You can thank public pressure for Obama's decision to seek Congress' approval for Syrian strikes

[bigtree]

. . . both from the reaction from Britain and from the public opinion here at home.

I suppose we can credit the president for having the good sense to follow the law instead of acting on the administration's insistence all week that he had the authority to act unilaterally based on slippery interpretations of the War powers Act and congress' lethargic view of their own responsibility in waging war.

Yet, we shouldn't forget in the upcoming debate (however it's debated) that the administration is still insisting they have the authority to act; even if Congress rejects that military action in some resolution.

Bottom line? We still need to keep the pressure on the WH and our representatives in Congress if we want the President to respect our views (whatever they are).

[grasswire]

1. reporters in the Oval Office today could hear the protesters outside.

Alex Witt said there were "dozens" of people hollering outside.

I guess that means "hundreds".

[alsame]

2. I think the UK vote had a

tremendous influence on this decision.

Thank you, Parliament

[Jefferson23]

13. Yes, I think that is likely too. n/t

[morningfog]

3. Congress can grant authority, but that does not make it legal,

under international law. Without coming under the UN or NATO, even with congressional support, it will be a war crime.

[bigtree]

6. good point, morningfog

thank you

[malaise]

11. Yep n/t

[leftstreet]

4. And he has to get a 'go' from a body polling at 9% approval

[JimDandy]

5. Public pressure and British Parliament. n/t

[bigtree]

7. yep. nt.

[Waiting For Everyman]

8. He made a good move, instead of fucking up today.

That is already a good thing. And maybe this good move will be followed by another. I'm not a no-matter-what Obama "fan", but he deserves credit for this, and I have no problem saying I'm very glad to see it.

It's time this government became more inclusive, and this is just one example of doing that. I'm all for it. Whatever's next is next, we will see about that. But this much today is good.

Yes, I agree that the British vote and opinion here probably gave him pause. This time he took notice of that instead of blundering ahead, as I'm sure it's tempting to do.

[Faryn Balyncd]

9. agree

and it is disturbing that, as you point out, the administration is still asserting that they have the authority to act without Congressional authorization. But if Congress refuses to authorize, that will at least give the President a face-saving way out of the corner.

[tblue]

10. I'm just sad we have to pressure a Democratic President

to do the right thing all the time. Kudos to those who are out there hollering.

[bigtree]

12. .