Seriously, who says you can't run a war by committee?

Question

I want to know. Is it because of the amount of time it would take to make a decision? Is this a phrase a famous general once said? We'll all be hearing it a lot over the next couple of weeks but is it really true? Obviously a committee of 600+ lawmakers is a bit ridiculous, but no commmittee at all? What do you think?

You're right, the Constitution says the Prez is the commander in chief. the Prez is the one who makes the call, my question is, why wouldn't it work as opposed to why isn't it allowed.

I mean why wouldn't it work as opposed to why isn't it required. I guess the President could allow it if he wanted, just no one can force him.

Answer 1

A committee of one is called a ruler . The president only has the authority to declare war and order troops to battle for a limited number of days . I have been reading the war powers act and I am not sure that since Bush landed on the deck of that aircraft carrier and opened his big mouth and declared victory in Iraq that he clearly has the power to continue to treat this as a war .That congress has the power to bring home the troops without presidential approval or his support .
He can stomp his feet and jump up and down but Mission accomplished was a clear statement to the fact that we had won the war . Lets get the troops out .
Standing them in between any two people in the Middle East is bound to cause another war . Keeping troops in hostile territory is not recommended and that is way the troops need to be recalled . They did the job and need to return home .

Answer 2

It would not work because you could never get 100% agreement. Someone has to be in charge. Yes, time is a factor but also task, purpose, method and effect would be different for each person in the committee. Not to mention that we should probably stick to the Constitution as our guide. The answer is the Constitution says we have 1 commander and chief not a war committee.

Answer 3

I don't, where should I start the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, every commmander in the field. Oh and by the way the Constitution of the of the United States of America, which endows the President as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, not Congress, not a committee, just one man/woman and the generals and subordinates placed under them. We did a war by committee once, it was called Vietnam oh and by the way the Democrats sent us on that one and the Democrats escalated that one.

Answer 4

Mr. Cheney also said, "This is an existential conflict. It is the kind of conflict that's going to drive our policy and our governent for the next 20, 30, or 40 years. We have to prevail and we have to have the stomach for the fight long term".

Does he realize that continued monumental failues in foreign policy will inevitably lead to world war?

Answer 5

It takes a vote of congress to have a war,they control the money.The prez can have a police action but thats thin ice.,All THEM fools voted for the war sorry.

Answer 6

No one wins in a war, by any means available. And every mother, wife, and daughter and son loose's. Honestly, I think 89% of the world population is retarded. 60% is in politic's

Answer 7

Padme. She was not willing watch her people suffer and die while the rest of them discussed it in a committee. If it was good enough for the mother of Luke it is good enough for me!

Notice she changed her tune after Bush declared himself emperor- I mean Palpatine...

Answer 8

Well Bush has certainly shown he can't run a war by fiat.

Answer 9

The constitution does.The us and un ones both.

Answer 10

who says you this?