Maybe President Obama didn't want this war.

[Jesus Malverde]

Some pundit said when he tossed it to congress to vote, he already knew the outcome or had calculated the votes. That made sense to me.

Now we hear it's going to be a lopsided vote in the house.

Throwing it to congress put the congressional war mongers in the crosshairs of the anti-war public, (polling 93% against the war).

The president can go to the next AIPAC conference and say, "I tried to help you guys, why did YOU GUYS let me down in congress".

Plus we're not talking about other things...

win-win-win

[quinnox]

1. this thought has also crossed my mind

who knows, maybe it is the case.

[cali]

2. I don't think he wanted this war but he's pushing hard for it

I think it flies in the face of reason that he wants to lose in congress. that would constitute a serious defeat for him and not only in regards to syria. It would make him a complete lame duck before his time.

furthermore, I think it's way premature to think that this will lose in the congress.

You're fantasizing with no facts or evidence to back you up.

[elehhhhna]

23. betyerass the bribes are rolling into COng right effing now.

Every time the threaten to do or not do anything, the dough rolls in and they go the profitable route. EVERY. TIME.

[Isoldeblue]

3. I don't believe that he is

that dishonest to do things that way. He is pretty forthright and upfront. He does not play games like that.

He isn't perfect. No man would be the perfect president for all the people. And I have some real heartburn on his mj stand.

But I still trust him overall in this situation.

[loyalsister]

16. I agree

On one hand, I keep thinking "he knows better!"
At the same time, I know that the nature of the presidency is such they rely heavily on their advisors. And, their opinions are shaped by experience and information we are not privy to. I also trust John Kerry.

I see a real distinction between this and Iraq where we went in to start a war. And the outside interests involved made it very different, as well.

I can't describe my views as being supportive. But I am trusting the president and accepting it with a heavy heart.

[Isoldeblue]

20. loyal sister,

my heart is heavy too. And I am sure that President Obama's heart is as well.

I don't know of any other leader in my 68 years, that I felt that I could put my trust in, but him. Even then, I am leery at times.

Comparing him to Bush or Syria to Iraq is ludicrous.

[Turbineguy]

4. Maybe it's a cunning plan.....

the repubs vote no. He accuses them of being sensible and forbids them to be crazy from now on. Under these circumstances the teabaggers will never vote for them again and 2014 we see a Democratic majority.

[Jesus Malverde]

10. I like how you think.

3D chess is not for everyone.

[NoOneMan]

13. Well, US Congress is the center of the Universe afterall

So all this hub-bub saber rattling is surely just 8-dimensional chess to secure votes, rather than some attempt to "save" people or pad the MIC's pockets. In the end, its all about us, us, us (or me, me, me since I don't know you)

[Hekate]

5. He definitely tossed them the hot potato.

[leftstreet]

6. Is Boner obligated to bring this to a vote?

[Schema Thing]

7. Well fuck, of course he didn't want this war

WHAT THE HOLY FUCK IS WRONG WITH DU???


We elected Obama, and he/his cabinet is NOT at all like Bush/Cheney and their cabal. They actually got elected PLANNING to invade Iraq. They looked the other way while Al Qaeda planned to attack us just so they could have their war.


Good people don't want war. That doesn't change the fact that it's a monumental mistake by America and the world to let a chemical weapon attack go unanswered. Chemical weapons like sarin can not be targeted narrowly enough to allow them in to wars; they are as likely, strike that, more likely to kill civilians, children, housepets, as they are to kill combatants.

[kimbutgar]

8. He's in a no win situation whatever he chooses

But when fox starts attacking him for inaction they will be tied in knots because the republicans voted against action. Obama is tying the republicans in knots. Pop the popcorn the warmongers will be mad that their GOP congress members voted against enriching the defense contractors because they are the only ones who will benefit. The neo cons want a war but the GOP hates Obama so much they won't do their bidding.

Being POTUS is a shitty job in this hyper partisan country these days.

[wandy]

9. It does make one wonder. President Obama's usual tactic is to try.....

to negotiate. One continuing concern has been that Obama hesitates to use blunt force. Even when it is called for.
Consider his dealings with Putin involving Snowden. He showed resolve without going overboard.

The recent actions of John Kerry are untypical to say the least. Believing that Kerry would allow the U.S. military to be used as mercenarys (the Arab states will pay for the operation) is...words fail.
What is more Kerry does not lie well. It shows.

I draw a blank from here.

[Aristus]

15. The congressional vote against the war opens the opportunity for the President to negotiate

without the repukes going on Fox and screaming: "APPEASEMENT!"

If he tried negotiation first, and it failed, the repukes would scream for war, for innocent blood, for war industry profits.

I think it was a brilliant move for him to request authorization from Congress. And also the right thing to do.

[wandy]

19. It was assuredly the right thing to do. What is more........

If congress votes against war and Obama backs down gracefully, that would almost count as an act of greatness.

If this is the way it goes down forget about republicans screaming appeasement.
It will tie them in knots.

There is more than one civil war going on here.

[NoOneMan]

11. "win-win-win"

In matters that are supposedly serious enough to be talking about war, do political "wins" mean shit? Why are people still thinking about these things and framing issues in this manner?

Anyway, in my opinion, the cat is so far out of the bag its a loss if he doesn't. It'll likely be a loss politically if he does--even if it goes perfectly. It doesn't really matter. He isn't up for reelection. So we should be concerned with what is right.

For the record, I don't think lobbing bombs at a country makes things better. I care fuck all how this manifests politically

[monmouth3]

12. I would NEVER play poker with the Pres. This has also crossed my mind...Hahaaha...n/t

[LondonReign2]

14. Ah jeez

Then, when Obama loses the vote, the sycophants here will say they never really wanted war either, despite defending 24-7 what they assumed the Obama position was.

[joeybee12]

17. Aw, three-dimensional chess, I see...

I guess it's a lot easier to believe that Obama is such a freaking genius that his moves defy rational explanation rather than to just say, hey, he's human, and he really phucked up on this one.

[fujiyama]

18. It's certainly possible

The "red line" comment may have been simple saber rattling. If Obama were really interested in intervening, he would have shown more enthusiasm supporting the rebels earlier on as Hillary, Paneta, and several others had pushed him to do. He resisted the whole time. He may have felt like he boxed himself in with the red line comment and knew that asking Congress to take this up would be a way to get out of it. In general, I feel Obama is pretty careful and cautious.

As far as I'm concerned, that's fine. I actually admire someone that can turn back (even if it's at the last minute) and not rush into things. Besides, since when was it wrong NOT to rush into war? Or NOT to consult Congress when doing so?

We'll see what the administration does after Congress votes on this, whether we're right or not. I'd rather have him "lose face" and get his ego bruised than get this country stuck in some awful quagmire. Too bad some previous Presidents didn't have the same sense.

[tavernier]

21. Wow, a thread that doesn't draw and quarter Obama

and feed his intestines to the livestock!??

*checking the top of the page to make sure I'm really in DU*

[hvn_nbr_2]

22. If he doesn't give the MIC/PNAC/National Security State the war they demand...

then he would end up in a box next to JFK. By handing off the hot potato to Congress, he outfoxes them. A scenario that I've certainly considered.

[Crimson76]

24. Stop acting like President Obama is a tool of anyone

He is a grown ass man, who knew what the job entailed. He hired his advisors, makes the decision, stop acting like he cant cut his own food.