Even as he lobbies former Congressional colleagues to vote “yes” on military action against Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry intimates the president can act even if Congress says “no.”
Speaking to the Huffington Post on September 5, Kerry said:
Constitutionally, every president, Republican and Democrat alike, has always reserved to the presidency, to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the right to make a decision with respect to American security. Bill Clinton went to Kosovo over the objections of many people and saved lives and managed to make peace because he did something that was critical at that time. Many presidents have done that… A lot of presidents have made a decision that they have to protect the nation.
Similarly, Kerry said “Obama reserves the right in the presidency to respond as appropriate to protect the security of our nation.”
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.
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