We need a new constitutional understanding on war powers

The Libya adventure is too much of a mess to expect mutual agreement on this kind of constitutional compromise now. Nor is Obama, having bollixed the war powers issue in every possible way, the man to negotiate this deal.

Resolution of this issue will require time, dispassion and therefore inevitably a commission — say, chaired by a former president of each party, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and consisting of former legislators, judges and generals, with perhaps a couple of historians and not more than one international lawyer thrown in.

Then submit the commission’s proposed law for approval by Congress and the president. And have David McCullough read the final text aloud at the signing ceremony. That will make it official.