[John Jorsett]

When did the Senate get the power to approve an appointment of an individual to a particular military command? Wouldn't that be the exclusive power of the President as the Commander in Chief?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

They want to manage the War effort.....I'm not sure when....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

No Senators asked him about the implications of this:

Troops Died After, Not In, Sneak Attack ~ Karbala Attack ~ Soldiers abducted then killed.....

.....Possible message from Iran......

[agincourt1415]

Exactly my question too. The Senate has no business confirming a MAJCOM appointment. They need to BUTT OUT!

[Doc91678]

I believe your right. But micromanaging this war and its leaders is the cause for our losing.
Here the Senate is confirming General Petraeus, then they will tie his hands from implementing the strategies he has come up with. Guess every armchair general in the Houses of Congress and Senate want to have a hand in it. That has never been the case before. It is now, and I can't see how we can win with that mind trend in our government. War is not as political as it is forceful. Guess every politician wants to be another MacNamara.

[Revenge of Sith]

I thought that was odd too. Abraham Lincoln didn't get Senate approval when he hired and fired generals. None of the commanders of World War II needed Senate confirmation. There were many changes in command in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars without any in input from the Senate.