Dennis Kucinich Praises Bush, Slams Obama on Libya

[ProSense]

Dennis Kucinich Praises Bush, Slams Obama on Libya

By John Hudson

In today's Twilight Zone moment, liberal stalwart Dennis Kucinich praised former President George W. Bush while slamming President Barack Obama for his handling of the conflict in Libya. This morning, the anti-war congressman took to C-SPAN to harangue Obama for dragging the U.S. into another war, while noting that Bush at least formally consulted Congress about the Iraq War prior to the U.S.-led invasion. "President Bush came to Congress ... President Obama doesn't feel like he needs to come to Congress," Kucinich said. "That's why we need to go to court... We cannot continue to escalate these wars... the American people by and large want us out of Libya." On Wednesday, Kucinich and nine other members of Congress filed suit against the administration for not seeking authorization from Congress with regards to the war effort. He explained the rationale for his suit today with the following remarks:

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Actions on Libya: February 23 - June 15

[ProSense]

No comment? n/t

[DCBob]

1. I guess DK knows his days are numbered.. so might as well go out guns blazing..

nothing to lose.. except making it more and more clear he is a lunatic.

[Wilms]

2. Here's what Kucinich said about bush. "President Bush came to Congress".

And you call that praise?

[JuniperLea]

4. No, kpete didn't call it that... the author of the piece did...

Unless you were addressing the author of the piece rhetorically... in that case... never mind:)

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

12. "kpete would never post such nonsense."

I didn't write it.

:rofl:

[City Lights]

16. But you did post it.

:rofl:

[scarletwoman]

17. No you didn't write it, you only made sure to pass it on.

[ProSense]

20. Criticizing Obama, Kucinich credits Bush for asking Congress to go to war

Criticizing Obama, Kucinich credits Bush for asking Congress to go to war

It's indirect praise. It's: At least Bush came to Congress.

It's BS.

[Cali_Democrat]

25. It's not indirect praise

It's statement of fact. Bush got Congressional authorization, Obama has so far failed to do so.

[ProSense]

31. Bush got Congressional authorization, Obama has so far failed to do so.

Nonsense. Obama doesn't control Congressional voting.

Obama asks Congress for a resolution of support on Libya

Nothing is stopping Congress from exercising its Constitutional authority.

[Cali_Democrat]

34. Obama has asked for authorization for military action in Libya...but has he recieved it yet?

No. Bush got authorization.

[ProSense]

38. So Obama is supposed to do Congress' job? n/t

[Cali_Democrat]

43. No. Obama is supposed to get Congressional authorization...which he has failed to do

Asking for authorization and receiving authorization is not the same thing. Obama has asked for authorization, but he has yet to receive.

[ProSense]

45. Wait

"Asking for authorization and receiving authorization is not the same thing. Obama has asked for authorization, but he has yet to receive."

So he asked for authorization and Congress hasn't acted so it's Obama's fault?

Really?

[Cali_Democrat]

52. Again....this is not about finding fault.

The process is what it is and it's spelled out in the war powers act.

Congress is a separate branch of government. They do their own thing.

Obama needs authorization for military action which must specifically come from Congress and that has yet to happen.

[ProSense]

54. "Again....this is not about finding fault."

Then why is Kucinich suing Obama?

"Obama needs authorization for military action which must specifically come from Congress and that has yet to happen."

Don't you think it's about time Congress does its job?

[Cali_Democrat]

56. "Then why is Kucinich suing Obama?"

Because Obama has failed to get Congressional authorization for the war in Libya.

[ProSense]

57. "Because Obama has failed to get Congressional authorization for the war in Libya."

He asked for it. Did Congress vote?

There are 435 members of the House, including more than 190 Democrats. Did they vote?

[Cali_Democrat]

59. Just because he asked for congressional authorization, it does not mean he has received it

If Congress didn't even vote, then obviously he hasn't received authorization.

[ProSense]

68. Here

FYI

[Cali_Democrat]

70. That is not a congressional authorization for military action in Libya. n/t

[ProSense]

72. What is it?

A wasted vote? Did Kucinich's resolution pass?

[Cali_Democrat]

75. It's certainly not a congressional authorization for military action in Libya. n/t

[Abq_Sarah]

51. That's not the same as getting authorization under the WPA

President Obama has clearly stated he believes he doesn't need to ask Congress for permission.

[tekisui]

99. The WH, though Koh claims they don't need no stinking Congress.

As long as no Americans are in harms way, it ain't a war. Sick mentality, nationalism at its worst.

[GSLevel9]

60. a reasonable voice, thank you in a sea of fan-boys(girls) nt

[Odin2005]

124. That poster is clearly a paid shill, no use arguing with her.

just constantly point out that she is a shill so people ignore her.

[frylock]

32. the bruins won the stanley cup..

is that praise, or a statement of fact?

[frylock]

30. and have a positive opinion on it..

but no no no, i didn't write it. :eyes:

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[krabigirl]

3. he didn't praise Bush, he merely told the truth.

[ProSense]

5. Told the truth?

What's the truth: Bush came to Congress so Kucinich supported his impeachment?

He's suing Obama. Why didn't he sue Bush?

[krabigirl]

36. It is the truth. Bush came to Congress, Kucinich voted NO. Not making a value judgment here.

[flvegan]

7. Funny how that just sorta...gets past some folks, eh?

[frylock]

10. maybe DK would get a little more respect around here if tweeted pix of his dick..

funny how kucinich is a grandstander, while weiner is a hero to the masses.

[krabigirl]

39. I kinda think the same people who freaked out over Weiner's weiner are the Kucinich haters too.

[frylock]

123. the pic didn't freak me out, but his fabrications of being hacked show him to be untrustworthy..

i also didn't think he needed to retire. big kucinich fan here.

[GSLevel9]

61. great post... every day I'm convinced this site is NOT run by zombies. nt

[krabigirl]

40. it is.

[Springer9]

6. Gonna need one of these Dennis

[frylock]

8. stating that bush actually went to congress is hardly praise..

why don't you go ahead and tell us what it was that kucinich said that he is wrong about?

[ProSense]

9. "why don't you go ahead and tell us what it was that kucinich said that he is wrong about?"

"President Obama doesn't feel like he needs tocome to" Congress

Bush came to Congress and Kucinich supported his impeachment.

What's the significance of his coming to Congress?

[frylock]

13. kucinich is anti-war. period. full stop..

he clearly doesn't give a fuck if you have a D or R behind your name. it's called consistancy. maybe he'll call for obama's impeachment as well.

so i'll ask again; where is the "praise" for bush?

[ProSense]

15. "it's called consistancy. "

He's suing Obama.

He sued Clinton, who unlike Obama ignored Congress even after they voted against the Kosovo war.

Why didn't he sue Bush?

Not very consistent!

Does he only sue Democrats?

[Curmudgeoness]

21. If you will remember, Bush actually did get permission from Congress

to attack Iraq in the event it was warranted. The Dems voted for this also, because they were sucked into the OMG WMDs and terrorists and all the other scare tactics. The vote was not exactly to "go to war", just to give permission to Bush to proceed with war if events required. If was proposed that they did not want to have to wait for Congress to react in case of emergency. Then Bush immediately attacked Iraq. Not what anyone had in mind when they voted, but there you go---they did give him the authority to act.

[ProSense]

26. Hmmm?

"If you will remember, Bush actually did get permission from Congress to attack Iraq in the event it was warranted."

Was is warranted?

[girl gone mad]

44. "Was is warranted?"

What?

[ProSense]

48. " What?"

This

[Curmudgeoness]

50. No, it was not warranted. But the point is, he did get the permission.

Unfortunately, with the climate of the country at that moment, Congress was more than willing to put the power of war into Bush's hands instead of their own. As I remember it, I figured that they were all afraid of voting it down and looking like they were soft on terrorism. Their bad.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

33. That's

a really lame argument.

[girl gone mad]

46. Whereas "Was is warranted?" and "Fuck Nader" are shining bits of rhetorical brilliance.

:rofl:

[EFerrari]

35. (Omg, they got frylock.)

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cali_Democrat]

14. What did he want to impeach Bush for?

Coming to Congress for war authorization (something Obama has failed to do for Libya) or lying about WMD and invading Iraq under false pretenses?

[ProSense]

19. Hmmmm?

"Coming to Congress for war authorization (something Obama has failed to do for Libya) or lying about WMD and invading Iraq under false pretenses?"

What difference does it make? Why bother claiming that Bush went to Congress when he turned around and lied to them violating the authorization.

Obama went to Congress, several times. What Congress has failed to do is vote. Kucinich needs to take it up with Congressional leadership.

Until Congress votes to authorize or reject the mission, Kucinich doesn't have a leg to stand on.

[Cali_Democrat]

22. What difference does it make? A huge difference.

In your OP, Kucinich is hardly praising Bush. He only mentions the fact that he actually came to Congress while Obama never did.

Kucinich's impeachment had nothing to do with Congressional authorization for war. It has to do with lying about WMD and invading Iraq under false pretenses.

Also, under the War powers act, Congress must specifically authorize the action in Libya or it is illegal. That's why he's suing Obama.

[ProSense]

24. "Congress while Obama never did" Ah

bullshit

Bush launched a war sending tens of thousands of American soldiers into Iraq illegal. Who gives a shit if he went to Congress if he violated the terms of the authorization?

[Cali_Democrat]

28. Congress has yet to specifically authorize military action in Libya

[ProSense]

37. Why haven't they voted?

What stopped them from voting on the resolutions in the House and Senate?

[Cali_Democrat]

47. Why they haven't voted is not the issue.

The issue is that they haven't voted and haven't yet given Obama authorization for military action in Libya.

[ProSense]

49. Hmmm?

"The issue is that they haven't voted and haven't yet given Obama authorization for military action in Libya."

Have they voted to demand he end the involvement?

[Cali_Democrat]

53. That's not how the process works.

It's Obama that must get initial Congressional approval for the military action in the first place. He has failed to do that.

[ProSense]

55. Actually

"It's Obama that must get initial Congressional approval for the military action in the first place. He has failed to do that."

...wrong, double wrong.

[Cali_Democrat]

58. Where is the specific Congressional authorization for military action in Libya?

:shrug:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

63. Did you miss the vote? It was 1-0 against the separation of powers.

[Cali_Democrat]

65. Indeed

:)

[ProSense]

66. Did Kucinich

forget his own vote in support of this: House Votes on Libya

The House today approved a non-binding resolution expressing bipartisan frustration on Libya, demanding that President Obama give Congress a variety of information about U.S. involvement in the NATO mission against the Qaddafi regime.

Lawmakers also defeated a resolution offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), which would have forced a withdrawal from that mission within 15 days.

The two votes avoided the direct issue of whether the Congress should authorize this mission or not.

Here are the vote breakdowns - first is the Boehner resolution which was approved, then the Kucinich plan.

<...>

[Cali_Democrat]

71. That is not a congressional authorization for military action in Libya. n/t

[ProSense]

73. What is it?

Is it a resolution on Libya? Did it call on the President to end involvement?

[Cali_Democrat]

76. It's certainly not a congressional authorization for military action in Libya. n/t

[joshcryer]

86. What? The War Powers Act gives *specific timelines* for them to act.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode50/usc_sec_50_00001545----000-.html

(a) Time requirement; referral to Congressional committee; single report

Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to section 1544 (b) of this title at least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and such committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together with its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.

(b) Pending business; vote
Any joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the time for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and the opponents), and shall be voted on within three calendar days thereafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.

(c) Referral to other House committee
Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be referred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (a) of this section and shall be reported out not later than fourteen calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in section 1544 (b) of this title. The joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question and shall be voted on within three calendar days after it has been reported, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.

[Cali_Democrat]

89. You're confused about the 60-day period

The 60-day period isn't the the time frame given to Congress to act. It's the time frame in which the President needs specific congressional authorization..

Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 1543 (a)(1) of this title, whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress
(1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces,
(2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or
(3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.

Congress isn't required to do anything. It's the President that must receive the authorization for military action from Congress.

[joshcryer]

92. No, you don't understand, you haven't read the full statute. The President has 60 days.

The Congress has 36-45 days.

[Cali_Democrat]

95. Wrong again....Congress doesn't have to do anything

read the whole thing

[joshcryer]

98. I have. You apparently think that congressional priority procedures are irrelevant.

[Cali_Democrat]

102. You seem to think the the war powers act is irrelevant

[joshcryer]

105. No, I condemn the Congress for failing to act under it while Obama followed it fully.

[Cali_Democrat]

108. Congress doesn't have to do anything

The President is the one that needs it in order to continue to engage in hostilities.

[joshcryer]

109. Congress *must* form a committee. The President *withdrew hostilities*.

[Cali_Democrat]

111. We are still engaged in hostilities in Libya.

[joshcryer]

114. This is false. Provide proof. Provide evidence.

[Cali_Democrat]

117. Can I make any more clear to you?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1311089&mesg_id=1312415

[joshcryer]

120. Providing no evidence whatsoever as per usual for dishonest people.

[joshcryer]

82. Correct, the GOP congress had around 45 days to do so, and they did not, not even started to do so.

It helps their argument that Obama withdrew within 12 days, but it shows the lying double standard they have. They were supposed to set up a War Powers committee (I call it a "Libya Hostilities committee"). They didn't do it.

[Cali_Democrat]

84. "They didn't do it."

Exactly.

There is still no specific congressional authorization for military action in Libya.

[joshcryer]

88. No, the Congress is required to decide whether or not to authorize. It's plain and simple.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode50/usc_sec_50_00001545----000-.html

(a) Time requirement; referral to Congressional committee; single report
Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to section 1544 (b) of this title at least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and such committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together with its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.

You don't know what you're talking about. Kerry tried to get a concurrent resolution going but the House wouldn't budge.

[Cali_Democrat]

90. Wrong....

Congress doesn't have to do anything....

Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 1543 (a)(1) of this title, whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress
(1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces,
(2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or
(3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.

[joshcryer]

93. He had "specific statutory authorization" via the UN Authorization Act. Don't try to fool me.

[Cali_Democrat]

97. Nope....

UN authorization is not specific military authorization from congress.

Nice try though.

[joshcryer]

101. He didn't extend hostilities beyond 60 days. Operation Odyssey Dawn was 12 days.

[Cali_Democrat]

104. We are still engaged militarily in Libya

And still no congressional authorization.

[joshcryer]

106. That is false. Provide evidence of that. We have a logistic role but no hostile role. Period.

[Cali_Democrat]

110. US drones and other assets have conducted strikes against Qadaffi's forces. n/t

[joshcryer]

112. Provide evidence that the US is in hostilities in Libya. One link will suffice. You won't be able...

...to because you're spreading false and misleading information.

[Cali_Democrat]

115. We are still engaged in hostilities in Libya.

[joshcryer]

116. Repeating untrue information does not magically make it true. I'm done with this.

[Cali_Democrat]

119. Read carefully

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1311089&mesg_id=1312415

[joshcryer]

80. That is false, the War Powers Act gives statutatory authorization to act within 60 days.

Obama did it in 12 days at the cost of 1000x less than Bush's illegal wars.

[Cali_Democrat]

83. Here's what it says....

Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 1543 (a)(1) of this title, whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress
(1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces,
(2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or
(3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.

60 calendar days has passed and Congress has yet to declare war or authorize force. The war in Libya must be terminated according to the WPA

[joshcryer]

87. That's only part of the War Powers Act.

(a) Time requirement; referral to Congressional committee; single report

Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to section 1544 (b) of this title at least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and such committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together with its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.

[Cali_Democrat]

91. Wrong again....Congress doesn't have to do anything

Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 1543 (a)(1) of this title, whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress
(1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces,
(2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or
(3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.


It's Obama that must get authorization.

[joshcryer]

94. He had "specific statutory authorization" under UNSC 1973.

[joshcryer]

96. And after Operation Odyssey Dawn completed after *12 days* he "ended hostilities."

Congress didn't even begin to start their priority procedures.

[Cali_Democrat]

100. The US armed forces still engaed in military action in Libya

without confessional authorization. 60 days is up.

[joshcryer]

103. That is patently false. Show one action of US armed forces militarily acting in Libya.

A link would suffice.

[Cali_Democrat]

107. LOL

What are we doing there? Dropping flowers on Qadaffi's forces?:rofl:

[joshcryer]

113. We are not doing anything, NATO and EU forces are. The US itself has no troops acting in Libya.

Provide proof that we are engaging, the United States, in hostilities with Libya.

[Cali_Democrat]

118. You still don't get it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1311089&mesg_id=1312415

[joshcryer]

79. His war authorization was predicated on treasonous lies.

He should've been impeached, arrested, charged, and jailed with treason.

[Cali_Democrat]

81. No disagreement there. n/t

[FLAprogressive]

18. What a misleading headline.

[Desertrose]

23. Facts do not add up to "praise".

Just sayin'...truth is truth.

[scarletwoman]

29. Exactly. Truth is truth.

Facts are facts.

[Zorra]

69. Yes, that's pretty hard to dispute.

:shrug:
:hi:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

42. He's not praising Bush, he's damning Obama for dragging the U.S. into another needless war.

[Brianboru]

67. And let's not forget Yemen.

0bama has started TWO new wars, and hasn't ended any.

[Harmony Blue]

85. Exactly

I even have to admit the headline is in a way misleading.

[ZombieHorde]

64. Posting this hyperbole is beneath you.

Or at least it is beneath what I think of you, since I think highly of you.

[Odin2005]

125. She's just doing what gets her paid.

[ZombieHorde]

126. Well the economy is tight right now, so I can forgive that. nt

[Major Hogwash]

74. Good for DK. Maybe he can stop Obama from invading Iran.

That's another country on the PNAC "hit list".

[bluestate10]

77. Kucinich infinitely out of touch? Who would have guessed? nt

[joshcryer]

78. Better headline: Kucinich says Bush's illegal authorization is better than Obama's legal actions.

Bush lied to congress to get approval, Bush did not have the support of the international community. Obama acted within the War Powers act, followed it to the tee, sent them a letter and everything. The Congress failed to implement priority procedures (they were supposed to set up a Libya Hostilities committee in around 45 days to determine whether or not Obama needed further approval, which he wouldn't have after he wound down the campaign after 12 days). Obama even welcomes the Congress to act within the War Powers Act, but because it is GOP controlled and because GOPers know that some liberals are easily fooled, they stalled and ignored it completely in order to trump up these false charges later on.

[amborin]

121. don't falsely impugn Kucinch; otherwise, how come Obama praised Reagan?

[Odin2005]

122. Your spin is fucking disgusting.

This shit reminds me of Rove's lies and half-truths.

[whatchamacallit]

127. Another steaming pant-load. unrec n/t