For continuing coverage, Syria Attack Watch.
UPDATE: Obama says has decided on military action, doesn’t need U.N. Security Council or Congress, BUT will seek congressional authorization anyway:
Now watch this drive: Pretty amazing Obama would make big statement on Syria, then head straight to golf course. But that's what he's done.
— Byron York (@ByronYork) August 31, 2013
https://twitter.com/DamaineGorman/status/373865608133095425
"This attack is an assault to human dignity." #Obama on #syria
— Amadeus Ulrich (@amadeusulrich) August 31, 2013
"This menace must be confronted …I have decided the US will take military action" – Obama !!!!
— Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) August 31, 2013
PresObama "prepared to attack anytime…not time sensitive'
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) August 31, 2013
https://twitter.com/Bridget_PJM/status/373866389045407744
UN Security Council called "Paralyzed" by Obama.
— Phillip Smyth (@PhillipSmyth) August 31, 2013
I CAN hit Syria by myself but I CHOOSE NOT TO.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) August 31, 2013
Thank you, Mr President.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) August 31, 2013
The office changes the man more than the man changes the office. @EliLake:“Comfortable going forward without UNSC resolution.” #syria #obama
— John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) August 31, 2013
https://twitter.com/maxberger/status/373869452682477568
Big move by POTUS. Consistent with his principles. Congress is now the dog that caught the car. Should be a fascinating week!
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 31, 2013
Ouch RT @dandayan: It took Obama a week to decide he won't decide. Putin, Assad, Nasrallah, Rouhani and Kim: LMAO
— CAMERA UK (formerly UK Media Watch and BBC Watch) (@CAMERAorgUK) August 31, 2013
OMG. This person actually teaches impressionable youth? https://t.co/6Ge1g2mZyA
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) August 31, 2013
Very negative reaction from free syrian army. Saying obama delay will hurt them, calls it backpedaling. #syria
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) August 31, 2013
Will many in the Middle East think this is cowardly hesitation by the U.S.? #Obama has reasons to get Congress okay, but foreign view is..?
— Dan Raviv (@DanRaviv) August 31, 2013
“Amateur Hour” Krauthammer: Obama boxed himself in and now he’s looking for a way out of attacking Syria http://t.co/0qtKrtmg74
— Joe Brooks (@joebrooks) August 31, 2013
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Comments
Obama can read polls … it may be the only thing he is good at. I’m guessing he will use this opportunity to talk himself off the ledge, while blaming others for painting him into this corner.
He will be late to the podium again, getting last minute prep from Valerie.
OK. Did I miss it or is he STILL not out yet? So freaking disrespectful to the american public who deserve to hear what this imperial warmongering dictator is doing. Where the hell is Boehnor??? Oh right scheming on how best to pass amnesty and keep Obamacare in place.
Do you think the Dear Leader of the Free World will allow any questions?
Nope. Debate starts next week, or next month.
Syrian government “responsible” for this attack. That is different that the Syrian government performing the attack.
I won’t listen any more, but I’ll read people comments.
He’s lying, his lips are moving..
Hussein becomes the champion of truth, justice, and the American way today.
Threat no. 1 is mockery of internat’l accord on chem weapons?
Look, it’s Charlie McCarthy, too.
Maybe that’s the “house negro” Cornel West was talking about?
So he read the poll … will go to Congress. But says he has authority to act without them. Going to Congress because that is best for our “democracy”. Hmmmm …. kinda wants it both ways.
Says attack could be today or a month from now … not time sensitive.
“Let’s have this debate”.
Coming from the guy who pilots a government that spies relentlessly on its citizens without warrants and directs (I’m sure through Jarret) the IRS to intimidate fellow citizens, color me NOT surprised when he claims the authority to strike Libya/Syria/whatever without congressional authorization. I’m sure my rep Dave Reichert will not hesitate in the slightest to vote for authorization. He never sees a big gov initiative he doesn’t like (amnesty, cap and trade, Obamacare, etc).
So, write to him, in clear and respectful terms, telling him your recommendation and your reasons.
Oh I have called his office before, but my esteemed rep has already made up his mind. His DC office hung up on me. Being respectful does no good with this rep. His district was made even safer for him and now he is going full rino. Around 50% rating.
He “wasn’t elected to avoid hard decisions.”
He makes hard decisions all the time! Some hole locations can make a green really hard to read.
So he’ll seek congressional authorization, knowing in advance that Congress won’t provide it. Then it won’t be his fault that Assad crossed his “red line” with impunity, it’ll be the fault of that mean old Republican Congress that wouldn’t let Barry do the right thing.
Apparently Valerie figured this was enough to keep Barry from being “mocked.”
A perfect analysis, Sir (or Ma’am, as the case may be)!
Since our allies have left him swinging in the wind, he needs political cover.
That other Valerie figured wrong. That empty suit we have for a President wouldn’t be in this spot, if he’d just kept to the script. Let the cartoonists give him donkey ears and a dunce cap.
Bizarre. He’s been banging the war drums for a week, now he’s punting it off to Congress.
But he won’t even call Congress back into session to vote on it.
If it’s not important enough to call in the ruling class from their extended vacation, it’s not important.
The MSM went right back to their regularly scheduled programming. No debate today.
Let Allah Sort it Out — Sarah Palin
He will, but he wants to run it by congress first.
Obama doesn’t want to do it without someone else to blame, which is why he is paralyzed now. Leading from behind.
Leading from Behind means never having to admit you’re in Arrears.
Told ya he didn’t have the balls.
He’s seeking Congressional approval because he knows he’s not going to get it.
He gets to save face, and, once again, blame the “party of no” for tying his hands, and not letting him do “what’s good for the country”.
transparency…
Well if congress says no, that is what the american people want. So party of no is a good thing at this point.
Noted: Prof. Bill’s “video of the day” today is Barry McGuire, “On the Eve of Destruction.”
Obama: Please help me get out of this mess I put us in.
It’s not easy for a President to vote present but Barry managed to do it.
Framing this! 🙂
Barry? “PRESENT!” – Barry
“Beware of Harvard Greeks Baring Present.”
Huh, where is Intrade when you need them? (Who knew they went belly up?)
Videos of dead kids, a wink-n-nod understanding that it’ll only be a few empty palaces bombed, I’d bet a buck he gets his authorization.
Pansy Obama’s prayers have been answered.
Just as I posted yesterday about Britain’s military weakness, cowardice and cravenness I also stated that congressional approval is Obama’s OUT for not having to take action on his RED LINE comments.
More readers gave me a thumbs down on my post than thumbs up. I’m not looking so dumb today and my insight has proved true.
I just hope the Muslims in Syria keep shooting and killing each other. That will just reduce the scum that will ultimately turn their weapons against Israel and the West.
Then immediately off to golf. So the line is in the sand………trap? Sheesh
https://securecdn.disqus.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/603/2597/original.jpg
Just sub the word Syria for Egypt.
This fiasco reminds me of a Commanding Officer I worked for in the USN. One time, when he was gone, I had to answer his phone. When I sat down in his chair, I glanced at the back of the nameplate on his desk. There was a note taped on the back in BIG letters which read, “Engage brain before opening mouth.”
Maybe Obama needs such wisdom for his desk.
For all his “brilliance,” the man just does not think through all the ramifications of his pronouncements.
I love it! That’s what I tell my son: “brain before mouth.” Maybe he’ll make Commander someday.
[…] and even if he, our President, went back on his “red line” line and threw the ball into Congress’s court. (Since when does he defer to the legislative […]