Senator Rand Paul is not being Romney's b****

[Degenret]

After his endorsement of Romney a lot of people started hating on Rand, although he stated a year ago he would endorse whomever the GOP nominee is. While he is endorsing Mittens, he still stands by his principles, and that is pretty good to see.

Politics - Conor Friedersdorf - Rand Paul Rips Romney for Saying He Could Fight Iran Without Congress - The Atlantic

"

... I must oppose the most recent statements made by Mitt Romney in which he says he, as president, could take us to war unilaterally with Iran, without any approval from Congress.

This is a misreading of the role of the president and Congress in declaring war. The Constitution clearly states that it is Congress that has the power to declare war, not the president. The War Powers Act also clearly states that U.S. forces are to engage in hostilities only if the circumstances are "pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.

Absent these criteria, the president has no authority to declare war. Even if the president believes he has such authority, the War Powers Act goes on to require the president to seek congressional approval within 60 days of conflict. No president is above the law or above the Constitution.

Paul criticized the Obama Administration's foreign policy too:

President Obama was elected on a platform of ending wars, yet he has opposed every effort made by me and others in the Senate to do that. He opposed my resolution to end the Iraq War. He has refused my urgings to end the war in Afghanistan more quickly. He started another war in Libya, and this time went further into unconstitutional territory than previous presidents by not even seeking Congressional approval whatsoever. I opposed him when he did that. Anyone who believes President Obama is less aggressive internationally than his predecessors is mistaken. I do not yet know if I will find a Romney presidency more acceptable on foreign policy."

[plater1]

i believe the context of Romneys quote was, he could use other ways outside of war. for example, economic sanctions or ?

[Degenret]

"...I can assure you if I'm president, the Iranians will have no question but that I will be willing to take military action if necessary to prevent them from becoming a nuclear threat to the world. I don't believe at this stage, therefore, if I'm president that we need to have a war powers approval or special authorization for military force. The president has that capacity now...."

What part of that does NOT look like military action?

[plater1]

"...I can assure you if I'm president, the Iranians will have no question but that I will be willing to take military action if necessary to prevent them from becoming a nuclear threat to the world. I don't believe at this stage, therefore, if I'm president that we need to have a war powers approval or special authorization for military force. The president has that capacity now...."

What part of that does NOT look like military action?

i think this is just another politician making a hollow promise to get elected. you don't actually believe what they say right. it's a lot like when Ron Paul gets up in front of congress a says this bill has to much pork in it, then he votes yes for the bill. like all politicians they talk a big game, and lie to the voters. i do NOT think we will ever go to war with Iran.

[Degenret]

The question is not "will we", the question on the table is "does x person wrongly believe that the President has the power to go to war without the backing of Congress" . And since he does, then he does not understand the powers of the office. Just as the current dbag does not.

[Tred15]

"While technically the President cannot declare war without Congress, under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the President can send troops into combat as long as he informs Congress within 48 hours of doing so . Then he has 60 days and then another 30 days for withdrawal before he has to get Congressional approval or a formal declaration of war. Congress has to approve any additional funds that an undeclared war requires"

[Degenret]

"While technically the President cannot declare war without Congress, under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the President can send troops into combat as long as he informs Congress within 48 hours of doing so . Then he has 60 days and then another 30 days for withdrawal before he has to get Congressional approval or a formal declaration of war. Congress has to approve any additional funds that an undeclared war requires"

Yes, we all know this. The point is that Romney thinks he does not ever need Congress, he can do as he wants with the military.

[cgrutt]

I'll vote for Romney because he's not Obama even though I know my vote (as well as every NY resident's on this forum) does not matter because NY will go to O at the end of the day so its all semantics (sp?). Judging by recent actions (Holder, immigration, etc), Obama doesn't believe he needs Congress for anything. Just saying.

[Petrov]

Sure, he is not Romneys bitch. If the balls dont touch it's not gay too. He ran on a platform ofbpeinciple and politics. What did he do when he got elected? Put on his knee pads and take the RINO love train in his mouth like a good house boy. But hey he is not romneys bitch, he is the RINO's establishment bitch.