White House Takes Credit For Syria’s Apparent Concession (updated)

[ProSense]

Last edited Tue Sep 10, 2013, 12:06 PM - Edit history (1)

White House Takes Credit For Syria’s Apparent Concession

As Syria announced Tuesday morning that it would accept Russia’s offer to hand over its chemical weapons, the White House and other proponents of U.S. strikes rushed to claim credit, arguing that the threat of military intervention brought the Assad regime to the negotiating table.

“In our view, the only reason this is now being seriously discussed by the Russians is because of the threat of U.S. military action,” a senior administration official told TPM. “Were chemical weapons to be transferred into international control and ultimately destroyed, that would be a positive outcome. But, if this has any chance of happening, we need to have the threat of military action in our pocket.”

Lawmakers took the same line in responding to the sudden developments over the last 24 hours.

“While at this point I have healthy skepticism that this offer will change the situation and it will be several days before we can fully determine its credibility, I do know that it never would have been floated if the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had not approved the authorization for the use of force last week,” Sen. Bob Corker, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

- more -

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/09/obama-takes-credit-for-syrias-apparent-surrender.php

Updated to add:

Kerry said the so-called Russian proposal emerged from talks between the president and Putin and Kerry and his counterparts that were happening before Monday's round of public statements.

"This is not something that suddenly emerged. Though it did publicly," Kerry said.

The alternative explanation: Kerry spoke off the cuff and Russia took him up on it.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/syria-crisis-iran-backs-russia-chemical-weapons-plan-live#block-522f39a3e4b0c9a06407daf0

Syria conflict: France to float tough UN resolution
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023636040

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[Aerows]

2. I'm glad to cheer it on, too

This was a showing of a deft hand, and I applaud the Obama Administration for it!

I'm critical, but I will always point out with pride when good decisions are made.

[ProSense]

5. Every bit of positive news is welcomed. n/t

[Aerows]

7. It really is

And I may seem harsh to you, but I am guided by belief and policy. Thank you for pointing out how I can be on board with policy.

[ProSense]

27. .

[Aerows]

28. :D

I'm happy when I can be on board.

[blm]

3. Dems should have known that THIS president and THIS Sec of State

are not war hawks even though they have to BE muscular at times.

There is no way either man would choose war over diplomacy, nor would they fear using military force when the door closes on their diplomatic efforts.

[Skraxx]

4. Warmonger!!!...Oh..Wait...

[2naSalit]

6. Sorry to interupt the

get out of warmongering free pass fest but a key point here is:

“In our view, the only reason this is now being seriously discussed by the Russians is because of the threat of U.S. military action,”

Excuse me but, to me, it sounds like they're saying... "Well, we may not be using the bombs today but we have to keep our military ready to blast anyone who doesn't see us as the badasses we proclaim to be and even though they hate us for our freedom, as long as we can threaten them with bombs and drones, we'll be the top dog."

It's another ad campaign for not cutting DoD funding so we can maintain our bully pulpit, we've heard many versions of this for so long now that it's become rote.

[NYC_SKP]

18. Meh. We would still be badass on half the DOD budget.

'Specially with O-man in da white house!

[leftstreet]

8. Public Opinion: most powerful weapon evah!

I'm just glad no missiles are flying

[hughee99]

9. Perhaps President Obama will win another Peace Prize for this. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

19. It would be well-deserved. nt

[Enrique]

10. i'm glad the attack was diverted

i'm not going to join in the celebration of the wonders of belligerence however.

[PrestonLocke]

11. This news is great, let's see it to reality!

[Johonny]

12. Clearly all the credit goes to Rand Paul and Alan Grayson

for their tough "It isn't any of our business, it is too expensive, we can't do any good, it is too dangerous, the rest of the world isn't doing anything, Obama isn't working with other countries, there is no evidence of chemical weapons blah blah blah" talk.

Seriously LOL in 2016 to those two guys White House runs.

[JDPriestly]

15. Some of the credit definitely goes to them and the rest of the world's peoples who refused

to acquiesce to more violence. This is a huge diplomatic victory for Obama, Kerry and their staffs.

[Aerows]

23. It really is, and I give credit where credit is due. n/t

[Roland99]

13. Of course they do. They take credit for the Cowboys win over the Giants and Nadal's US Open win, too

[JDPriestly]

14. This is great news. A real first. Wonderful.

It won't solve all the problems in Syria, but it is a big step in quieting the conflict without our really having to take sides militarily.

Just wonderful.

[cthulu2016]

16. No one can argue threat of force was not the driver.

It would be a hell of a cooincidence if Syria just picked this week at random to talk about giving up WMD they supposedly didn't even have a few weeks ago.

[Iliyah]

17. Talk with force openly

behind close doors talk compromise with the country that have the most influence on the butcher, Assad.

Go to congress for a vote knowing that the GOPers/Libertarians will vote against you, i.e. Rand Paul (the tea bagger insanes) alongwith Liberal/Progressive Dems, i.e. Grayson ran the charge against . .

Congress was on vacation and he knew they wouldn't rush back, Pres O using the time to talk secretively, while the congress moan and goan.

Pres O and Kerry played hard ball and of course took tremendous trashing by the corporate media, the RWers whom same BS talking points are regurgitated here on the DU.

[CRH]

20. The Obama administration should be careful with this ...

If they can't pass or don't try to pass a resolution with teeth to bite, then Putin and al Assad take two steps back from the table, and Obama looks like a fool.

Obama has already lost this in the eyes of many, for over stepping his political support both national and global. If Putin and al Assad jerk his chain Obama has not a sword but a limp noodle.

It would probably cost him his effectiveness for the remaining three years, a lame duck before his time.

Then his only alternative would be to use presidential precedence to order a unilateral attack. He does this he loses the left, the republicans gut him with impeachment proceedings, as the world laughs.

More can go wrong with this than right.

[ehcross]

21. White House Takes Credit For Syria’s Apparent Concession

The Obama administration undoubtedly has to take credit for having achieved the primary goal that was neutralizing the threat of chemical weapons
in Syria´s stockpiles. Russia´s Putin obviously takes credit too, for having negotiated the deal with Syrians, on terms which are aceptable for everyone. Of course, President Obama´s persistence with his "clear and present threat" of military action eventually lead to a softer stand by Putin.

[Scurrilous]

22. K & R

[Aerows]

24. K&R

x1000

[Baitball Blogger]

25. Hell, yeah.

He absolutely deserves credit. Everyone had a role to play in this. I even appreciate the efforts of progressives who were against the war effort, because it escalated the urgency of the matter.

[last1standing]

26. I'm very happy for Obama to take the credit for a peaceful solution.

Whatever the reality, it will help the cause of peace if leaders believe they can use it to increase their reputations. This goes for Obama, Kerry and Putin.