OPINION:
A Washington Times article about the debt began, “Mr. Obama summoned House and Senate Democratic leaders to the White House on Wednesday afternoon. …” (“Obama flip-flops on debt-limit vow,” Web, Wednesday). This is an imprecise use of the word “summoned.”
Congress and the presidency, along with the judiciary, are co-equal branches of the federal government; none is superior over the others.
The president is not a king or an emperor, and he does not “summon” members of Congress. He may invite them, he may request their presence, but he does not summon them.
PAUL BARTLETT
Vienna, Va.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.