Obama and Boehner: Fellow Hypocrites on War Powers Act

[n2doc]

The White House says Boehner's criticism of Obama's decision to take military action in Libya directly contradicts his position in 1999. At the time, they say, Boehner expressed concern about the actions President Clinton was taking in the Balkans, but he didn't urge Congress to impose its will on the White House, because it would have eroded the President's power as commander-in-chief.

"It's important to know what his views were then," Carney said, noting that the White House has consulted with Congress on the action taken in Libya more than 40 times.

Yes, it is important. But this is a dangerous game for the White House to play because the same evidence can be used to prove the same accusation against Obama. Here's what Obama the candidate said in 2008:

Q. In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb Iran without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress? (Specifically, what about the strategic bombing of suspected nuclear sites -- a situation that does not involve stopping an IMMINENT threat?)

OBAMA: 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.


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http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2011/06/obama_and_boehner_fellow_hypoc.php