Chia Biden, sensing a Chris Dodd moment in that he has NO support for his presidential run, he goes after the McBush-Chimpy-Cheney-Haliburton crowd for their votes by floating the (I) word.

“PORTSMOUTH ‚Äî Presidential hopeful Delaware Sen. Joe Biden stated unequivocally that he will move to impeach President Bush if he bombs Iran without first gaining congressional approval.

Biden spoke in front of a crowd of approximately 100 at a candidate forum held Thursday at Seacoast Media Group. The forum focused on the Iraq war and foreign policy. When an audience member expressed fear of a war with Iran, Biden said he does not typically engage in threats, but had no qualms about issuing a direct warning to the Oval Office.

“The president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach,” said Biden, whose words were followed by a raucous applause from the local audience.

Biden said he is in the process of meeting with constitutional law experts to prepare a legal memorandum saying as much and intends to send it to the president.”

Which shows why Chia is not only unfit to lead, he’s an uninformed nitwit. First, to “bomb Iran” the President doesn’t need “congressional approval” so long as congress is notified within 48 hours. Bombing Iran, is not the same as “declaring war”. There are numerous examples of preemptive and retalitory strikes on other countries over the last 40 years

Let’s review.

First under the US Constitution the President of the United States has exclusive power over the armed forces on the battlefield, and may order whatever is necessary to allows such forces to wage war. Subsequently as Iran has been actively engaged in battle in Iraq by employing it’s agents and supplying weaponry used against US forces, the President has the absolutely authority to order retaliatory strikes and limited incursions into Iran.

Therefore President Bush could order limited but effective strikes as a support to the war in Iraq - as Iran in effected aided and abetted the enemy insurgency, thus strikes would be considered an “in battle” offensive measure, and then report those strikes within 48 hours to Congress as per The War Powers Resolution.

The following are precedent to the point:

(12) Libya. On March 26, 1986, President Reagan reported (without any mention of the War Powers Resolution) that, on March 24 and 25, U.S. forces conducting freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra had been attacked by Libyan missiles. In response, the United States fired missiles at Libyan vessels and at Sirte, the missile site.

(13) Libya. On April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported, “consistent with the War Powers Resolution”, that on April 14 U.S. air and naval forces had conducted bombing strikes on terrorist facilities and military installations in Libya. President Reagan had invited approximately a dozen congressional leaders to the White House at about 4 p.m. on April 14 and discussed the situation until 6 p.m. He indicated that he had ordered the bombing raid and that the aircraft from the United Kingdom were on their way to Libya and would reach their targets about 7 p.m.

(14) Persian Gulf (103). On September 23, 1987, President Reagan reported that, on September 21, two U.S. helicopters had fired on an Iranian landing craft observed laying mines in the Gulf. The President said that while mindful of legislative-executive differences on the interpretation and constitutionality of certain provisions of the War Powers Resolution, he was reporting in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

(15) Persian Gulf. On October 10, 1987, President Reagan reported “consistent with the War Powers Resolution” that, on October 8, three U.S. helicopters were fired upon by small Iranian naval vessels and the helicopters returned fire and sank one of the vessels.

(16) Persian Gulf. On October 20, 1987, President Reagan reported an attack by an Iranian Silkworm missile against the U.S.-flag tanker Sea Isle City on October 15 and U.S. destruction, on October 19, of the Iranian Rashadat armed platform used to support attacks and mine-laying operations. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.”

(17) Persian Gulf. On April 19, 1988, President Reagan reported “consistent with the War Powers Resolution” that in response to the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts striking a mine on April 14, U.S. Armed Forces attacked and “neutralized” two Iranian oil platforms on April 18 and, after further Iranian attacks, damaged or sank Iranian vessels. The President called the actions “necessary and proportionate.” Prior to this action, the President met with congressional leaders.

(18) Persian Gulf. On July 4, 1988, President Reagan reported that on July 3 the USS Vincennes and USS Elmer Montgomery fired upon approaching Iranian small craft, sinking two. Firing in self-defense at what it believed to be a hostile Iranian military aircraft, the Vincennes had shot down an Iranian civilian airliner. The President expressed deep regret. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.”

(19) Persian Gulf. On July 14, 1988, President Reagan reported that, on July 12, two U.S. helicopters, responding to a distress call from a Japanese-owned Panamanian tanker, were fired at by two small Iranian boats and returned the fire. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.”

Review over.

Therefore the President can bomb Iran without Mr. Chia’s approval. Subsequently, before Chia starts his pen rattling over impeaching, perhaps he should get educated. Might just be a good idea for a “presidential hopeful”.