If Congress prevents Obama from acting, he is off the hook, and TParty Congress takes the hit when things get really ugly in Syria–which you can count on. And the delay works both ways. It gives time for Obama to seek more international cooperation, allow the Frog guerremacht to ramp up, mobilize more US naval and air assets for back up, and degrades Syria’s ability to fight the rebels. Right now Assad is dispersing his forces and digging in for American strikes, not aggressively pursuing the offensive. Meanwhile, the rebels will get a breather, and receive more aid.

As for the politics–well, welcome to the new Washington. As long as the disloyal opposition’s major priority is humiliating Obama, frustrating his programs and appointments, and sabotaging the economy, not much else is going to get accomplished.

This new development has put the Right on the defensive.

King is at least partly fos as are most congressmen. The idea that he is undermining future exec authority is ridiculous. Over the centuries, there has been too many exceptions for any potus in this era to set precedents. Potus tend to do what they want to do within reason, determined by their popularity, and political considerations.

I do think he takes a huge hit if he is stymied by Congress, and worse if Assad kills another thousand while Obama pats his foot. I actually think Assad will be afraid to use chems again. This “crisis” may be sufficient to make him hesitate for the short term. Long term is a different matter that depends on how the rebels fare.

Bottom line imo, none of it is about saving lives or doing then right thing. It is all political maneuvers

Sen McCain can just go somewhere and eat worms.

As for bringing Congress into the decision, isn’t that what they wanted? Isn’t it the right thing to do from a constitutional point of view? That’s been my point of view since I started posting on this issue.

Only Congress is constitutionally empowered to declare war, or to authorize military action short of war, except in those cases where the Executive must act immediately. This is not one of those cases. If Mr Obama proceeds without Congressional authorization, one of the most important checks and balances provided to us by the founders will be lost forever, and regardless of how this particlar incident turns out in the short term, a very dangerous precedent will be set for the future. ER, Flame, 8/29

Now lets see if Congress gets the hint.

Don’t get me wrong, staying out of Syria, no matter what those crazies are doing to each other, is not necessarily a bad idea. Intervening in mass slaughter isn’t a bad idea either. But if you feel that strongly about it one way or the other, let it be because that is what your judgement tells you–not just because you can’t wait til Obama fucks up.

we might actually take you seriously.

I think the wingnuts are pissed because Obama outmaneuvered them–by doing the right thing. That always makes them look bad.

Obama got himself into this with his “red line” and now see’s his own blunder. He got sacked and shoveled the ball to congress. Embarrassingly poor leadership.

Obama should bring back the Congress at least right after Labor Day and get on with the proceedings if he really means it. I’m sure there will have to be some classified intelligence that will have to be reviewed before a vote will happen and all that will probably take a week. Might make for good timing regarding the UN inspectors results from their investigation.

At this belated point in time we look like bullies spreading our power and arrogance only fueling the rage for those condeming Western ways.