[IMR 4350]

“Only in the case of in-bound nuclear missiles would that be impracticable, all other situations would allow some sort of staff meeting even if by video.”

You mean like Somalia 1993 where Clinton wasn't able to make a decision without discussing it with his staff first?

You're right, it was only our troops lives on the line waiting for Clinton and his staff to reach a decision. Nothing so important that couldn't wait right?

[garybob]

You're right, it was only our troops lives on the line waiting for Clinton and his staff to reach a decision. Nothing so important that couldn't wait right?

Clinton was too arrogant and military loathing to give his commanders on the ground the authority to do what was necessary. Trying to run Somalia from Washington cost lives just as trying to run the Vietnam War cost lives. You're confusing possible scenarios for staff meetings. I learned long ago that if the commander needed to get a rifle and join in the firefight, things were really really bad.

Bottom line: you can't conceive of a cogent reason why a President would need to reach a decision without a staff meeting. No one has all the answers and anyone who tells you he does is either stupid or assumes that you are.