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Can Obama start a war?

Raizinman

Raizinman

Platinum Member
Anybody care that our President doesn't have the power to do what he's about to do in Syria? Congress, and ONLY congress can declare war, and the War Powers Resolution clarifies with an explicit requirement that Congressional Approval be obtained before ANY hostility. How can Obama do this without Congressional Approval?
 
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Why wouldn't congress want to start a war if it benefits US? Conversely why would Obama want to start a war if it doesn't?
 
According to Obama and Hillary a President needs congressional approval. Jospeh Biden said attacking another country without congressional approval was an impeachable offense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIFTXEqEh-8 Of course that was said when Bush was President. The laws don't apply to Obama. He already attacked Libya without congressional approval. They media is mostly liberal propaganda that worships Obama, so they won't call him on it either.
 
I agree with you, but just for the sake of clarity the reasoning is that the president can send troops into harm's way without asking congress if there is no intent to declare a war. If the rule were strictly interpreted, i.e. no troops in harm's way without a vote of congress, then things like rescue missions would not be possible, or at least would be much harder to pull off. There probably needs to be a middle ground. As it stands right now the President can basically sail the country into full-scale conflict with nobody's permission.
 
The question "can he start a war" is different from "is he authorized by the Consitution to start a war". As Commander-in-Chief he could order the military to attack Syria, which would start a war, so... yes, he can start a war.
 
Raizinman said:
Anybody care that our President doesn't have the power to do what he's about to do in Syria? Congress, and ONLY congress can declare war, and the War Powers Resolution clarifies with an explicit requirement that Congressional Approval be obtained before ANY hostility. How can Obama do this without Congressional Approval?
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The same way that Bush jr. did?
 
rga said:
The same way that Bush jr. did?
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Uh, Dubya did get authorization from Congress to attack Iraq.

Thing is, I don't know how the GOP really feels about this war, so it's tough to say whether there would be an attempt to go to the Supreme Court to try to block it.
 
zinfamous said:
War Powers Act hasn't been used since 1941....correct me if I'm wrong.
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you're right, but the OP specified the War Powers Resolution, not the War Powers Act.


jpiniero said:
Uh, Dubya did get authorization from Congress to attack Iraq.

Thing is, I don't know how the GOP really feels about this war, so it's tough to say whether there would be an attempt to go to the Supreme Court to try to block it.
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what dubya got was a congress that said 'we abdicate our responsibility and you can do what you want' which could have been anything
 
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ElFenix said:
you're right, but the OP specified the War Powers Resolution, not the War Powers Act.
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wait, there's two of them? :hmm:

Point being, presidents have pretty much decided to ignore this process since Roosevelt left office. I'm not saying it's great, but depending on which side of the jerkball (political) fence someone sits on, they like to act as if this is so god damn unprecedented.
 
ElFenix said:
what dubya got was a congress that said 'we abdicate our responsibility and you can do what you want' which could have been anything
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Well, yeah, but they still did vote to authorize it IIRC. Which is why you need to watch to see if the GOP does sue - if they don't, it would be their way of approving of the war without having to take 'responsibility' of it.
 
President has wide authority to make shit up and do pretty much what he wants.

Could he decide to send nukes at Russia? No, his military commanders would refuse. Could he send missiles at Syria? Yep, although the political repercussions would be severe if Congress makes it clear they don't approve (which they have not done yet).

UK's vote today has taken the wind out of the sails of any intervention at this point.
 
Yes he can.....and his administration's position on the subject is really no different from every administration since WW2 regardless of political affiliation.
 
Doppel said:
President has wide authority to make shit up and do pretty much what he wants.

Could he decide to send nukes at Russia? No, his military commanders would refuse. Could he send missiles at Syria? Yep, although the political repercussions would be severe if Congress makes it clear they don't approve (which they have not done yet).

UK's vote today has taken the wind out of the sails of any intervention at this point.
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Oh I'm sure we'll get involved anyway. We can't help ourselves. We have to find the biggest quagmire and unwinnable situation on the planet and then stick our noses right into it.
 
lozina said:
Can Obama start a war?
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obama_wpa.jpg


Next question?

Uno
 
The peoples' branch of govt can't initiate it because they aren't the commander in chief.

Every war America has been involved in has been initiated by the American executive and because Congress can't unilaterally call the military back.
 
Raizinman said:
Anybody care that our President doesn't have the power to do what he's about to do in Syria? Congress, and ONLY congress can declare war, and the War Powers Resolution clarifies with an explicit requirement that Congressional Approval be obtained before ANY hostility. How can Obama do this without Congressional Approval?
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Go back and take 7th grade civics again. Geez.
 
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