by Nicholas Beaudrot of Electoral Math
The NYT's Week In Review this week features a length front-page piece that, in between quotes from various constitutional wonks [including John Yoo, who at least admits Congress's prerogative to de-fund the war], reviews previous confrontations between the White House and Congress over matters of war. There's not much to hang your hat on; essentially, Congress can at best expose poor management by military commanders (and, today, civilian policy makers), force firings or resignations, and then install leadership more congenial to congressional goals via Senate confirmation. It's slim pickings, especially since there is broad consensus in DC that Petraeus is the best man for the job in Iraq. Since the current President is unlikely to accept the constitutionality of Boland Amendment-like use of appropriations bills to direct military affairs, this leaves little hope for any wresting substantial control of Iraq policy until 2009.
