Some Thoughts On the Veto

I was doing some research on the Internet into the Veto power and how it has been weilded, and I think it is enlightening to put President Bush's lack of veto into perspective.

The Presidents over my lifetime (or at least, those I can remember) used the veto as follows (Count of Vetos / Years in office / Approximate average vetos per year)

Nixon: 43 / 5.5 / 8
Ford: 66 / 2.5 / 26
Carter: 31 / 4 / 8
Reagan: 78 / 8 / 10
Bush I: 44 / 4 / 11
Clinton: 37 / 8 / almost 5

So, what does it mean when a President with over five years in office hasn't issued a single executive veto? I can think of several possibilities, none of them good for the country.

Most likely, it's a symptom of the lack of checks and balances these days. If the Congress never sends him anything he isn't going to like, nor ever counters his will, then he has no need to ever veto anything. If this is the case, it means that Congress has rolled over on its advise and consent role.

It could also be that the President hasn't seen fit to veto anything because he prefers to assert his independence of Congressional regulation via signing statements. If this is the case, it means that the President honestly believes he is above the law, and so has no problem signing into law bills with which he disagrees, because he feels free to simply disregard them at his whim.

It could also be that the President is afraid of conflict, big on posturing about how tough he is on terrorists and what a big guy he is, but otherwise afraid of authority and the possible strife that a veto might bring. Obviously, having a wimp for a President isn't the best thing for the nation.

There are other possibilities, but I can't think of one that doesn't signal huge danger for the nation and its citizens.

Oh, and how much power does the threat of veto even have any more from this President? He has, in recent times, twice vowed to whip out his veto pen, and neither time has he actually done it. And now he's threatening again, with regard to the Dubai Ports deal. Dollars to donuts he still won't do it.

Liam.