Breaking: Obama to ask Congress for approval to Strike Syria

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...t-to-president-obamas-statement-on-syria?lite
They seem happy with his decision to go before Congress.

 

Why would he ask if he didn't want to respect their vote?

 

Pretty much. It would be a disaster to not get approval and then strike anyway.

 

Are there estimates on how congress will vote? I guess approval/disapproval will be given individually, regardless of party affiliation in this case?

I think Obama is damaged if they don't approve. But I hope they don't. I don't see the point of going into war there, to help the rebels who are infiltrated by Al Qaeda.

 

I would guess its like England, where no one really has any idea how the vote would play out at this point. They had a conference call with leaders yesterday, so I imagine Obama has a general sense of the mood, but no idea really.

 

Good . We can avoid conflict and Obama can at least say he tried. I was hoping he would let congress give him an out . He should have never made those red line comments and after he did he should have been working on a coalition, instead of vacationing in Africa/Maratha's Vineyard etc .. It seems he thought his threats would be all he'd ever need .

 

This is one of those cases where doing the right thing in going to Congress also happens to provide him political cover. Hard to say which is his primary motive considering he's already in his second term.

 

I don't think that would hurt him much. Striking, with or without congressional approval, is the most dangerous thing for Obama.

If congress votes no and he stands down, the responsibility sits on congress for whatever atrocities Assad commits going forward.

Regardless of the vote, the "you broke it, you bought it" principle binds Obama's standing to events in Syria.

 

I think if Congress decides against a strike, which considering the history of this Congress voting against everything Obama supports is likely, it just gives Obama an out. He'll say, I want to go and I took it to Congress for their support but they don't have the will to act. At that point he could do pretty much whatever he wants. He can go to the American people with a great speech on why we should act or he could just say he tried and call it a day.

 

This is a very good decision by Obama.

 

Actually you may be right. Obama seems much more determined to strike than I thought as I read some of the recent stuff.

 

tough situation. You don't want to send the signal to any nation that it's okay to use chemical weapons. That's the wrong message to send.

But at the same time, what will spending a couple of days taking out some military targets do? After those two days of missile strikes are over, it isn't like Assad will all of a sudden see the light.

Either way I think it's right to seek congress approval.

 

How is he damaged? He now can blame congress regardless of what happens. He has insulated himself. If they don't approve, then he doesn't strike... Not like he is hot to get involved in Syria anyway.

 

Good for Obama.

 

If they don't approve and he doesn't do anything, Assad can laugh at him and mock him and he can't do much. So can Putin.

 

Brilliant move by Obama.

 

Shouldn't you be worrying about Merkel?

 

What should I be worried about?

 

Care about your own leaders, not those of others.

I, for one, do not care about Putin or Assad's opinion.