[summer]

Because the job of CinC has less autonomy than the Presidency, and because its a different job than President, my final contention is that the assertion that functioning as CinC broadens the President's powers is, to use a technical term, hooey.

Maybe you're right, and if so, I hope this matter reaches the courts and the courts agree with you.

On the other hand, there is part of me still sympathetic, in a way, to whomever is currently our nation's CinC, because I do not want that person to be hampered in carrying out the very difficult decisions and tasks required of that person.

I would hope that person and Congress could agree on the best course of action in whatever instance, and that politics might be put aside for such an important matter as defending our nation. Unfortunately, politics always seems to get in the way...

[Grut]

On the other hand, there is part of me still sympathetic, in a way, to whomever is currently our nation's CinC, because I do not want that person to be hampered in carrying out the very difficult decisions and tasks required of that person.

As a practical matter, insisting that all the rules be obeyed all the time invites paralysis -- and not just in military matters. But a little 'practical' cheating is one thing, and claiming the wholesale invalidation of the rules is another.