If it is a matter of national security, then the President acts to protect the country. He does not call his lawyer first to get permission.
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If it is a question of bombing or invading another country, a President does not tell the world on an afternoon debate what he is going to do.
OHHHHH! Romney made a small crack on Thompson.
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If it is a matter of national security, then the President acts to protect the country. He does not call his lawyer first to get permission.
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Yes, you are correct, maica, and so was Romney. Brices has not thought this through. The Constitution does not permit the President to make spontaneous war on countries. The Constitution, not the President, is the law.
The question is whether or not the Iraq war authorization can properly extend to Iran. A President who is interested in the well being of the US does not capriciously flout the Constitution by taking casual action. He must consult the legal advisors as to whether or not he is authorized to act. To fail in this responsibility would be to gut the intent of the Constitution with respect to war making powers.
Romney gave an excellent answer. Brilliant, actually, because in the pressure of that moment it would be far to easy to wave a hand and ignore the US Constitution. He chose not to.