Spotlight: Obama's fresh war power hits wall

When U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that his proposed war authorization text was the result of consultation with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, his Democratic colleagues and Republican rivals in two chambers told a different picture.

"In crafting this resolution we have consulted with, and listened to, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress," said Obama in a televised speech after he presented his war power draft to Congress, a move initially welcomed by Congress.

"We have made a sincere effort to address difficult issues that we've discussed together," he said.

However, Obama's lobbying with both parties had a rocky start as Republicans said the restraints would handcuff the military while Democrats feared little limits were placed to prevent Obama from committing more ground troops in the future.

The contention is mainly centered on the ambiguity of the language banning the use of "enduring offensive ground combat operations" against the extremist group Islamic State (IS).

Obama said his draft would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, with local forces instead carrying that responsibility.

He said he wants the flexibility for ground combat operations "in other more limited circumstances", which include rescue missions, intelligence collection and the use of special forces in possible military action against IS leaders.

Republican leaders in Congress dismissed Obama's draft as too limited, stressing that they want a sensible version which scrapes away those limits.

"If we are going to defeat this enemy, we need a comprehensive military strategy and a robust authorization, not one that limits our options," said a statement issued by House Speaker John Boehner, Obama's toughest Republican rival in Congress.

Although she did not publicly criticized Obama's draft, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who previously said she did not support sending troops on ground, said she wanted an authorization for use of force that "would limit the power of the President."

Also, the draft legislation, if passed in Congress, would limit the President's authority to wage a military campaign against IS to three years.

According to the authorization for the use of force passed in 2001, Obama administration could use force to go after the extremist group Al-Qaida and its affiliates, namely Islamic State(IS) in this case, without permission from Congress. The White House was asking for fresh authorization because it wanted to show broad bipartisan backing for its strike against IS.

"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 against IS," Obama wrote in a letter to lawmakers which came with the three-page draft legislation.

"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 IS," said Obama. Endi