# I pit Obama and what he is doing with the census **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 11, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310 "2009-02-11T02:07:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/101 "2009-02-11T22:54:02Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > You people will be laughing out the other sides of your mouths when the next census comes back 80% black, 19% white, 1% other. Then where will you be, huh? I’ll be a minority, that’s where, and these days that can be very useful. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/102 "2009-02-11T23:08:01Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I’d like to address my liberal friends for a moment. > > The OP was over the top, clearly. But you who are defending Obama reflexively and observing that the Cabinet reports to the president anyway should be careful not to go too far here. It wasn’t so long ago that you were taking the Justice Department and the Bush White House to task because there wasn’t sufficient distance between their activities. > > I’m not suggesting any sort of equivalence here, merely pointing out an obvious danger. The problem wasn’t the distance. Gonzalez and Bush were close, but not as close as Jack and Bobby Kennedy. The problem was the blatant politicization of the Justice Department. There are two big problems with the census. The first, with the hardware, was already mentioned. One that has been around for a while is measurement error. Though this goes against the intuition of most Americans, error from using sampling to compute actual population and distributions is probably less then the measurement error you get having fallible census takers try to track every single person down. I bet Obama knows that, or understands it, and perhaps he is going to try to force some more accuracy into the results. If there is any sign of hiding data or fudging it, then it is time to yell. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/103 "2009-02-12T01:15:32Z")
Of course using Cheney logic the president isn’t a member of the Executive branch anyway. Since he’s sworn in by the Chief Justice and appoints Justices, he’s clearly a member of the Judicial. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/104 "2009-02-12T01:16:51Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > [United States v. Nixon.](http://supreme.justia.com/us/418/683/case.html) This unquestionably protects high-level communications within the Executive Branch, which would include many communications not involving the president directly. And while this protection is not absolute, it is there. _Nixon_ establishes that executive privilege exists. I’m not challenging that point. What I’m challenging is your assertion that direct oversight of an executive agency is itself sufficient for the members of the agency to claim the privilege under Congressional subpoena. I know of no reason to think that true, and I wonder what part of _Nixon_ do you think supports that point? Keep in mind that _Nixon_ explicitly states “we are not here concerned with the balance between the President’s generalized interest in confidentiality . . . and congressional demands for information.” And remember that _Nixon_ rejects the use of executive privilege as it was asserted. Executive privilege is notoriously vague because the Supreme Court doesn’t like to rule on it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t draw broad outlines. Just imagine the implications of your understanding of executive privilege. If direct White House oversight of any executive branch program means that program is not subject to congressional review, the executive could easily–and legally in your view–deny Congress review of the entire branch by simply sending the Chief of Staff all around town every day. Under your theory, if the President decides to directly review the spending of TARP funds instead of having it go through Geithner, then TARP stops being subject to Congressional oversight. That may be the Bush view of executive privilege, but I see no basis for it in law. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/105 "2009-02-12T01:59:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Why do you assume there will be no accuracy? Because it’s all them librul Democrat spawns o’ the devil doin’ it! Don’t ya see?!?!?! We’re doomed! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/106 "2009-02-12T03:34:21Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Does anyone ever ask what the Census wants? Does anyone ever think about his feelings? No, I didn’t think so. [Brain] We’re going to take over the world [/Brain] ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/107 "2009-02-12T03:52:48Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Not too hard, except for the fact that it’s certain ruin for his presidency if he’s caught and the odds of getting caught are near 100% due to tax/residency/real estate/employment/city & state census/hospital/bank/and many other records, besides which migration from blue states to red states can be an excellent thing for a Democrat, especially if the blue states aren’t battleground and the red states are. Yeah, but aside from that… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/108 "2009-02-12T14:20:14Z")
While I don’t buy that Obama will abuse this new power, we do know that executive privilege has been routinely abused in past by Reps and Dems. I see a kernel of concern in this move. The census should remain subject to congressional review without the possibility of this or future Presidents blocking attempts to review. Now comparing this to Bush’s worse offenses is quite frankly offensive. **Clothahump** get real. How do you compare this to manipulating intelligence data to justify a war with Iraq, ordering Colin Powell to sacrifice his integrity to push for an unjustified war, allowing Cheney to arrange for contracts to companies he had interests in, the Katrina failure, authorizing water boarding and phone taps and of course presiding over an economic meltdown that falls just short of Hoover. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/109 "2009-02-12T15:59:25Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > **Clothahump** get real. How do you compare this to manipulating intelligence data to justify a war with Iraq, ordering Colin Powell to sacrifice his integrity to push for an unjustified war, allowing Cheney to arrange for contracts to companies he had interests in, the Katrina failure, authorizing water boarding and phone taps and of course presiding over an economic meltdown that falls just short of Hoover. 'Cause this time it’s a Democrat who did it. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/110 "2009-02-12T16:44:18Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > 'Cause this time it’s a Democrat who did it. Duh. Well there is that, but I was hoping \*\*Clothahump \*\*would either better explain his reasoning or admit that it does not really compare. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/111 "2009-02-12T16:46:00Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Well there is that, but I was hoping \*\*Clothahump \*\*would either better explain his reasoning or admit that it does not really compare. How long you been here? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/112 "2009-02-12T16:54:40Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > How long you been here? Long enough to have participated in pile-ons on \*\*Clothahump \*\*but I guess I try to hold out hope and I try to meet him part way. I like him when the issue isn’t politics. I think I have seen him begrudgingly give in on a point or two over the Iraq War when he was still pitting Liberals for hating America or whatever those pittings were he did a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/113 "2009-02-12T17:03:07Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Long enough to have participated in pile-ons on \*\*Clothahump \*\*but I guess I try to hold out hope and I try to meet him part way. I like him when the issue isn’t politics. I think I have seen him begrudgingly give in on a point or two over the Iraq War when he was still pitting Liberals for hating America or whatever those pittings were he did a few years back. Now I feel bad. :dubious: You’re right…when he’s not talking politics, he _generally_ seems like a nice guy. IIRC, he works with disadvantaged kids (through karate teaching? Something like that?), which is a mark to the “decent” column for anyone. Dammit…why d’ya have to make me rethink my kneejerk cynicism? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/114 "2009-02-12T17:07:24Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > There is no reason whatsoever for Obama to move the census into the White House unless he’s planning to manipulate the numbers to shift representation in the next elections. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. What a fucking idiotic OP. Clothahump, you embarrass yourself. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/115 "2009-02-12T17:24:07Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Or twelve or sixteen – 'cause Obama is going to deal with that pesky two term issue. 😉 Oh, why stop at sixteen? President-for-Life has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/116 "2009-02-12T17:26:50Z")
[You people won’t be so smug when you get to know Obama’s Census Bureau Chief.](http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Count_von_Count) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/117 "2009-02-12T17:29:52Z")
He’ll never be confirmed. That dude is terrible at doing his taxes. ETA: oops, I remember him miscounting. maybe it takes him too long? forget it. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/118 "2009-02-12T20:24:18Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [You people won’t be so smug when you get to know Obama’s Census Bureau Chief.](http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Count_von_Count) “ONE! ONE homosexual african-american with health insurance and internet access living in New England!” [lightning crashes] AHH! AHH! AHHHH! “TWO! TWO homosexual african-americans with health insurance and internet access living in New England!” [lightning crashes] AHH! AHH! AHHHH! [Obama checks his watch] ---
**Author:** ![welby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/119 "2009-02-12T23:19:58Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > “ONE! ONE homosexual african-american with health insurance and internet access living in New England!” > > [lightning crashes] > > AHH! AHH! AHHHH! > > “TWO! TWO homosexual african-americans with health insurance and internet access living in New England!” > > [lightning crashes] > > AHH! AHH! AHHHH! > > [Obama checks his watch] You owe me a new keyboard. Marley owes me a monitor. Please send ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/120 "2009-02-13T01:24:28Z")
Okay, here’s a question: apart from that link in my first post, I really haven’t been paying attention much to claims of what Obama could _do_, exactly, with this (for obvious reasons). Does anyone else have a better idea than I? Are ALL their fears based on some kind of ignorance of government in that area? Because there IS an awful lot of screaming (though obviously, that alone means exactly nothing). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310.md?page=7)