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Title: Repubs, do you have no shame? oh wait, you don't Post by: paddymcdougall on September 01, 2013, 11:44:51 am http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/31/20273174-congress-be-careful-what-you-wish-for?lite (http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/31/20273174-congress-be-careful-what-you-wish-for?lite)
Quote The funny thing about a dog that chases a car? Sometimes it catches the car and has no idea what to do next. Over the last several days, members of Congress have spoken out with a variety of opinions about U.S. policy towards Syria, but lawmakers were in broad agreement about one thing: they wanted President Obama to engage Congress on the use of military force. Few expected the White House to take the requests too seriously. Why not? Because over the last several decades, presidents in both parties have increasingly consolidated authority over national security matters, tilting practically all power over the use of force towards the Oval Office and away from the legislative branch. Whereas the Constitution and the War Powers Act intended to serve as checks on presidential authority on military intervention abroad, there's been a gradual (ahem) drift away from these institutional norms. That is, until this afternoon, when President Obama stunned everyone, announcing his decision to seek "authorization" from a co-equal branch of government. It's one of those terrific examples of good politics and good policy. On the former, the American public clearly endorses the idea of Congress giving its approval before military strikes begin. On the latter, at the risk of putting too fine a point on this, Obama's move away from unilateralism reflects how our constitutional, democratic system of government is supposed to work. Arguably the most amazing response to the news came from Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterintelligence & Terrorism, and a member of the House Intelligence Committee: "President Obama is abdicating his responsibility as commander-in-chief and undermining the authority of future presidents. The President does not need Congress to authorize a strike on Syria." This is one of those remarkable moments when a prominent member of Congress urges the White House to circumvent Congress, even after many of his colleagues spent the week making the exact opposite argument. Do they really think we won't notice? Title: Re: Repubs, do you have no shame? oh wait, you don't Post by: Howey on September 01, 2013, 12:40:57 pm lol...He's laid out a red line for Congress now. Go with me and face the consequences. Go against me and you face the consequences.
Title: Re: Repubs, do you have no shame? oh wait, you don't Post by: ekg on September 01, 2013, 08:52:54 pm http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/31/20273174-congress-be-careful-what-you-wish-for?lite (http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/08/31/20273174-congress-be-careful-what-you-wish-for?lite) Do they really think we won't notice? I read something today that he's risking his presidency ending in nothing but embarrassment and the ruination of HRC's chance at election by going this route and people like cruz know it so they'll vote against him just out of spite and because they know he'll just do it anyway and then they can really hammer home how he's the usurper in chief.. but even that doesn't take the cake from what King said.. wow... winner of idiot award right there.. |