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March 21, 2011
Group Of Democrats In Uproar Over Obama's U.S. Missile Strikes Against Libya
John Larson wants the president to seek approval on U.S. enforcement of a 'no-fly' zone. AP Photos
Liberal Democrats in uproar over Libya action
A hard-core group of liberal House Democrats is questioning the constitutionality of U.S. missile strikes against Libya, with one lawmaker raising the prospect of impeachment during a Democratic Caucus conference call on Saturday.
Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) “all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president’s actions” during that call, said two Democratic lawmakers who took part.
Kucinich, who wanted to bring impeachment articles against both former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney over Iraq — only to be blocked by his own leadership — asked why the U.S. missile strikes aren’t impeachable offenses.
Kucinich also questioned why Democratic leaders didn’t object when President Barack Obama told them of his plan for American participation in enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone during a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday, sources told POLITICO.
And liberals fumed that Congress hadn’t been formally consulted before the attack and expressed concern that it would lead to a third U.S. war in the Muslim world.
While other Democratic lawmakers have publicly backed Obama — including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and top members of the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees — the objections from a vocal group of anti-war Democrats on Capitol Hill could become a political problem for Obama, especially if “Operation Odyssey Dawn” fails to topple Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, leads to significant American casualties, or provokes a wider conflict in the troubled region of North Africa.
Saturday’s conference call was organized by Rep. John Larson (Conn.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus and the fourth-highest ranking party leader. Larson has called for Obama to seek congressional approval before committing the United States to any anti-Qadhafi military operation.
“They consulted the Arab League. They consulted the United Nations. They did not consult the United States Congress,” one Democrat lawmaker said of the White House. “They’re creating wreckage, and they can’t obviate that by saying there are no boots on the ground. … There aren’t boots on the ground; there are Tomahawks in the air.”
“Almost everybody who spoke was opposed to any unilateral actions or decisions being made by the president, and most of us expressed our constitutional concerns. There should be a resolution and there should be a debate so members of Congress can decide whether or not we enter in whatever this action is being called,” added another House Democrat opposed to the Libyan operation.
“Whose side are we on? This appears to be more of a civil war than some kind of a revolution. Who are protecting? Are we with the people that are supposedly opposed to [Qadhafi]? You think they have a lot of people with him? If he is deposed, who will we be dealing with? There are a lot of questions here from members.”
The unrest among Hill Democrat resembles, in part, the debates inside the White House, Pentagon and State Department over the last few weeks as the Libyan crisis has unfolded.
The White House has worked to put out a narrative over the last 48 hours portraying Obama as initially opposed to any involvement in a Libyan campaign, with a major change in the president’s viewpoint developing over the course of the last week as Qadhafi loyalists appeared to be gaining the upper hand and a humanitarian crisis appeared inevitable.
While Defense Secretary Robert Gates led administration opponents of any U.S. role in the anti-Qadhafi operation
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed calls from the French and British governments for a NATO-led effort to assist the Libyan rebels. The Clinton clique eventually prevailed in the debate, and Clinton then worked with U.S. allies to craft a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the mission.
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Wild Thing's comment........
Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) “all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president’s actions”
What is that old saying about a broken clock is right on time two times a day.
The Communist Caucus is mad at obama. LOL Are we reduced to agreeing with them on this ...Kucinich...OMG I feel sick.
Bush got authority from Congress and UN with one year debate. Obama only got it from UN and then rushed to war.
No impeachment will be successful unless it is initiated by and is widely supported by democrats.
Democrats must become convinced that Obama is so toxic that democrats will lose elections as the “party of Obama” for at least a generation. And their only redemption would be to correct the mistake themselves via impeachment.
I am doubtful that would happen, but this is a good start.
And let's not forget about this I posted the other day. I did take joy in watching it. heh heh
“Who The Hell Do You Think You Are?” Farrakhan Blasts Obama For Calling For Qaddafi to Step Down
OMG ....Hello GOP - cue the commercials of Obama playing ball and drinking champagne in Brazil while bombs are dropping on Libya
PLEASE cue the commercials of the Tsunami hitting Japan while Obama plays GOLF
THIS IS AN EASY ONE....Surely this will be the campaign in 2011/12????
Posted by Wild Thing at March 21, 2011 12:55 AM
Comments
We used to call it fucking up a wet dream.
Posted by: Glenn M. Cassel AMH1(AW) USN Retired at March 21, 2011 02:49 AM
Obama sent American troops into sustained operations without consulting congress? If this was an operation that required secrecy to enhance a first strike capability, I can agree without telling congress because it would surely leak out. But, this operation was known about in advance and received 24/7 news coverage. Actually they wanted Qaddafi to know the planes were coming in hopes he would back down.
Posted by: BobF at March 21, 2011 07:31 AM
Before Bush went into Iraq, he got a mandate from Congress and also a unamimous vote from the UN. Satifying both sides, as it should be... Congress is complaining now, where were they when the Health Care Bill, was not allowed to be read before a vote, they have given obama cart Blanche on the menu to do whatever he wants. Suddenly, he has overstepped his boundary, only because they have allowed this to happen in the past. Congress has cede enormous amounts of poser to this usurper.
Posted by: Mark at March 21, 2011 09:09 AM
'Poser', should be 'Power'
Posted by: Mark at March 21, 2011 09:11 AM
Donald Trump just nailed this NO FLY ZONE cost travesty on the FNC! The Arab-League told the UN / USA they wanted Daffy Duck outta there without having to PAY FOR IT, and the INFIDELS fell for it!
The Vietnam War ended not with Rolling Thunder and air strikes, but with B-52 massive Linebacker I and II bombing campaigns OVER Hanoi!
Comrade Babeushka... Infidel Up?
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at March 21, 2011 09:44 AM
Never thought I would agree with Shelia Jackson Lee or Maxine Waters on anything, but stupid wars make for the strangest bedfellows.
oBOMBa waited for the Europeans to make the decisive move then he took over. Meanwhile, what do we get from the Arab League? Unlimited free oil? Shit no. We will just get more ridicule, scorn and madrasses. Let the damn muslims kill each other. They have been doing it for centuries and it helps balance out their high birthrate.
Posted by: TomR,armed in Texas at March 21, 2011 12:33 PM
Hahaaa, them demorats don't have the testiculos to bring impeachments charges against their socialist buddy in the white house.
Posted by: Mustang Gus at March 21, 2011 02:58 PM
Found out the first strike was shrouded in secrecy so I believe Obama was correct in only briefing congressional leaders on what was going to take place. If he would have gone to congress, it would have definitely leaked out. The lives of our pilots depend upon this secrecy and the ability to knock out air defenses fast.
Posted by: BobF at March 21, 2011 09:05 PM
Thank you all and thank you for the added information too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 22, 2011 01:24 AM
