President Barack Obama is facing growing anger from lawmakers who believe he overstepped his authority by launching missile strikes into Libya without first seeking the consent of Congress.
The criticism is from all directions: from moderates, like Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.); from those on the far left and right, like Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ron Paul (R-Texas), who believe the president acted outside the Constitution; and from the establishment on both sides, including House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson of Connecticut and Republican Rep. Candice Miller of Michigan, a self-described “hawk.”
What it adds up to is this: The president, already taking heat for a perceived lack of engagement on pressing domestic matters, will arrive home from South America needing to justify to Congress and the public his decision to use force in Libya without seeking approval.
It remains to be seen whether Congress has reached a tipping point in its cession of war-making power to the executive branch, but it’s clear that U.S. intervention in Libya has hit a nerve with a war weary legislative branch.
“What is the vital U.S. national interest? … How much does he think it will cost us? What is the scope of the mission? How do you define success?” Miller said, ticking off a list of unanswered questions. “The president should come home, call us into session … and explain what he’s doing.”
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He lost the American people.
A whopping three-quarters of Americans–74 percent–said the United States should “leave it to others” to attempt to resolve the situation in Libya, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted last week.
Similarly, a Pew Research Center poll conducted last week found that 65 percent of respondents think the United States doesn’t have the responsibility to do something about the fighting in Libya, compared with 27 percent who responded that it does.
More worrying for the U.S. administration: More than three-quarters of respondents in the Pew poll (77 percent) said they oppose the United States bombing Libyan air defenses.
Ha!
It’s great to be president you get criticized for whatever you do
Let’s face it if gas prices at the pump are down and people in rural america feel the recovery wall st. says is happening, obama will be reelected. All else is secondary to the wallet.
Wait, isn’t Obama the world’s savior and not just the American president? If yes, then he can do whatever he wants – just like he’s doing.
President Obama did not act outside the Constitution. The President, by virtue of his being commander-in-chief, has the right to send troops to battle. Congress, however, need not fund such war for more than 60 days without a Congressional declaration.
the above comments are just wrong
majority of americans want the american attack on gaddafi forces in enforcing a no fly zone
two polls show this:
published march 23rd : CNN/Opinion Research poll, 70% percent of Americans support the enforcement of a no-fly zone in Libya.
Reuters Ipsos poll published march 24th: 60% of Americans support the U.S. and allied military action in Libya to impose a no-fly zone to protect civilians from forces loyal to Muammar Gadhafi.
I am sorry I cannot predict the future! Those polls came out after my post.