Okay, for those who read my posts often, you may be surprised: president Obama gave a great speech today. His plan to seek the approval of Congress for any action against Syria is the right thing to do.
That being said, I have to wonder why it took all this time for Obama to come to the conclusion that Congress had to be included in the decision making. Was it the 80% numbers in the polling that showed as support among the American people for including Congress in the decision? Was it a ploy to delay the attack beyond the G-20 meeting next week? It cannot be that Obama just forgot to consider the need for Congressional approval. If one were truly cynical, one could conclude that Obama is now hoping that Congress will say no to his plan so as to allow him to step back from the edge of his red line cliff.
Then there is the question why Obama is not calling Congress back now. Is it that he weighed vacation schedules against the atrocities of chemical weapons use and came down in favor of vacations? I know the man likes his vacations, but in this case, it is just the vacations of Congressmen and Senators. Why is everything on hold until September 9th at the earliest?
Obama also did not tell the nation what comes after the attack he proposes. Don't get me wrong; I am not opposed to action against Assad. I do think, however, that Obama has to tell us what he plans to do after lobbing a few cruise missiles at Damascus and the Assad forces. Right now, Obama's policy for that period (assuming one exists) is a complete mystery. If the past is any guide, Obama has not yet even thought about it seriously.
In the next week before Congress reconvenes, Obama has the chance to clear up all the mysteries. He can tell us why it was the 15th chemical attack that brought him to action when the prior 14 times that Assad crossed the red line did not bring any response. He can tell us how he proposes to deal with the inevitable aftermath of the attack he wants to launch. He can make clear to the American people why the use of chemical weapons by Assad or any other regime is unacceptable. On this last point, he made a good start today. Much more, however, is needed.
That being said, I have to wonder why it took all this time for Obama to come to the conclusion that Congress had to be included in the decision making. Was it the 80% numbers in the polling that showed as support among the American people for including Congress in the decision? Was it a ploy to delay the attack beyond the G-20 meeting next week? It cannot be that Obama just forgot to consider the need for Congressional approval. If one were truly cynical, one could conclude that Obama is now hoping that Congress will say no to his plan so as to allow him to step back from the edge of his red line cliff.
Then there is the question why Obama is not calling Congress back now. Is it that he weighed vacation schedules against the atrocities of chemical weapons use and came down in favor of vacations? I know the man likes his vacations, but in this case, it is just the vacations of Congressmen and Senators. Why is everything on hold until September 9th at the earliest?
Obama also did not tell the nation what comes after the attack he proposes. Don't get me wrong; I am not opposed to action against Assad. I do think, however, that Obama has to tell us what he plans to do after lobbing a few cruise missiles at Damascus and the Assad forces. Right now, Obama's policy for that period (assuming one exists) is a complete mystery. If the past is any guide, Obama has not yet even thought about it seriously.
In the next week before Congress reconvenes, Obama has the chance to clear up all the mysteries. He can tell us why it was the 15th chemical attack that brought him to action when the prior 14 times that Assad crossed the red line did not bring any response. He can tell us how he proposes to deal with the inevitable aftermath of the attack he wants to launch. He can make clear to the American people why the use of chemical weapons by Assad or any other regime is unacceptable. On this last point, he made a good start today. Much more, however, is needed.
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