2001 Memo Reveals Push for Broader Presidential Powers

msnbc.msn.com ^ | Dec. 18, 2004 | Michael Isikoff

[crushelits]

A Justice Department lawyer may have been laying the groundwork
for the Iraq invasion long before it was discussed publicly by the White House.

Just two weeks after the September 11 attacks, a secret memo to White House counsel Alberto Gonzales’ office concluded that President Bush had the power to deploy military force “preemptively” against any terrorist groups or countries that supported them—regardless of whether they had any connection to the attacks on the World Trade Towers or the Pentagon.

The memo, written by Justice Department lawyer John Yoo, argues that there are effectively “no limits” on the president’s authority to wage war—a sweeping assertion of executive power that some constitutional scholars say goes considerably beyond any that had previously been articulated by the department.

Although it makes no reference to Saddam Hussein’s government, the 15-page memo also seems to lay a legal groundwork for the president to invade Iraq—without approval of Congress—long before the White House had publicly expressed any intent to do so. “The President may deploy military force preemptively against terrorist organizations or the States that harbor or support them, whether or not they can be linked to the specific terrorist incidents of Sept. 11,” the memo states.

[mewzilla]

I'm sure we have plans for invading just about everyone, Spikey. Sheesh.

[alnick]

Although it makes no reference to Saddam Hussein’s government, the 15-page memo also seems to lay a legal groundwork for the president to invade Iraq—without approval of Congress—long before the White House had publicly expressed any intent to do so.

I would expect any president to take his time formulating his plans and investigating the legality of them long before he speaks publicly of them. Do they expect him to spout off uninformed thoughts publicly?

[Big Giant Head]

A Justice Department lawyer may have been laying the groundwork for the Iraq Michael Isikoff invasion long before it was discussed publicly by the White House.

< /Mike Isikoff tinfoil conspiracy >

[mrsmith]

There are no limits on the President's power to act militarily- in any way- in defense of the country.

That precedent goes all the way back to President Jefferson and his Secretary of State James Madison.

The key word is "defense".

[NetValue]

"There are no limits on the President's power to act militarily- in any way- in defense of the country."

MEMO TO DEMOCRATS, MSNBC, AND OTHER LIBERALS: If you disagree with the above, please state even one limit on the President's power to act militarily in defense of America. (The question is, what ways would YOU want to tie the President's hands in defending us from an attack, hmmmm?)

[Cicero]

Have these newspaper reporters ever heard of contingency planning? Repeat after me: "Con-tin-gen-cy plan-ning."

Contingency planning includes legal powers as well as military planning for eventualities. Naturally the president would want to know what his powers are in the case of a national emergency like 9/11.

This propaganda ploy is getting very, very tired. If clinton did it, they would all marvel about how smart and on the job he was, preparing for anything that might happen (between golf games, world tours, and fund raisers).

[MoralSense]

Another one of those "magnificent grasp of the obvious" articles from the MSM. The law in national security is basically what the President says it is. President Ford issued an executive order prohibiting the assassination of foreign leaders. Another President could issue a "finding" laying the predicate for overturning that order. You just have to play the politics that go along with those orders and find support.

[elephantlips]

"Secret memo?" As opposed to putting the memo in the NY Times?

[mewzilla]

All the news that they'll let you report, eh Spikey?

[Big Giant Head]

Spikey? I resemble that remark.

[mewzilla]

Not you, BGH! :) Isikoff's nickname is Spikey cuz his employers spike his stories, and Isikoff lets them get away with it. He's such a good boy!