Pay Heed to Sen. Kaine, Mr. Obama

The U.S. Constitution makes it clear: Only Congress can declare war on behalf of the American people. The president, of course, is the commander in chief of the military, with commanders reporting to the executive branch.

But when it comes to committing the American people to war, only Congress — the people’s branch — can take that step.

In the latter half of the 20th century, as conflicts morphed from country vs. country to regional hotspots and flare-ups and after the debacle of Vietnam, both Democratic and Republican presidents chafed at the restraints of the War Powers Act, requiring notification of Congress and congressional sign-off on committing of U.S. troops. But joining with Congress and, by extension, the American people, any president’s position is ultimately strengthened when dealing with threats to America or world security.

Which is why we wish President Obama would heed the advice of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia’s junior senator, to seek congressional approval of his recently announced campaign against ISIS. Sadly, it seems as if the president has decided to take the path many of his predecessors did and keep Congress in the loop only to the most minimalist interpretation of the Constitution and the law.

President Obama, we believe, is dead on in his roadmap to taking out the Islamist terror group that has beheaded two American journalists, has committed horrific war crimes against fellow Muslims and represents a threat to the stability of the entire Middle East.

But.

Make no mistake about, ISIS (or ISIL or the Islamic State) is as dangerous a terror organization as al-Qaida was at its zenith.

The group has taken control of large portions of northeastern Syria and western Iraq, with its leader actually declaring the long sought-after caliphate. Captured Syrian and Lebanese soldiers and fighters taking part in the Syrian civil war have been summarily executed. Civilians in cities ISIS controls have been terrorized by implementation of the harshest version of Sharia law, with punishments including public stonings. And international hostages have been beheaded.

The threat the group poses to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region, both an international tinderbox and a key pillar to the global economy, is existential. Europe, where many radicalized Muslims in its ranks hale from, sees a serious threat. And make no doubt, ISIS harbors no love whatsoever for the U.S. If we dismiss that threat to America, we do so at our own peril, as we found out 13 years after years of writing off al-Qaida as a “Muslim problem.”

But there will be a heavy American presence in the fight. At least 500 military “advisers” will be on the ground, working with local state and non-state players. Americans will be piloting the jet fighters on bombing missions into the lands controlled by ISIS in support of anti-ISIS warriors, not to mention the opening of a new front in the drone war.

Taking out ISIS won’t be done overnight, as many military experts think it could last well into the term of the next president. It won’t be easy. And it won’t be without costs — either in dollars or, God forbid, human lives.

Which is all the more reason for President Obama to heed the advice of his fellow Democrat, ally and longtime friend Tim Kaine: Go to Congress, ask it to buy into the mission on behalf of the American people and enter this fight united as a country.

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