can the president declare war if congress is undecided?

Answer 1

No. Only Congress has that power in our government. The President can ask or recommend it. The congress has the responsibility to make sure it is the right thing to do. The congress can also stopit anytime they want to.

Answer 2

Don't be so naive, people. The answer is Yes.

Because the President can ignore the Constitution and get away with it.

Because Congress will impeach a man for lying about extramarital sex, but will let a man off for lying about the reasons for going to war.

Because Americans are fat and lazy and apathetic and will no longer march in the streets to demand that the Government act in a moral, ethical manner.

As long as we can have - 24/7/365 - BS news about celebrities and athletes, the president can do what he damn well pleases.

Answer 3

Article I, Section 8; #11 of our U.S. Constitution states:
"The Congress shall have the power to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water."

Only Congress can declare war. Bush's 'war' in Iraq is therefore unconstitutional, illegal, unjustified and immoral.
Only an impotent Congress, such as the last incompetent, contemptible, arrogant, cowardly, corrupt Republican-led Congress - which turned its back while Bush ran rip shod over our Constitution - will allow a President to do whatever he feels like;
Only an impotent Congress such as the current incompetent, contemptible, arrogant, cowardly, corrupt Democratic-led Congress - which promised to end this 'war' and has done nothing to keep that promise - wil allow a President to do whatever he feels like.
In both situations, Congress has violated its charter, shirked its responsibility, and failed the American people. Surely there is an oil-soaked, blood-stained corner of Hell reserved for all of these cretins. May God damn them all!
-RKO- 08/12/07

Answer 4

No.

Article I Section 8 gives Congress exclusive power to declare war, and to fund and regulate the armed forces.

See also the War Powers Act of 1973, which further limits actions by the executive branch without Congressional approval.

Answer 5

No he can't "declare war" BUT he can launch military actions as he see fit (that would be an unofficial war but still a "de facto" war).

The declaration of war is just a formality and after starting the hostilities, the president has 60 days to ask the Congress.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Clause

Answer 6

Yes, a president can declare war for 90 days with out the consent of congress, then he has to go to congress for an official congressional act (bill) of war to proceed (fund) with it.

Bush 41 did it with Desert Storm

Answer 7

No. It's part of the 'checks and balance' process. However, declaring war these days seems to be a moot point.

Answer 8

Easily. Don't call it a war. Vietnam was called a Police action

Answer 9

Yes, if the threat to our American interests is imminint.

Answer 10

no