[Cicero]

I don't understand the problem. According to the Constitution, the President is the Commander in Chief and therefore runs the war. Congress declares it. In other words, they tell the President, "OK, go to it!"

As to whether a formal declaration of war is needed, that's up to congress. We have fought quite a few wars over the years without a formal declaration.

[Cboldt]

Tongue firmly in cheek here (thinking like SCONJ):

Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to "declare War . . .", but nowhere does it say that the president can't, nor does it say that the Congress has the sole authority.

On a more serious note, the question of "war" is not black-and-white. Is our policing of the no-fly zone "war?" Why or why not? Can hostilities be initiated without a declaration of war? How long can military action be maintained without a declaration of war? See Korea and Viet Nam. Also, nowhere does it say that a Congressional declaration, should one be forthcoming, be unanimous. Many well-reasoned people were opposed to the Revolutionary War (they were wrong-headed, IMO, but that is another discussion)