and how they interact. It is the media that portrays a President as omnipotent, which lends to this perception.

Therefore, the blame rests with Congress, should the Turkish Government care to cast blame in the correct direction. Moreover, those members may not be as savvy when it comes to foreign policy as the average man on the street; they are over concerned with positions of power, and with their terms expiring every two years, keeping their jobs. In brief, if a congressional representative feels a bill will go over big at home and keep him or her in the job for an additional term, then, regardless of the impact, that’s the way they vote. Additional considerations are power within the party, regardless of how their constituents may feel.

This is why so many of the Democrats in Congress are either retiring and/or facing an uphill battle this election term. The People get it, the politicians don’t. A strong President, who has either control of/ or a working relationship with both house leaders, is a different story. As American’s await another Ronald Reagan and or Bill Clinton (Hillary Clinton would have better served - opinion), the world should view the true power behind the “throne” as the Congress – and as the newest member installed most humbly reminded all Americans’ – it does, indeed, belong to the People. Therefore, the election of independent, constituent based thinkers is the key to preserving the dignity of the Congress in 2010 and the people, instead of seeking the next American Idol, should look for the most qualified candidate able to work with those who hold the purse strings. It is hoped, that the usual choice between the better of two evils, is not presented in 2012.

In the meantime, explaining the Presidency and the Congress and how they interact to the “world” would go a long way towards normalizing relationships. It is not so much an admission of weakness on the part of the President to say to the Turks, “I had no control over the Congress” rather an opportunity to teach a civics lesson on a global level. Perhaps that will also have the effect of teaching civics (no longer taught) to American Students as well – with the advice to choose Congressional Representatives with care.