McCain: Syrian rebels feel ‘abandoned’

thehill.com ^ | 9/11/13 | Johathan Easley

[cotton1706]

Sen. John McCain (R-Ari.) said Wednesday that the rebels engaged in a civil war with Syrian president Bashar Assad feel “abandoned” by President Obama.

“I was very disappointed that the president did not mention the Free Syrian Army and our moral and material assistance for them, which is required,” McCain said on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe." “I think they do feel that they’re being abandoned.”

“I feel badly, very badly for my friends in the Free Syrian Army today,” he added.

In his Tuesday night prime time address, Obama asked Congress to put on hold resolutions to authorize a military strike to take out Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal while the administration seeks a peaceful solution to the crisis through the United Nations.

McCain said that while the diplomatic route might work, it wouldn’t come fast enough for the Syrian rebels because Assad began his bombing campaign against them as soon as it became clear that Congress would not act.

“There’s nothing that will drive Syrians more into the hands of the extremists than to feel that they have been abandoned by the West, and that impression I’m sure has been made on them today,” McCain said.

Not everyone in McCain’s party has such high regard for the rebel forces. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the groups opposing Assad could not be trusted because they’re affiliated with al Qaeda and other terror networks, and had committed atrocities of their own, including the slaughter of Christians.

[cotton1706]

All together now: "Aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

[cripplecreek]

McCain should go comfort them.

[barmag25]

This gut needs recalled for supporting terrorists. Can you recall a senator in Arizona?

[WayneS]

Poor alQueda. Poor, poor alQueda. Abandoned by their best friends.

[freedomson]

“Now when I cut off a Christian’s head, I feel so empty..... so alone.”

[Mouton]

So, I guess since they feel abandoned, they can take out their frustrations on the local Christian community? Frankly if they keep on brutalizing the Christians in Syria, I’d welcome another gas attack on them.

[Thane_Banquo]

Boo-frickin’-hoo. Someone hurt Al Qaeda’s wittle feewings.

[TomGuy]

McCain shows more concern for the Syrian rebels (possibly with al-Qaeda affiliation) than he does for those Americans assaulted and killed because of his constant pushes for open borders and amnesty.

McCain should try representing the people who elected him.

[Darksheare]

If McCain wants to support Al-Qeada so badly, especially today, he can haul his darn are over there and support them himself!

[DoodleDawg]

Can you recall a senator in Arizona?

You can't recall a senator or congressman from any state.

My question is that there are a butt load of countries in the area who are opposed to Assad and who, apparently, are not helping the rebels. Why are we the ones who abandoned them?

[WayneS]

I have never liked him, but I have never before questioned his patriotism.

Now, however, I am now comfortable stating that Senator John McCain is a traitor to the United States of America.

[chasio649]

McCain is so out of touch....it’s rather pathetic. Americans have had enough of the meddling in the ME...at least all the people i know are just plain sick of even hearing about it.

[Timber Rattler]

“I feel badly, very badly for my friends in the Free Syrian Army today,” he added.

You mean these friends, Juan?

[knarf]

John;

I'm sorry you've been a POW in Viet Nam and I'm sorry if they made your arms crooked and I'm sorry if you've suffered your entire post service life with pain and medication.

I'm sorry you may be battling cancer

Most importantly, I'm sorry you're a member of what was once a special group of men .. the Senate of The United States.

I'm sorry you've turned traitor to the nation that honored you, supported you and continued to assist you in your political endeavors.

I'm sorry you're still being given face time to people that may not know what kind of a man you were, but that you are now another.

I'm sorry you're calling yourself an American.

[TomGuy]

You can't recall a senator or congressman from any state.

There was a time when politicians who failed to represent those who elected them would face a tar and feathering when they came home. The fear of that kept many a politician on the straight and narrow.

Supposition: If it were reinstated, and a few found themselves in such a condition, I bet we would see and entire shift in politics at both the state and national levels.

[Caipirabob]

These are the rebels who are raping and killing Christian villages. Of course McCain sympathizes.

[cotton1706]

Federal officeholders cannot be recalled, as far as I know, because their offices exist by way of the US Constitution.

In the old days, when the legislatures chose the senators, they could basically remove a senator by choosing their successor early. The legislature here in MA did that with John Quincy Adams. And the same happened to senators who voted to acquit President Johnson.

But as the law stands now, McCain is in office till he dies, resigns, is expelled by the senate or removed by the people.

[yldstrk]

good

[Zhang Fei]

My question is that there are a butt load of countries in the area who are opposed to Assad and who, apparently, are not helping the rebels. Why are we the ones who abandoned them?

Because we are military welfare providers to the world. It's Gaia's edict that Americans are uniquely responsible for feeding our young men into the meat grinder and setting fire to mountains of greenbacks in order to help Sunni Muslim mass murderers who would like nothing more than to see us drowning in our own blood.

[seeker41]

Who the f cares, send the old fool to syria to fight.