Clinton To Congress: Obama Would Ignore Your War Resolutions

[cal04]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/clinton-tells-house-obama-would-ignore-war-resolutions.php?ref=fpbrk

The White House would forge ahead with military action in Libya even if Congress passed a resolution constraining the mission, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a classified briefing to House members Wednesday afternoon.

Clinton was responding to a question from Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) about the administration's response to any effort by Congress to exercise its war powers, according to a senior Republican lawmaker who attended the briefing.

The answer surprised many in the room because Clinton plainly admitted the administration would ignore any and all attempts by Congress to shackle President Obama's power as commander in chief to make military and wartime decisions. In doing so, he would follow a long line of Presidents who have ignored the act since its passage, deeming it an unconstitutional encroachment on executive power.

Other than that, the lawmaker said he learned nothing new during the classified briefing by Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[flor-de-jasmim]

1. ah.... CLASSIFIED briefing?

[unblock]

11. yeah, classified as "for selective leaking".

[Tx4obama]

2. On March 1, the U.S. Senate approved by unanimous consent a resolution in regards to Libya

More info here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x717373
p.s. The full text of the resolution is posted in comment #10 on the above link.

[leftstreet]

3. Looks like the OP article is referring to Congress restraining the current deal

[Tx4obama]

4. Yes, but many people don't know that the Senate already passed a resolution...

I'm just trying to get the word out ;)

[leftstreet]

5. Even more significant then, if Admin is suggesting they'll ignore Congress

assuming any of this is even true

bizarre

[EFerrari]

6. Actively backing the rebellion is not protecting civilians. n/t

[Luminous Animal]

18. Yes. A non-binding resolution which the names of the voters weren't even recorded.

[Tx4obama]

23. It passed by 'unanimous consent' which means that ALL senators agreed to vote yes....

not even one senator filed an objection.
If one of the senators had objected then a roll call vote would have been called.

Lawrence O'donnell covered the March 1st resolution tonight on The Last Word.
Very good segment!

[Luminous Animal]

29. No. It means all Senators present. There could have been 3.

[FiveGoodMen]

7. Sounds like the Bush Admin

[Tx4obama]

10. Resolution are not binding and are not law. n/t

[slipslidingaway]

8. knr nt

[EFerrari]

9. As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods, / They kill us for their sport

- King Lear

[bvar22]

12. All Hail the Unitary Executive!

:patriot:

....and people here insist that Obama has no real power,
and can only do what Congress authorizes.
:rofl:

"Its all Joe Lieberman's fault!!!!"

[Duende azul]

14. That must finally be that 3dimensional chess.

[FLAprogressive]

16. this is just unreal

[cal04]

13. Updated with comments from Rep. Sherman

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/clinton-tells-house-obama-would-ignore-war-resolutions.php?ref=fpb

Update: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who asked Clinton about the War Powers Act during a classified briefing, said Clinton and the administration are sidestepping the measure's provisions giving Congress the ability to put a 60-day time limit on any military action.

"They are not committed to following the important part of the War Powers Act," he told TPM in a phone interview. "She said they are certainly willing to send reports (to us) and if they issue a press release, they'll send that to us too."


The White House would forge ahead with military action in Libya even if Congress passed a resolution constraining the mission, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a classified briefing to House members Wednesday afternoon.

[FLAprogressive]

15. Un-fucking-believable. I guess we have a fucking King now.

[Bluebear]

21. Until we want him to lead on a progressive issue. Then his hands are tied.

"Only Congress can do this!!!!1"

[FLAprogressive]

17. I guess we have a King now.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. Sounds like she's telling congress to "Bring it on".

It's time for congress to defund this later adventure in "smoke 'em out" swagger and while they're at it, rescind the War Powers Act and reclaim congressional powers.

[The Magistrate]

20. Viewed Coldly, Sir, It Puts The Republican House In A Very Bad Box....

They can endorse the President's action, accepting he is a martial leader shooting over one of the most recognizeable 'bad Arab' names in the lexicon, or they can vote to align themselves with Moamar Gaddahfi against the President of the United States....

[hulka38]

22. More important than the political maneuverings of the moment

this reinforces a very bad precedent wrt presidential power and war.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

24. It also puts the Democrats in the box of being the pro-war party.

While, at least some, Republicans will be seen as anti-war.

I can see no benefits accruing to the Democrats no matter how this latest venture in "picking up the White Man's Burden" fares. Public support is, at best, weak and, as time and bloodshed increases, it is more likely to get weaker rather than stronger. And, as the expense of it increases, the Republicans will use it as a bludgeon to call for more cuts, not in the sacred cow of "defense", but in public services and entitlements.

Further, the Arab "street" will be questioning both the motives and the hypocrisy of intervention in dictatorial Libya while ignoring or excusing similar crimes in places ranging from Iran to Gaza.

The West has opened a can of worms with a hurried, and ill conceived, strategy of taking sides in a civil war without a goal or an exit.

[bvar22]

25. You summed it up perfectly.

I can see no way that this will improve with time.
There are very few GOOD results possible from our intervention in Libya,
and a whole World of potential BAD outcomes.

[The Magistrate]

28. We Shall See, Sir: The Die Is Cast In Any Case

[Bluebear]

32. .

[BlueIris]

26. Ignore away, Mr. President.

But good luck with that whole "legacy, place in history, respect of our allies" thing, m'kay?

[Autumn]

27. K/R n/t

[MisterP]

30. how very wartime Japan

we already have an Imperial Rule Assistance Association as our One Party and a tradition of deifying our heads of state
will we send waves of USAF planes out of San Diego or Virginia Beach to the chants of "May the President live a thousand years!"?
will we attack Pearl Harbor while the embassy dallies on translating the declaration of war?

[democracy1st]

31. This admin is RW and Goldman Sachs funded to the core!

[indimuse]

33. BINGO!

I think many are in for a rude awakening...

knr!

[Skip Intro]

34. "according to a senior Republican lawmaker" That's worth mentioning again, isn't it?