"Obama: ‘President Does Not Have Power Under Constitution to Unilaterally Authorize a Military Attack’"

In a Dec. 20, 2007 interview with the Boston Globe, Obama stated that the president would not have the constitutional authority to bomb Iran without first seeking authorization from Congress. Of course, Obama didn't think that it was necessary to get approval prior to going into Libya.

The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation. . . .

So what was the Congressional reaction to the Libya attack.

The criticism is from all directions: from moderates, like Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.); from those on the far left and right, like Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ron Paul (R-Texas), who believe the president acted outside the Constitution; and from the establishment on both sides, including House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson of Connecticut and Republican Rep. Candice Miller of Michigan, a self-described “hawk.” . . .

UPDATE: The White House is now claiming that "installing a democratic system" is the goal in Libya.