January 10, 2007

Democrats Plan Symbolic Votes Against Iraq Plan - New York Times

Democrats Plan Symbolic Votes Against Iraq Plan - New York Times:


Here you have it. Symbolism trumps substance for politicians. If Congress is serious about withdrawing from Iraq, they'd best take back their Constitutional authority to wage war.

( [credits to WikiPedia] "Sometimes referred to as the War Powers Clause, the United States Constitution, Article One, Section 8, Clause 11, vests in the Congress the exclusive power to declare war.

Five wars have been declared in American history: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Some historians argue that the legal doctrines and legislation passed during the operations against Pancho Villa constitute a sixth declaration of war."


"Democratic leaders said Tuesday that they intended to hold symbolic votes in the House and Senate on President Bush’s plan to send more troops to Baghdad, forcing Republicans to take a stand on the proposal and seeking to isolate the president politically over his handling of the war"

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