Saturday, August 31, 2013

Obama To Seek Congressional Vote On Syria




Obama To Seek Congressional Vote On Syria Strike



President Barack Obama said on Saturday he has decided he should order a limited military strike against Syria, but in a move laden with political and diplomatic implications, he agreed in an about-face to solicit authorization for the mission from Congress.


Mr. Obama's announcement in a Rose Garden statement brought an unusually sudden halt to a military mobilization that for days had appeared on the cusp of a bombardment of Syria as punishment for its alleged use of chemical weapons on Aug. 21 that killed more than 1,400 people—including more than 400 children.
It also marked a jarring shift as president for Mr. Obama, whose senior aides have been saying that he would not seek congressional authorization and that he had the legal right to order the start of military strikes.


Mr. Obama said legislative leaders have agreed to hold a debate and a vote on the issue as soon as Congress returns, which currently is scheduled to be Sept. 9. Leaders in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority, considered calling the chamber back to session before then.
The move places the president's Syria policy on an unknown course, subjecting it to a certain showdown on Capitol Hill where lawmakers are deeply divided on the issue and even more so over Mr. Obama himself.

By agreeing to a congressional debate, Mr. Obama faces some amount of risk that he will be handed a defeat by legislators, like that suffered by British Prime Minister David Cameron over Syria this past week.
By assuming that risk, Mr. Obama also faces the possibility of some consternation from U.S. allies, who have been pressed by the administration for support for its aims in Syria.
In Israel, President Obama's decision to postpone military action until after congressional approval was received with skepticism. Analysts on Israeli television blasted the president for making the U.S. appear weak in the region. An Israeli official warned that U.S. hesitation could embolden Iran's nuclear ambitions.






President Barack Obama was ready to order a military strike against Syria, with or without Congress' blessing. But on Friday night, he suddenly changed his mind.

Senior administration officials describing Obama's about-face Saturday offered a portrait of a president who began to wrestle with his own decision - at first internally, then confiding his views to his chief of staff, and finally summoning his aides for an evening session in the Oval Office to say he'd had a change of heart.


The ensuing flurry of activity culminated Saturday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden when Obama stood under a sweltering sun, his vice president at his side, and told the American public the U.S. should launch a military strike to punish Syrian President Bashar Assad for a chemical weapons attack the U.S. says killed more than 1,400 people last week.

But first, he said, he'll ask permission from Congress.






Russia dramatically escalated its denunciations of American threats to attack Syrian military targets on Saturday, with President Vladimir Putin saying it would have been “utter nonsense” for the Syrian government to use chemical weapons as the Obama administration alleges.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued before President Obama said he would seek congressional authorization before ordering strikes on Syria, said a U.S. attack would be a “gross violation” of international law.

Speaking out for the first time since an apparent chemical weapons attack near Damascus on Aug. 21, Putin called on President Obama to find a nonviolent way out of the crisis.
“I would like to address Obama as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate: Before using force in Syria, it would be good to think about future casualties,” Putin told Russian news agencies in Vladivostok during a tour of the country’s flood-stricken Far East.

“Russia is urging you to think twice before making a decision on an operation in Syria,” he said.
The White House argued Friday that intelligence shows more than 1,400 people died from exposure to chemical weapons in an attack carried out by the Syrian military.

Putin said he was sure the attack was the work of rebels trying to provoke international — and especially American — involvement in the Syrian conflict. The government of Bashar al-Assad, he said, would have had no reason to use chemical weapons at a time when it had gained the upper hand in the fighting.

Doing so, he said, would have been “utter nonsense’’ – with the clear implication that that is how he would characterize the American allegations.

On top of that, he said, the Obama administration’s “claims that proof exists, but is classified and cannot be presented to anybody, are below criticism. This is plain disrespect for their partners.”

Putin’s comments were soon underlined by a stern statement from the Foreign Ministry. After U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul had finished a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Saturday, the ministry declared, “Russia has expressed its conviction that any forceful action against Syria that the U.S. could carry out in circumvention of the U.N. Security Council would be an act of aggression and a gross violation of international law.”







Other than clarifying that Congress would vote on US military involvement in Syria, US President Barack Obama’s last-minute announcement Saturday left viewers and pundits alike with more questions than answers.

Obama’s decision to put the vote to Congress virtually ensures victory — for the president, at least. If Congress rejects military action, he retains the moral high ground of intending to help, and of agreeing to legislative oversight, without facing the critique for the outcome of intervention. If Congress approves, he will have demonstrated moral and political leadership, and may even create an environment of improved Hill-White House relationships in the weeks before the looming budget and debt ceiling debates.

If the Republican leadership put the nail in the coffin of an early vote, it is unclear if the delay will benefit or harm the president’s case. But that, of course, depends on what the president’s real agenda is.
Obama emphasized in his address that Congress would hold a debate and vote on military action in Syria immediately after the legislature reconvenes. The scheduled date for the Congressional session to begin is September 9, a date that critics have already noted gives Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime an additional 10 days to hunker down before airstrikes.

His approval rating on how he has handled the issue of intervention in Syria is even worse – a grim 35 percent, according to the same NBC poll released Friday. Part of his real agenda must be to change that — but in what direction, given the 50% approval/disapproval rate for military intervention?
What he means to do depends largely on how his advisers have “read” his chances of getting the vote on intervention through both houses of Congress. If his advisers believe that the partisan politics of the capital city will take over, and the GOP will reject involvement, it could be that he is banking on the Republicans taking the fall for blocking an attack that he doesn’t want to carry out in the first place.
Obama has refused to answer questions about whether he will continue with plans for intervention if his resolution fails on the Hill, leaving a final note of ambiguity in an already hard-to-read political situation.





13 comments:

Stephen said...

Wall Street Pig Bulls could not
ask for more, They have no excuse.
that stock market BETTER BE WAY
up on TUES, or they are finished.

Any and I mean ANY close ON THE
DOWNSIDE and they are gone.

no excuses.

none at all.

If they CANNOT PUT this market up
on Tues, they may never be able to.

very sad.

1400 + more people die, and THIS WORLD cares more about pacification
of STUPID GREEDY BULLS then about that.

that makes me sick....

really.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ChristineInCleveland said...

Wow...this is really amazing- like something out of a Dale Brown novel? I'm putting my bet down for Obama striking Syria on Yom Kippur on 14 September. Just seems logical considering his contempt for Israel, doesn't it?
The plot just keeps thickening.... hmmm.

Gary said...

What would make Obama do this? I wonder what's happening behind the curtain?

Dylan said...

@Gary I'd say his ego. And he'd rather look like congress supports him than like he's acting contrary to the people's wishes. That's what my guess would be.

Scott said...

It will be interesting to see what congress does.

If O wants to get out of this corner he's painted himself into - having congress veto it and then coming out and saying he is doing the will of the people, or whatever, by not launching missiles, IMO will be an interesting development.

- It will embolden Iran/Syria/Russia
- It will hopefully, finally make Israel realize that they can't count on the US regarding Iran

At a minimum, those could be the prophetic pieces needed at this time (only). Who knows. Its all in God's hands. I believe no matter what the immediate outcome is - from this whole Syrian thing - it will turn out to be a big step in prophetic development towards the expected events.

We'll know soon enough either way

Robin said...

I seriously doubt Obama will do a thing . . .in the short term. He'd hoped to have a coalition, but his Lead from Behind approach, got up and left. He's completely squandered what ever clout America once had in the world, to bring together a coalition. Mired in debt with an economy close to hitting the skids, not to mention a country suffering from Obama Fatique, all he can muster in way of support at home is 9% of the population. He's a sad sack who tried to show the world his tough side, but instead, has tucked his tail between his legs and dodged Putin's game of chicken. Short term, no war just yet. But the weakened state he's brought the US to, will be tough to gain back.

It's certainly not hard to see why the US isn't mentioned in end times prophecy, we're quickly becoming a nothing.

I find it hard to believe Iran wouldn't take advantage of our new weakened state. We need to continue praying for our nation and as hard as it is to do, our leader :(

Scott said...

I always think more in terms of what the players behind the scenes want. In my opinion, O is just a puppet doing as ordered. I don't believe he is making the decisions. Of course, ultimately, God is calling the shots :)

Stephen said...

Short term NO WAR is all that
bulls want, HEY they only live
for the day anyway....

as LONG AS THEY can wake up
on TUES and see the DOW way up...

HEY

they will be happy.....

I wonder what happens to these people
when they die, these bulls....

do they take anything with them ??

do they ??

they are so obsessed with money,
you might think they bury it
in their graves.....as if they
can TAKE it to the other side.

SAD

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mrs.C said...

He has still left it open to attack regardless of whether Congress approves or not...

Obama Leaving Door Open to Syria Strike, Even if Congress Votes No"

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/01/obama-leaving-door-open-to-syria-strike-even-if-congress-votes-no/

What a rooky! He throws everything into craziness, and then goes and plays golf! One retired Capt in the Navy, who couldnt believe Barry's comments, stated that "something had to have happened over the 24 hours" of Barry pulling a reversal. He suspected that perhaps new Intel came in that changed the game. For example, as Israel was and is under such a retaliatory threat, perhaps they requested time to re position before the strike. One thing that is glaring, is Israel's silence. When Israel is this silent on something (Note Bibi is saying NOTHING), somethings up!

Since Barry's minions LEAKED so much information on this, that they need diapers, Barry could be trying to add an element of surprise, by stalling.There is nothing to stop a quick meeting with Congress, and then the missiles fly. Remember, Fox reported live info of a meeting with Congress today at 2:30pm. A closed, classified meeting. "Senior" staff of his is NOW leaking that Barry's going to do the strike anyway, regardless of Congress!

Barry is just beyond belief in his arrogance, and narcissism! Referencing his own words in this speech yesterday, HE DOESNT EVEN KNOW THAT WE ARE A "REPUBLIC" NOT A "CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY" as he stated!
The clincher is his other Freudian slip up! Beyond disgusting He referred to OUR Armed Services, as "HIS MILITARY"!
NO Osama, ur Obama, they are not 'YOURS", they are 'OURS". Just as they Serve us, SO DO YOU...to break it to you gently, you are NOT A KING...

Caver said...

Well, to me this looks and smells like typical "O".
1. He's cut the legs out from everyone banking and planning for the strike, including Israel and the rebel forces most friendly to us.
2. He's completely emboldened the enemies who perceive a victory and proof of our weakness.
3. He's thrown this in the lap of Congress so no matter what he does from here on he can blame them and take credit himself.
4. He's set himself up to get "new intelligence" allowing him to press the "go" button at any time and appear the hero.
5. He's completely exposed the military.
6. He's completely propelled cost of a barrel of oil up to who knows what levels with speculation.

And for what?

None of this is for the reasons we're being spoon fed. None of it. Its all engineered.

As one of the Fox News military commentators said, there are a few ducks appearing to calmly be swimming on the pond, but under the surface there's many web feet paddling like crazy to get into place in time.

Mrs.C said...

You would THINK that Barry would get what type of Country we live in...its in the Pledge of Allegiance! But then again...he's not very good at reciting that...pathetic! His goal is to tear it down...not build it up...

"And to the REPUBLIC for which it stands"...

Mrs.C said...

Oh my...JP just updated their headlines...

As Obama Stalls on Syria, Netanyahu Says Israel Is "calm and confident in itself""

"Without directly mentioning Syria or Obama's announcement on military action, PM says Israel's citizens "know very well that we are prepared for any possible scenario.""

http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Netanyahu-On-Syria-Israel-is-calm-and-confident-in-itself-324917

Now this...Israel sadly, so very sadly, they are alone...

"Weak World Response On Syria Boosts Chance Of Strong Israeli Action on Iran"

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Weak-world-response-on-Syria-boosts-chance-of-strong-Israeli-action-on-Iran-324912

GG2013 said...

One thought that crossed my mind yesterday was the possibility of him asking for votes like Cameron did but doing the polar opposite of what Cameron did in the end.

This makes him look like he cares what others think legally. That he is 'willing' to go through the same 'voting' processes as Cameron did but he doesn't have to follow the American people in the end. This still leaves him with open-ended options in this sick situation. Just MHO in this.

God Bless!!

GG