By Douglas V. Gibbs
The authority to wage war belongs to the President of the United States, and the authority to declare war belongs to Congress. These are separate powers, and constitutionally, the president can wage war without congressional approval. However, to pay for the war, Congress will need to appropriate the money.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison both, during their presidencies, waged war against the Islamic States of the Barbary Coast without first seeking a declaration of war.
That is not why I am writing this piece.
The reason I am commenting on Barack Obama's decision to wage war on ISIS with airstrikes in Syria is because during his 2008 campaign, and many times afterward, Obama argued that the problem with Bush was acting without Congress in Iraq (which was not true). Obama accused of Bush attempting to use his executive powers to consolidate power in the executive branch. Obama said the biggest problem with Bush was that he was acting without Congress.
Barack Obama has become the president he told everyone was the problem.
Not only was Dubya not guilty to the extent that Obama made him out to be, but Obama himself has gone far beyond what he accused Bush of in Barry's search for more power. His declaration that he is going after ISIS with airstrikes in Syria without Congress is just one in many cases where Obama has decided Congress is irrelevant, and he'll act on his own (as he accused Bush of doing).
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Obama ready to strike at Islamic State militants. . . without Congress - Washington Post
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