Barack Obama addressed the growing threat of ISIL in a press conference Thursday afternoon, but what he said caused more heartburn than we thought possible. “I am confident that, as commander in chief, I have the authority to engage in the acts that we are conducting currently. As our strategy develops, we will continue to consult with Congress, and I do think it will be important for Congress to weigh in, and that our consultations with Congress continue to develop so that the American people are part of the debate. But, I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet” [emphasis added]. Such a statement is astounding, especially coming just days after the beheading of an American citizen and after months of military advances made by ISIL. Obama calls himself the commander in chief, and technically he does hold the position, but this is outrageous dereliction of duty.

Update: The Wall Street Journal reports, “Following the speech, the White House clarified Mr. Obama’s remarks about strategy. ‘The president was asked a specific question about possible military action in Syria against ISIL, and he was explicit that he is still waiting for plans that are being developed by the Pentagon for military options against ISIL in Syria,’ White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. ‘But when it comes to confronting ISIL in Iraq, the president has been very clear for months about what our comprehensive strategy is.’” We’re pretty sure ISIL has been operating in Syria for months, too.