Today's Top Opinion: Sen. Kaine calls for war-powers clarity
Journalists occasionally joke that public figures “commit news.” On Tuesday Sen. Tim Kaine committed clarity and civility. The Virginia Democrat addressed The Times-Dispatch’s Public Square on war powers.
He opened with a history of war-making; he spoke of the constitutional roles played by the president and the Congress. The Constitution identifies the president as the commander-in-chief and vests in Congress the power to declare war. Kaine explained that Congress has formally declared war five times in the nation’s history, while presidents have initiated 120 military actions. Many of those interventions received authorizations or endorsement (sometimes explicit, sometimes not) after the fact, he added.
The discussion proceeded along two fronts. Kaine addressed war powers generally and the situation regarding the Islamic State specifically. The two arguments complemented each other. Kaine’s commitment to congressional prerogatives informs his assertions that Congress must authorize strikes against ISIL. The resolutions authorizing the war against terror (al-Qaida) and the invasion of Iraq do not apply to the Islamic State’s clear and present danger.
Kaine cited Jefferson when commenting on war powers. Jefferson contended with the Barbary Pirates, who preyed upon U.S. shipping and naval forces off the coast of North Africa. Jefferson said that as president he possessed the power to order defensive actions. If the pirates attacked American vessels, he could order the ships to return fire — indeed to take the fight to the aggressors. But if the U.S. preferred to engage in offensive operations, the president would need congressional approval.
A similar standard should apply today. If an Islamic State — a revived caliphate — would threaten American peace and tranquility (and we believe it would), then at this stage a war against ISIL still would qualify as an offensive endeavor. ISIL’s warriors are targeting sites in Syria and Iraq. Its sympathizers have beheaded Americans. Retaliation for atrocities might qualify as defensive in nature, but the campaigns contemplated by the Obama administration and other countries stress the offensive option. Kaine said he would vote to authorize war against the Islamic State if the U.S. assembled a legitimate coalition of allies.
Questions followed the opening presentation. Most were informed and to the point. Attendees spoke with vigor but were not disputatious. The session overall radiated good will. Virginians might not agree with all of Kaine’s senatorial votes, but regarding war powers he has earned their trust. National security and foreign policy define the federal government’s principal obligations. As he demonstrated Tuesday, Kaine lives up to expectations.
###