More on war powers
RG Fulton writes to add to my earlier discussion:

Thanks. I believe that President Bush's West Point speech - viz "pre-emptive" actions - has not received the import that it deserves. In fact, MSNBC's Chris Matthews and guest Patrick Buchanan attacked it for lack of specificity. Why on earth would he be specific? I believe both that he intended to sneak in a doctrinal change, and that he had the full support of the Congressional Defense and Intelligence Committees, in doing so. Remember: these people know more than the rest of us. [Geeze, let's hope so! - DS]

Bush's National Security advisor - Condoleeza Rice - has only recommending authority. The National Security agencies and committees have absolute discretion, under the National Security Act.

Good points, RG, but I wonder whether you really mean the National Command Authority which has absolute discretion, rather than "agencies and committees."