Should The President Have Sought Out The Blessing Of Congress Before Attacking Libya?

When Obama was a presidential candidate, he publically opposed the declaration of war without congressional assent. Those that did not know this already almost certainly do now if they have a Twitter account, as the President's detractors have been flooding the internet with angry cries of "hypocrite" after British, French and American jets bombed strategic targets across Libya on Sunday. According to reports however, Congress did not expect to be consulted. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was quick to point out that he did not feel the President had broken any rules. "I'd gladly vote on what he did, " said Graham. "I think it's inherent within the authority of the commander-in-chief to take such action. We have been overly cautious, unnervingly indecisive. This thing melted down. I wish we would have acted sooner. I don't feel a need to bless this action before he took it. I'd be glad to vote on it afterwards. " Democrat Senator Jack Reed agreed. "The president should notify under War Powers Act, like all his predecessors who'd probably say it doesn't apply, " said Reed. "But I think he will know the powers. That gives us the opportunity to review what he's done. Like Lindsey, if there's a proposal coming before the Congress, then I would have no difficulty in supporting the actions to date. " So, whether Obama is contradicting himself or not, both parties in Congress agree that the President is within his power in weakening Gaddafi's military capabilities and reducing the risk of genocide.