(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.
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BREAKING: Obama says he will seek Congressional authorization before attacking Syria
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The Crawdad Hole 
Politics 101: When faced with the inevitable, pretend it was your idea.
CNN:
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.
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.
One wonders why Kerry wasn’t beside him today, huh?
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.
Agree re damage control for HIM.
If Congress does not authorize, will he go ahead and bomb?
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:
“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)
Wonder if that questioner broke any rules ? You know Obama doesn’t like questions he doesn’t have prepared answers for. 😉
And will congress listen to the will of the people they represent ?
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.
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
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.
I guess he finally read the Constitution – at least the Cliff Notes (r) version.
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.
I dunno – our friends over st SkyPrancing seem to be in full war monger mode judging from their selection of propaganda cartoons.
Ugh….you know they would be flipping out if this was Pres Romney’s plan.
I was half expecting them to post this:
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.
So, I’m confused here…Are we a consitutional democracy or a republic? Because Bronco, the scholar, says we are a “Constitutional Democracy”.
Sure gets confusing doesn’t it….and we all probably took “civics” growing up. I always thought that we, technically, were a “federal republic”.
Nader- “You cannot start a war by yourself”
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/31
That was the best part. He went off to golf afterwards.
Geez…that was fast. Did they wear their breakaway suits with their golf shorts underneath?
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.
Sarah Palin:
Common sense vs Ivy League bs.
Amen and a hallelujah chorus!
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130830/NEWS/308300039?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
US ship carrying US Marines arrives in Med
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.
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.
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.
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.
http://therightscoop.com/amateur-hour-krauthammer-obama-boxed-himself-in-and-now-hes-looking-for-a-way-out-of-attacking-syria/
Krauthammer on backtrack
And he still has to face Putin this week. Giggle.
Wonder if Putin will bring his bored face? 😉
I agree with Sarah. 🙂
Sneaky sneaky.
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.
I guess this means Obama’s face is all red lined.
Or he “Bobbitted” himself.
Kool-aid is a hellofa drug.
http://www.businessinsider.com/authorization-to-attack-syria-may-face-trouble-in-the-house-2013-8
I hope the house stands firm against this
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
I bet Putin is busting his gut laughing at Obama.
Oh yes. Hi hilarity in the Kremlin or St Peterberg or wherever. Expect Obama to be assigned a broom closet to sleep in as a joke or gigantic NO SMOKING signs everywhere.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57600877/
more on reaction in Syria on backtrack’s speech
Agree. Probably to protect himself from being the only one making the really bad decision to go in. But I’m glad he did.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/world/middleeast/president-pulls-lawmakers-into-box-he-made.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0
backtrack pulling lawmakers in to box he made
Prior to 12/7/41 the majority of Americans were non-interventionist.
All of this is a predictable result of his sloppy rhetoric…and highlighted for how many years here?
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.
If he does the right thing for the wrong reasons he’s still doing the right thing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SYRIA_CRISIS_WORLD_REACTION?SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
France to wait on US congress vote on Syria.
after you Alfonse
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/lawmakers-respond-on-twitter-to-obamas-statement-on-a-syria-vote/
lawmakers respond on twitter to backtrack
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iranian-Revolutionary-Guard-chief-US-Syria-strike-will-have-regional-consequences-324862
threats that US attacks on Syria could have regional consequences
The hammer of kraut is consistent at least. 🙂
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
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
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.
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/155344/world-cools-to-obama-and-us-hysteria-to-attack-syria.html
world cools to backtrack and US hysteria to attack Syria
stole this from a commenter at no quarter.
it is just so funny
http://www.markfiore.com/mark-fiore-blog/cartoons/fireagra-for-foreign-policy-impotence.html
FIREAGRA
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.
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
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2013/08/cascade-effects.html#comments
thought this was a very good read and something to think about
I am having a grilled bratwurst burger for dinner.
Mmmmm!
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/08/31/state-dept-official-tells-fnc-james-rosen-obama-will-take-syria-action-even-if-congress-says-no/
state dept official says backtrack will take syria action even if congress says NO
Well, there’s our answer. He’ll let Congress discuss/vote, but he’ll do whatever he wants anyway.
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. 😉
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Menendez: Committee will take up Syria authorization measure Tuesday; use of force justified – @markknoller
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23911461
Putin to backtrack show the world the evidence
What a mess!
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.
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/08/31/5-ways-obamas-unseriousness-has-been-exposed-by-syria-strike-chatter/
backtrack exposed as unserious
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.
For our collective information…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution