I'm surprised the left-o-sphere hasn't given more attention to the fact that Obama recently publicly asked Congress to repeal the AUMF. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force, from 2001, is the font from which all kinds of "national security" evils have sprung, over the last 12 years. From the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, to torture, to the problems in Guantanamo, to drones, our perpetual war, the targeting of American citizens, etc. - they all spring from this little, hastily-passed, law that gives the President the authority to go after al Qaeda, and anyone that aids or harbors al-q, anywhere in the world, in almost any way he wants to. And Obama just asked Congress to revoke that authority.

"I look forward to engaging Congress and the American people in efforts to refine, and ultimately repeal, the AUMF's mandate," he said. "And I will not sign laws designed to expand this mandate further. Our systematic effort to dismantle terrorist organizations must continue. But this war, like all wars, must end."

That's huge, in my opinion.

For a decade now, I've been getting good use out of the notion that "national security" is a ratchet: once the Presidency is given (or takes) power under the national security guise, that power will never be put aside, relinquished, or left unused, by him or his successors. I've always assumed no President would want to be seen as wanting to give up any such powers, for fear of being seen as "soft" on security matters. But, Obama just asked Congress to take them away.

Certainly, he would be far more praiseworthy had he never used those powers in the first place - and many now-bitterly-disappointed people who hoped that he wouldn't are more than happy to list his failings in this area. But, use them he did. Though now, perhaps after another long evolution, he's saying he wants things to change. And, ultimately, getting Congress to repeal AUMF is the right way to do it. Because even if a hypothetical Obama had never used what AUMF provides, nothing guarantees his successor would be as high-minded.

I hope Congress takes him up on the offer.