(Untitled)

[jephly]

From the New York Times article about Benazir Bhutto being put under house arrest:
“I feel confident that President Musharraf heard the president’s message,” she [Dana Perino, the White House press secretary] said, traveling with Mr. Bush to Texas. But, she added, “the uniform is still an issue

Comments

[sy4]

President Bush is correct.

You can't be both president (elected official) and head of the army (a literal military officer).

Though the President of the United States holds the title of Commander in Chief he is, nevertheless, an elected official.

Musharaff is a military officer who has gained power through coup d'etat. Therefore, as he did not legitimately gain power through election as detailed in the Pakistani Constitution, his authority is illegitimate. He simply is not president.

[jephly]

So "Commander in Chief" is not considered a military office?

(I'm really asking; I don't know much about this...)

[sy4]

Not in this country. Civilian leadership runs the military, so even though elected officials give the military orders, the separation between the military and the high offices of the nation is distinct within our Constitution.

Which is why no military officer can be president. He must resign his commission first, then run for office.