From the October 2008 Idaho Observer:


Stealing oil: A constitutionally-mandated presidential obligation

Bush declares exceptions to sections of two bills he signed into law

President Bush used signing statements to assert a right to bypass more than 1,100 sections of laws. President Bush asserted on Oct. 14, 2008, that he had the executive power to bypass several parts of two bills: a military authorization act and a measure giving inspectors general greater independence from White House control. President Bush signed the two measures into law. But he then issued a so-called "signing statement" in which he instructed the executive branch to view parts of each as unconstitutional constraints on presidential power.

President Bush challenged four sections of the authorization bill. One would have authorized independent review of how the U.S. is using revenues derived from "the oil resources of Iraq"; another would have required negotiations for an agreement by which Iraq would share some of the costs of the American military operations there. The sections in question, "purport to impose requirements that could inhibit the president’s ability to carry out his constitutional obligations...[as commander in chief]," President Bush wrote. In the other bill, he raised concerns about two sections that strengthen legal protections against political interference with the internal watchdog officials within each executive agency.