BREAKING: Obama says he will seek Congressional authorization before attacking Syria

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Myiq2xu - BA, JD, FJB


(Action starts at 50:25)

From President Obama:

“I will seek authorization for use of force from representatives in Congress.”

It’s the smart move. It’s also the right move. I’m pleasantly surprised.

About Myiq2xu - BA, JD, FJB

I was born and raised in a different country - America. I don't know what this place is.
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94 Responses to BREAKING: Obama says he will seek Congressional authorization before attacking Syria

  1. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Politics 101: When faced with the inevitable, pretend it was your idea.

  2. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:13 am
  3. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:14 am

    CNN:

    President Barack Obama said that the United States “should take military action against Syrian targets” in a Rose Garden address Saturday. However, he said he would seek congressional authorization when federal lawmakers return from recess.

    The president appealed for congressional leaders to consider their responsibilities and values in debating U.S. military action in Syria over its alleged chemical weapons use.”Some things are more important than partisan differences or the politics of the moment,” he said. “Today I’m asking Congress to send a message to the world that we are united as one nation.”

    • Mary says:
      August 31, 2013 at 11:20 am

      The One didn’t really have a choice. His own Congressional Democrats (except Pelosi) were beginning to threaten the I word (impeachment) if he didn’t ask for Congressional authorization.

      Mr O is in the difficult position of facing his own party as his biggest critics of this bombing. McCain and other Repubs are leaning towards supporting it.

    • insanelysane says:
      August 31, 2013 at 11:29 am

      Uh oh. “United as one nation” against you Mr Obama.
      No more bombs.

      What the hell happened to his stupid promise to
      “Talk to our enemies ” ?

      The head of “Diplomacy” (Kerry), comes out crying for bombing a sovereign country.
      This is all so bizarre.

  4. DeniseVB says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:20 am

    I liked this headline from Herman Cain’s website better. Shorter Obama: ” I don’t have to ask Congress to authorize Syria strike, but I will anyway”

    Yes he’s doing the right thing, but I think this little speechy was more damage control for HIM than it is for the best interests of our national security.

    I. Just. Don’t. Trust. This. Little. Weasel.

    • Mary says:
      August 31, 2013 at 11:22 am

      Agree re damage control for HIM.

      If Congress does not authorize, will he go ahead and bomb?

      • DeniseVB says:
        August 31, 2013 at 11:30 am

        With what coalition behind him? France? They mean well, but not the most dependable ally. Obama’s inexperience is really beginning to show. And, I’m loving it. Hey former lib friends, this is for you:

      • westcoaster says:
        August 31, 2013 at 11:37 am

        “If Congress does not authorize, will you go ahead and bomb?” was the one question that got squeezed in by the media as Obama was fleeing the scene (unanswered of course)

  5. elliesmom says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:21 am

    And will congress listen to the will of the people they represent ?

  6. piper says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:22 am

    He needs someone to blame if things go wrong in Syria. Anybody but him taking responsibility. The Brits backed out and the French are a joke.

    • Karma says:
      August 31, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      IIRC, England and France were talking about sharing aircraft carriers. Not sure if they actually went through with it but it was weird to read French posters around the net brag about attacking Libya.

      And the French were only hawks on Libya due to the 100% increase in oil they were promised. Their share of Libyan oil went from 15% to 30% after the overthrow.

      No such lure this time around…lol

    • fif says:
      August 31, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      I’m so cynical when it comes to O. I think he’s such a political animal first, and a coward, that he heard the rumbling of dissent and wants to use Congress as cover. I’m glad the controversy caused him to actually use Congress for its intended purpose.

  7. Propertius says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:27 am

    I guess he finally read the Constitution – at least the Cliff Notes (r) version.

    • DeniseVB says:
      August 31, 2013 at 11:34 am

      He didn’t need to read the Constitution, as the Mom Blogs were going icky on him. I’m sure someone from OFA alerted ValJar.

      • Propertius says:
        August 31, 2013 at 12:40 pm

        I dunno – our friends over st SkyPrancing seem to be in full war monger mode judging from their selection of propaganda cartoons.

        • Karma says:
          August 31, 2013 at 12:48 pm

          Ugh….you know they would be flipping out if this was Pres Romney’s plan.

        • Propertius says:
          August 31, 2013 at 12:52 pm

          I was half expecting them to post this:

        • Propertius says:
          August 31, 2013 at 12:57 pm

          You know, nobody is stopping them from joining the National Guard and putting their own precious asses on the line. There were plenty of NG troops in their 40’s and 50’s in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  8. leslie says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:54 am

    So, I’m confused here…Are we a consitutional democracy or a republic? Because Bronco, the scholar, says we are a “Constitutional Democracy”.

    • driguana says:
      August 31, 2013 at 6:52 pm

      Sure gets confusing doesn’t it….and we all probably took “civics” growing up. I always thought that we, technically, were a “federal republic”.

  9. westcoaster says:
    August 31, 2013 at 11:58 am

    Nader- “You cannot start a war by yourself”
    http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/31

  10. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:08 pm
  11. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:10 pm
    • DandyTIger says:
      August 31, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      Only a crazed Obot would think Obama seeking congressional approval would be him outsmarting congress. I’m glad he is. But let’s not pretend it’s him being a clever, big man.

  12. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Sarah Palin:

    LET ALLAH SORT IT OUT

    “So we’re bombing Syria because Syria is bombing Syria? And I’m the idiot?” – Sarah Palin

    * President Obama wants America involved in Syria’s civil war pitting the antagonistic Assad regime against equally antagonistic Al Qaeda affiliated rebels. But he’s not quite sure which side is doing what, what the ultimate end game is, or even whose side we should be on. Haven’t we learned? WAGs don’t work in war.

    * We didn’t intervene when over 100,000 Syrians were tragically slaughtered by various means, but we’ll now intervene to avenge the tragic deaths of over 1,000 Syrians killed by chemical weapons, though according to the White House we’re not actually planning to take out the chemical weapons because doing so would require “too much of a commitment.”

    * President Obama wants to do what, exactly? Punish evil acts in the form of a telegraphed air strike on Syria to serve as a deterrent? If our invasion of Iraq wasn’t enough of a deterrent to stop evil men from using chemical weapons on their own people, why do we think this will be?

    * The world sympathizes with the plight of civilians tragically caught in the crossfire of this internal conflict. But President Obama’s advertised war plan (which has given Assad enough of a heads-up that he’s reportedly already placing human shields at targeted sites) isn’t about protecting civilians, and it’s not been explained how lobbing U.S. missiles at Syria will help Syrian civilians. Do we really think our actions help either side or stop them from hurting more civilians?

    * We have no clear mission in Syria. There’s no explanation of what vital American interests are at stake there today amidst yet another centuries-old internal struggle between violent radical Islamists and a murderous dictatorial regime, and we have no business getting involved anywhere without one. And where’s the legal consent of the people’s representatives? Our allies in Britain have already spoken. They just said no. The American people overwhelmingly agree, and the wisdom of the people must be heeded.

    * Our Nobel Peace Prize winning President needs to seek Congressional approval before taking us to war. It’s nonsense to argue that, “Well, Bush did it.” Bull. President Bush received support from both Congress and a coalition of our allies for “his wars,” ironically the same wars Obama says he vehemently opposed because of lack of proof of America’s vital interests being at stake.

    * Bottom line is that this is about President Obama saving political face because of his “red line” promise regarding chemical weapons.

    * As I said before, if we are dangerously uncertain of the outcome and are led into war by a Commander-in-chief who can’t recognize that this conflict is pitting Islamic extremists against an authoritarian regime with both sides shouting “Allah Akbar” at each other, then let Allah sort it out.

    – Sarah Palin

  14. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    do not know if it will do any good but I just sent these E-mails to Boxer and Feinstein

    just sent this E-mail to senators Boxer and Feinstein

    vote NO on attacking Syria. we do not have proof of just who released the gas.
    as of today the syrian rebels are mostly islamists and al qeada and not our friends, why would we want to help them? getting involved in Syria is not in our best interest.
    obama may be your guy, but please remember the American people you are supposed to represent.

    • Lulu says:
      August 31, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      Yeah. I’m doing it now to my 2 congressional morons and a long one to Cruz. No to authorization and no money to do it.

      • leslie says:
        August 31, 2013 at 12:53 pm

        Yup, me too. Although my “representative” and senator will have to tear themselves away from their koolaid mainlining equipment to actually read their email. Senator Kirk will also get a message from me. He may be the most approachable of the lot.

  15. Lulu says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    The Pentagon must have told him they can’t do it without the money and Congressional approval for both the bombing and the money. He doesn’t give a hang unless there isn’t any money for his new hobby. Email or call your congresscritters to cut off Bronco’s fireworks allowance. The Brits did and it worked.

  17. foxyladi14 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I agree with Sarah. 🙂

  18. DeniseVB says:
    August 31, 2013 at 12:58 pm

  19. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    Sneaky sneaky.

    • Lulu says:
      August 31, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      That is really a diabolical way for the Repubs to vote no. LOL. It puts the Dems in a real bind. Poor them being triangulated like that.

  20. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:06 pm
  21. votermom says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I guess this means Obama’s face is all red lined.

  22. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:09 pm
  24. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/31/20272596-syria-resumes-shelling-rebels-within-minutes-of-obama-announcement?lite

    syrian reaction to backtrack’s speech

    Government forces resume firing on rebels

    rebels say backtrack is backtracking

  25. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:17 pm
  27. driguana says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    He didn’t do this because it’s the “right” thing. He did it because it is the ONLY thing he can do now. And no matter what happens now, he wins. Congress says don’t do anything…..”see, I wanted to act but the damn Repubs wouldn’t let me”. Congress says, yes, let’s take action…”see, they agree with me”. It’s all slimy, slimy politics.

    • The Klown says:
      August 31, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      If he does the right thing for the wrong reasons he’s still doing the right thing.

      • Lulu says:
        August 31, 2013 at 1:27 pm

        I still think it is about money. The Pentagon told him they don’t have enough and he had no choice. Let’s see the legislation.

        • The Klown says:
          August 31, 2013 at 1:37 pm

          Attacking Syria with cruise missiles won’t cost us any money. The military are already on the payroll and the missiles have been paid for.

          Replacing the missiles we use would cost money though.

        • leslie says:
          August 31, 2013 at 1:45 pm

          Can we attack Syria wthout killing anyone? Then we blame Assad for those deaths, too? or do we get to turn it around and blame the rebels?
          War is good for nothing.

        • The Klown says:
          August 31, 2013 at 1:52 pm

          War is a bad thing. There are no “good” wars. People die. Lives are ruined. war is expensive and wasteful.

          Sometimes war is necessary, but only as a last resort. The same principles apply to making war and to using deadly force – it is only permissible in self-defense.

  29. votermom says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:22 pm

  31. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 1:35 pm
  34. westcoaster says:
    August 31, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    the Pope bowed to the queen of Jordan and kissed the hand of the Argentinian president
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10276319/Pope-breaks-with-protocol-by-bowing-to-Queen-Rania-of-Jordan.html

  35. westcoaster says:
    August 31, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    but the winning upside-down news story for the day is…. the bubonic plague:
    http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/08/28/three-more-sick-as-kyrgyzstan-battles-bubonic-plague/?intcmp=obnetwork

  36. John Denney says:
    August 31, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Both sides in Syria are bad guys.
    We could use the gassing as a pretext to destroy Syrian military hardware.
    It’s a win-win. If Assad stays in power, he’ll have less military capability; if the rebels win, they’ll have less military capability.
    We just need to ensure that we destroy far greater value than what it costs us to do so. A single cruise missile costs $1.5 million.

  39. 1539days says:
    August 31, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    I think this is pretty classic Backtrack. The evidence is tilting toward nerve gas being used by Syrian rebels. If that is the case, Obama’s red line is reversed and his duty would be to wipe out a bunch of Al Qaeda “rebels” that Assad is making short work of already.

    Instead of getting credit for anything, Obama will only get blame for any action he takes. He chose to hand the decision to Congress because he no longer cares what decision they make. At the same time, he can criticize Congress for what happens next.

    Obama is dumb, but he’s pretty smart about covering his own ass.

  40. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    http://weaselzippers.us/2013/08/31/flashback-2007-as-bush-admin-tries-to-isolate-syria-pelosi-meets-with-assad-undermining-u-s-position/

    the way back machine

    pelosi travels to syria to meet assad undermining US position as Bush admin tries to isolate Syria

  41. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    http://www.blackfive.net/main/2013/08/cascade-effects.html#comments

    thought this was a very good read and something to think about

  42. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I am having a grilled bratwurst burger for dinner.

    Mmmmm!

  43. The Klown says:
    August 31, 2013 at 5:52 pm
    • Mary says:
      August 31, 2013 at 7:48 pm

      Well, there’s our answer. He’ll let Congress discuss/vote, but he’ll do whatever he wants anyway.

    • DeniseVB says:
      August 31, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      I’ve seen that on the left’s AND right’s sites. There was something in his message today that implied…..oh, okay, I’ll meet with Congress, let them vote, whatev, I’ll do whatever the f**k I want to do anyhow…..something like that. 😉

  45. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Menendez: Committee will take up Syria authorization measure Tuesday; use of force justified – @markknoller

  46. helenk3 says:
    August 31, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23911461

    Putin to backtrack show the world the evidence

  48. DeniseVB says:
    August 31, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Ok, I checked with my military middle east intel expert source of 44 years, I promised him off the record, so his quote on Obama! Syria! …

    “they’ve been killing each other for over 2500 years and they’ll keep killing each other for another 2500 years, let Allah sort them out”

    AND, he’s not a Sarah fan.

  51. t says:
    August 31, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Obama’s looking for a way out. Back at the White House, he’s got fingers and toes crossed, and is saying to himself “please say no, please say no.” Then if they say no, he can say, well I tried, but Congress wouldn’t let me.

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