What is Pres. Obama's political escape route at this point?

[Vinnie From Indy]

I think it is undeniable at this point that Pres. Obama has painted himself into a bad spot politically with the "red line" nonsense and now he appears to be doubling down on striking Syria. I am having a hard time seeing any way for him to avoid a major political defeat on Syria. That is especially true if he gives a national speech advocating striking Syria and Congress votes no on the idea.

It is a tragedy that Obama chose this issue to stake so much political capital on when so many of us begged for a similar level of persuasion and effort in regard to single payer, the public option and greater stimulus.

This will be his legacy if he does not alter his strategy and find some way to save face. I do not know how he can do it at this point.

[The Link]

1. Putin deal with Syria on chemical weapons may at least save him from a humiliation in Congress.

[VanillaRhapsody]

3. OOOOH that will be the new "tact"

nice....

Putin your hero saves the day!

[madrchsod]

16. what humiliation would that be?

[The Link]

26. The rejection of his request to use military force.

[VanillaRhapsody]

2. uh no...

I deny it...

[morningfog]

4. Deny what?

[VanillaRhapsody]

11. what the OP said...

perhaps try reading that before you read my comments would help?

[morningfog]

15. Perhaps writing more than left over brain ooze would help.

The OP said several things. You just denied. All of it? Some of it? The premise?

I am not a mind reader. Even if I were I don't think it would help me in your case.

[VanillaRhapsody]

17. My response was to the Op...

again read it and then my response...not mine first...that might help. I know stalking me around DU is so much fun for you..

[morningfog]

18. I'm going to save you the flattery.

You and your foam bomb are on ignore.

[VanillaRhapsody]

24. actually...my foam turned out to be true!

but go ahead with your bad self....you seem to think you know so much more than I do!

[MNBrewer]

22. Denies reality

twice before breakfast

[morningfog]

23. That's for sure.

[VanillaRhapsody]

25. the OP said "it's undeniable..."

and I said I "deny it..."

OR is the ooze you call a brain not functioning this morning? Subtlety not working for you and morning frog today?

[leftstreet]

5. I bet the NSA scandal is looking good to him about now

[stevenleser]

6. It has been announced. The offer by Russia to have Syria's WMD turned over to international groups

and dismantled. I really hope the President takes it.

[Vinnie From Indy]

8. Agreed!

His current trajectory appears doomed to spectacular failure in the face of such massive public opposition.

[VanillaRhapsody]

12. or it was the plan all along and you were part of it...

[polichick]

9. Susan Rice to speak shortly - wouldn't it be great if she mentioned this...

saying strikes are off?

Somehow, I doubt it though.

[KittyWampus]

7. Speak for yourself when you trash Obama & Kerry's handling of the situation.

[VanillaRhapsody]

13. Exactly...Kitty...

tired of this lame bullshit myself.

[rug]

10. Congress voting no.

That's the excuse to walk away from the reckless rhetoric.

[KittyWampus]

14. Thread WIN!

[Arkana]

21. Exactly. That was always Obama's out.

Make Congress tell him yes or no.

If he hadn't exercised that option, he'd be fucked--but he did.

[L0oniX]

19. The trap door over the alligator pit?

[Arkana]

20. If Congress doesn't approve, he doesn't strike. End of story.

[liberal_at_heart]

27. Backing down can be a noble action. I know in this hubris world we live in some consider it

weak but look what hubris got us into in Iraq.

[Mellow Drama]

28. I'm sad. The republicans will pounce either way.

I really wish there was a way out, but even my professor says it's bad. He said that Obama should back off and let the media blowback taper off. And if he promotes the ACA and immigration reform, it won't be a big deal. But he does need to keep out of the middle east, especially as Bush screwed it all up in the first place.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

29. He owes Putin a big kiss for throwing him a life-preserver.

[pnwmom]

30. Kerry threw out a trial balloon and Putin caught it and took it to the Syrians. n/t

[MisterP]

31. "begged for a similar level of persuasion and effort"

not only were we rebuffed from the WH, we were told right here that we were asking for the impossible--"political climate" this and "you just want a dictator" that
they even gave up on "He's everybody's president," "but Team of Rivals," and "He's only had 1,534 days!"