[Gadsden1st]

Man, your “back end of story” had me there, until you made the big mistake. I am sure VJ could have give the CBA if she had wanted to.

[PIF]

No mistake. There are methods to ensure that only the POTUS can give that order - sort of like the nuclear launch codes. VJ simply could not do it, even if she wanted to, or had access.

Speaking more to you point, VJ could make the easy political calculation that it would be easier to do nothing and spin the result as part of the reelection line to the LIVs of POTUS single-handed elimination of AQ and OBL. The POTUS did not get the Nobel Peace prize for nothing, you know.

But glad I aroused your interest.