Taking Back The Wheel

Now I understand the powers of a Commander-in-Chief and I respect them. However, when it becomes increasingly clear the Commander-in-Chief is commanding our military right off a cliff, then it's time for someone to do something about it.

I do not think our founding fathers believed in allowing our President complete unrestricted control of the military to use it whenever he wants, wherever he wants, without a check from one of the other two branches of government. That's why I am really happy to see that the Democrats are planning to revoke the vague authority given to the President in 2002, which he used to invade Iraq and replace it with a more specific mission.

This is what the 2002 resolution stated;

That measure authorized the president to use the armed forces "as he
determines to be necessary and appropriate ... to defend the defend the national
security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq"

So pretty much the President can keep us in this war until HE deems the "threat" no longer exists.

The President had the right to take the wheel, but when he is veering into other lanes and driving us toward a cliff, it is time for someone else to take back the wheel, if for just a little while until we straighten the car out. That's where the United States Senate comes in.

The question is can the US Senate, as divided as divided can be right now, be able to pass this with enough Republican support to avoid a filibuster. The Democrats can only count on 50 votes from their caucus (with Lieberman essentially gone on the issue), but they can count Hagel on their side.

If and when this hits the Senate floor, I'm looking at those GOP Senators up for reelection in 2008 in states where this war is not popular at all, AND our friends who are running for President in 2008

I'm looking at you John Sununu, Susan Collins, John Warner, Gordon Smith, Norm Coleman, Elizabeth Dole, Pete Domenici, John McCain and Sam Brownback. (oh, and you too Mitch McConnell)