Panetta: Obama Can Unilaterally Use Military to Protect ‘National Interests’

CNSNews ^ | 6/13/11 | Matt Cover

[CNSNews]

(CNSNews.com) - CIA Director Leon Panetta, who President Barack Obama has nominated to be secretary of Defense, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that he believes the president can unilaterally use military force, without congressional authorization to “protect our national interests.”

Panetta’s claim of broad unilateral presidential power to initiate U.S. military action absent an attack or imminent threat to the United States came in response to a question from Sen. John McCain—who said he agreed with Panetta.

The U.S. is now involved militarily in Libya even though Congress has never authorized that involvement.

[Terry Mross]

The proper response that has anything to do with democrats is:

They can do anything they want.

The proper response that has anything to do with Obama is:

He can do anything he wants.

[Reagan Man]

Leon Panetta the political hack shows us how the old double standard works.

Iraq, bad. Libya, good.
Cheney, bad. Biden, good.
Bush, bad. Obama, good.

Twilight zone politics.

[Lockbox]

What are our national interests in Libya?

Where are all the discussions about:

WHAT ARE OUR EXIT PLANS?

WHAT GOVERNMENT DO WE INSTALL AFTER THE FALL?

MOVE TO WAR TO FAST?

Etc.?

[Truth29]

Panetta will be the SecDef when Obama decides to impose a blockade/no fly zone on Israel to protect the innocent Palestinians...

[SMARTY]

THAT'S OK with me. When we finally get a Conservative in the WH, who actually knows what the f*&^ end is up, we will CERTAINLY remind these Liberals of the statement Panetta makes... the rest of the f&^%(*g world can be on notice TOO!!!

How's that?

[Col Frank Slade]

Gee that's funny. Pres can use unilateral force in natl interest.

I guess Panetta didn't cc Bush on that policy memo.

sarc /

[sniper63]

Ummmm no, what national interests do we have in Libya? If the president can do that, how did Castro take Cuba when sugar plantations where owned by american corporations. This guy is rube.

[Psalm 144]

“What are our national interests in Libya?”

For this administration, the general political, material and financial support of whatever is the most extreme jihadist faction in any Moslem dog fight.

“Before the revolt, Hadn’t Bush cowed Qaddafi into behaving himself?”

Reagan initiated Qaddafi’s ‘reality check’. To their credit, both Bush administrations kept it up. In recent years, however reluctantly, Qaddafi had been assisting on the US efforts against jihadists. I am sure that Qaddafi’s recent cooperation is why the present occupation in Washington is working towards his death or overthrow.

[MichaelP]

Name me the item of "National Interest" that we're fighting for in Libya? The oil was already flowing freely; it isn't now, thanks to Obama and Nato...

Mike

[econjack]

Ask him to give a lecture on the Wars Powers Act without a teleprompter. That ought to get him going...

[NWFLConservative]

And what, pray-tell, exactly ARE our interests in Libya? If that utter waste of real estate should get swallowed up by the earth today, how would it affect this country one little bit? Are those crickets I hear chirping? No Leo, the president just CAN'T do whatever the eff he wants without consulting Congress, when it comes to putting our troops in harm's way. If you would bother to READ THE CONSTITUTION, you would know that.

Panetta is as big a stupid, out of touch with reality, jackass as his queer loving predecessor.

[The Bronze Titan]

Wasn’t Panetta’s party ready to draft articles of impeachment against Nixon for doing just that?

[expatpat]

Our war with Oceania continues....War is Peace!

[God luvs America]

No Blood For Oil!!!!

We Are Creating More Terrorists!!!!

where are all those people today???

[rollo tomasi]

[McGruff]

Somebody please explain how Protect ‘National Interests’ apply to Libya?

[exit82]

In one more week, it will be three months since we started our war in Libya against a madman in a desert hellhole.

Some “kinetic military action”.

The Russians and Chinese must be laughing at us.

This war should have been over in a week.

Including a weekend off.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Posse Comitatus becomes Commie Pissesonallofus...

[WayneS]

[chirp... chirp... chirp... chirp...]

Well will you listen to that? The crickets are out early today...

[Pecos]

Proving once again that the Left has no problem with gunboat diplomacy as long as it’s THEIR gunboats.