Herding Cats

I think President Obama can order a strike on Syria without Congressional approval. But he is no war president who will lead us to victory. And nobody can keep Congress on board even if they agree to start a war.

It may be wise to seek Congressional cooperation before the attack, perhaps with consultations with majority and minority leaders in each house before striking rather than a big war vote.

But I do not think that Congressional approval guarantees Congressional support. Recall that a bipartisan Congressional majority voted for war against Saddam's Iraq, and that didn't stop Congressional Democrats from recanting their support for war and didn't stop too many Republicans from going wobbly, too (coughHagelcough).

Only the steadfast pursuit of victory by President Bush helped us defeat our enemies in Iraq.

So who can blame President Obama for not thinking Congressional approval is important? Representative Pelosi supports a strike? That and a buck will get you a small coffee when the going gets rough, eh?

I'd rather seek the overthrow of Assad as the proper response to 100,000+ dead (and several hundred dead from chemical warfare).

Let's not think that Congressional approval is the gold standard for a good outcome.

And while I'm willing to slam Congress, don't think that I believe our president is the man for this job. There is no way that President Obama will be steadfast in pursuit of victory if we don't get that victory in two or three days.

No wonder our military isn't eager to start a war even when President Obama says it won't be a war.