Diversifying the Role of Commander in Chief
Since the dawn of our nation, we’ve had an unbroken string of Christian white men leading our fighting forces. Turning the role of commander in chief over to a small elected assembly would create leadership opportunities for women and men from all walks of life. Everyone should be represented in decisions about where to send our troops. Voters deserve to see the face of America in their military leadership.
When the presidency shifts from one political party to another, the country’s foreign policy also shifts. Our strategy for use of the military is contained in the national defense policy, as prepared by the executive branch. The current policy, which emphasizes our right to act preemptively, represents a clear departure from precedent. The next president may adopt a different strategy altogether. This inconsistency frustrates our allies and baffles our strategic partners.
Small groups, on the other hand, must govern by consensus. It tends to moderate extreme positions. This would mean fewer radical departures from established principles of engagement and less air time for Washington think tanks promoting misguided military campaigns.
An elected National Defense Council could concentrate on defending the country and leave other presidential duties to the government’s chief executive. The president signs or vetoes all federal laws and the federal budget. The president appoints federal judges, the Supreme Court justices, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Federal Reserve chairman and all of our ambassadors. Our vast federally owned lands are administered by the president through the Department of the Interior. The president negotiates international treaties on our behalf and oversees a myriad of federal agencies including the IRS, the FBI, the FDA and the EPA. It’s enough to keep the leader of the free world busy.
Commander In Chief, National Defense Policy, Presidential Powers
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