The Office and the Man

Originally Posted by DanaC

So, I think what I want to know is: to what extent is it possible to disrespect the man whilst still respecting the office of President?

I judge the man based, in large part, on the respect he showed for the office and the Constitution.

Reagan's blatant act of ignoring an act of Congress with his Iran/Contra deal showed disrespect for a co-equal branch of government. His falling asleep on the job and his lack of attention to detail was a more personal rather Constitutional failing.

Among recent presidents, GHW Bush was probably the most respectful of the office in terms of understanding and acting within the limits of the executive branch...perhaps because he was the most experienced.

Clinton's failures and disrespect for the office were at a personal level.

George Bush abused the office. He unilaterally extended and expanded the powers of the presidency with dubious legal justifications....he authorized policies that violated basic Constitutional rights of US citizens...he politicized the DoJ like no president I can recall, turning the agency charged with upholding the law, into a legal arm of the WH to provide legal cover for his actions ...he ignored US legal obligations under international treaties....the list goes on.

Obama...too soon to tell.