How Presidents Make The Case For War

President Obama isn't asking Congress to declare war against Syria but he is asking Congress to approve a military action against that country's president over his alleged use of chemical weapons against his own people.

President Obama took his case to several TV networks yesterday and tonight he will speak directly to the American people as other presidents have when it comes to military action.

There were declarations of war for World War I and World War II. There was not a declaration of war for Vietnam. Congress authorized military action against Iraq, but there was no formal declaration of war for that conflict.