Describe how the president's powers as commander in chief expanded over time and give reasons why these changes occurred. Do you think this expansion is a positive one for the office of the president?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Identify that although Congress has the power to declare war, today war is seldom declared; rather, the president determines what military action is needed because he has the information-gathering facilities needed and the ability to act with speed and secrecy during a crisis.
2. Describe the War Powers Resolution passed by Congress in 1973, because of dissatisfaction with the Vietnam War, to restrict the president's war-making powers; also note that although Congress has threatened to invoke this act against presidents, so far it never has done so.
3. Propose an answer as to whether the expansion of the president's power is positive. Answers will vary, but an ideal answer might note that even though this power can place the United States in an undesirable war like Vietnam, it is probably necessary to allow the president to act quickly in a crisis situation.