Or so I understand he needs to according to the US constitution. But then I have heard that there was a motion that passed earlier which authorized the President to do whatever necessary to enhance the security of the American People.
With slim to no chance of hoping to get the SC endorse a second resolution, wouldn’t it be wise for him to at least ask the member’s of congress? Keeping in mind the fact that only 30% or so people actually endorse a war unilaterally, which IMO are those who watch the news maybe once a week!
Re: Will Bush go to Congress to get a War Declaration?
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
Or so I understand he needs to according to the US constitution. But then I have heard that there was a motion that passed earlier which authorized the President to do whatever necessary to enhance the security of the American People.
With slim to no chance of hoping to get the SC endorse a second resolution, wouldn’t it be wise for him to at least ask the member’s of congress? Keeping in mind the fact that only 30% or so people actually endorse a war unilaterally, which IMO are those who watch the news maybe once a week!
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Bush does not need to seek a formal declaration of war to conduct military operations against Saddam. Nor does he need prior approval from Congress. But you are correct that Congress did, in fact, give its approval already.
IMO it would probably NOT be "wise" to ask Congress to approve another resolution of support. It is a pretty well fixed general philsophy that a President doesn't ask Congress to approve Presidential acts that don't legally require such approval. It would diminish the power of the presidency which is more important than any individual person occupying the oval office. There are a few exceptions to this rule but the exceptions usually arise within the context of an event where the President is quite certain that Congress would give him political cover in large majorities. It is pretty clear that any Congressional debate of a White House Resolution on Iraq would lead to a partisan squabble that would be more likely to weaken Bush's presidency than help him.
Regardless of what any particular opinion poll says, the only opinion poll that makes a difference is the opinion of the electorate as expressed on election day. President Bush is certainly gambling the fate of his presidency on the succesful outcome of a war on Iraq.
So can you explain under what circumstances would the President needs to go ask Congress for a declaration of war? If only when he is sure to get a “go” in response then why such a clause exists in the constitution? I know none was asked for Vietnam, first gulf war or any other such “wars” and it’s very unlikely that he will go for this one …
I think Bush should go back and ask Congress but it seems unlikely at this point, as Congress itself isn't pushing for him to do so. The first resolution passed earlier this year by Congress supported the use of force after all diplomacy measures failed, there is obviously a debate if this has occurred. Unless the security council comes to some sort of agreement with a new resolution that gives Iraq some kind of deadline or a strong united voice with in Congress that opposes war comes about, war within 300 hours seems likely.
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*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
So can you explain under what circumstances would the President needs to go ask Congress for a declaration of war? If only when he is sure to get a “go” in response then why such a clause exists in the constitution? I know none was asked for Vietnam, first gulf war or any other such “wars” and it’s very unlikely that he will go for this one …
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I think the answer to your question and puzzlement lies in the fact that the Constitution is over 200 years old and the nature of warfare and the nature of security threats has changed considerably since the framers of the Constitution wrote it. Also, the nature of politicians has changed considerably since then with most current politicians being gutless talking heads whose primary objective is to get re-elected and make politics a career. My guess is that most Congressmen are really quite happy that they are not put on the spot to either vote yes or no on a declaration of war when we commit our troops to combat. This gives them the freedom to waffle back and forth on the issue and blame the President if something goes wrong.
The requirement for Congress to declare war has effectively been rendered meaningless.