THE PRESIDENT does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
That was the answer of candidate Barack Obama in 2007 to a question posed by a reporter about whether the executive could initiate a bombing campaign against Iran without Congressional authorization. Yet despite this ostensibly categorical stance, two weeks ago President Obama commenced an air campaign against Libya without Congressional approval. The Constitution vests Congress with the exclusive responsibility to determine when military action is appropriate. Article I, Section 8 states, in no uncertain terms, that "Congress shall have power
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