The prez has decided to seek Congressional approval for the war on ISIS….not bad considering we have been bombing them for 6 months…..but the prez seems to want the Congress to put some skin in the game…..a ploy for the next election….no doubt.

Here is the story so far…….

President Obama today asked Congress to formally authorize military force against ISIS, arguing the militants could pose a threat to the US homeland if their violent power grab goes unchecked. In the three-page draft resolution (full text here), Obama is offering to limit authorization to three years, extending to the next president the powers and the debate over renewal for what he envisions as a long-range battle. He is proposing no geographic limitations where US forces could pursue the elusive militants. The authorization covers the Islamic State and “associated persons or forces,” defined as those fighting on behalf of or alongside ISIS “or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners.”

The proposal bans “enduring offensive combat operations,” and he says his draft would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those deployed in the past to Iraq and Afghanistan, arguing those battles should be left to local forces instead of the US military. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the provision would allow special operations missions, such as potential raids targeting Islamic State leaders or ones like the failed attempt last summer to rescue 26-year-old Kayla Mueller and other hostages held by the group. Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he appreciated the president seeking the authorization and would quickly begin holding “rigorous hearings” on the White House request. Obama plans to speak on his request from the White House this afternoon.

Full text of President Barack Obama’s letter to lawmakers accompanying draft war powers resolution:

To the Congress of the United States:

The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East, and to U.S. national security. It threatens American personnel and facilities located in the region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller. If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland.

I have directed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to degrade and defeat ISIL. As part of this strategy, U.S. military forces are conducting a systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Although existing statutes provide me with the authority I need to take these actions, I have repeatedly expressed my commitment to working with the Congress to pass a bipartisan authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL. Consistent with this commitment, I am submitting a draft AUMF that would authorize the continued use of military force to degrade and defeat ISIL.

My Administration’s draft AUMF would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those our Nation conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Local forces, rather than U.S. military forces, should be deployed to conduct such operations. The authorization I propose would provide the flexibility to conduct ground combat operations in other, more limited circumstances, such as rescue operations involving U.S. or coalition personnel or the use of special operations forces to take military action against ISIL leadership. It would also authorize the use of U.S. forces in situations where ground combat operations are not expected or intended, such as intelligence collection and sharing, missions to enable kinetic strikes, or the provision of operational planning and other forms of advice and assistance to partner forces.

Although my proposed AUMF does not address the 2001 AUMF, I remain committed to working with the Congress and the American people to refine, and ultimately repeal, the 2001 AUMF. Enacting an AUMF that is specific to the threat posed by ISIL could serve as a model for how we can work together to tailor the authorities granted by the 2001 AUMF.

I can think of no better way for the Congress to join me in supporting our Nation’s security than by enacting this legislation, which would show the world we are united in our resolve to counter the threat posed by ISIL.

Okay, I have a problem with this request……One, we are already at war with ISIS and we go where ever we must to attack these people and their associates.  Two, this open ended language means too much and is not too clear.  Three, how many troops are we talking about sending to Iraq?

Now theater will be on who decides that to oppose this will be politically in their favor……those that feel this will not end well and want to distance themselves from the request to protect their buuts at election time.  The same can be said in reverse……some will be all over this to show their “patriotism”……all of it will be a calculated move for their next election.

Okay my conspiracy mode is kicking in…..is it me or is this request a little too convenient after the death of the young lady in Syria?

Someone……anyone……please speak up!