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Open Thread: Obama Tries to Mop Up Syria Mess With Frantically Rewritten Speech
Townhall.com ^ | September 10, 2013 | Guy Benson

Posted on 09/10/2013 5:33:01 PM PDT by Kaslin

Does anyone believe the president had the foggiest idea what he'll say tonight as recently as mid-afternoon?  He's blown through three different Syria policies -- that we know of -- in the last 48 hours.  And because he promised America a speech, a speech we shall receive.  How will he frame his remarks?  Will they be tailored primarily for a domestic political audience, or for America's adversaries, who have been running rings around him while giggling?  My guess is that he'll issue a deadline and an ultimatum, while talking a lot about how US pressure created an opening for diplomacy to work.  Everyone wins!  Assad gets off with a sternly-worded letter, Putin thoroughly routs the US on the world stage, and Obama stops his political bleeding at home.  Let's update the farcical "smart power" parade:  (1) Syria's regime says it suddenly wants to sign the international anti-chemical weapons treaty, and declare its arsenal...which they've "declared" several times in recent months.  (2) The Obama administration is trying to pretend that John Kerry's screw-up yesterday is what they'd been planning all along.  The shamelessness of this lie is astounding, given their own quotes from yesterday.  (3) Putin, having exploited Kerry's turnover, has again embarrassed the US, this time by derailing his own proposal at the UN.  He's demanding that the US stand down on even the threat of military force, and will no doubt push for a watered-down, toothless UN resolution.  In case you're curious, action at Turtle Bay has been...postponed.  How is the Left is reacting to all of this?  With a hodgepodge of denial and wish-casting:

If Syria actually declares its stockpiles and signs the treaty, would make it *really* hard for them to use weapons again. — Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 10, 2013


I can't believe the White House's strategy on Syria is working out this well. I doubt they can, either. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) September 10, 2013


Does Hayes recall that Assad has already used chemical weapons on several occasions, then adamantly denied doing so, with PR assists from Moscow?  But I'm sure signing a piece of paper will make everything different.  It's not like Russia has a Security Council veto or anything, right?  As for Klein, I'm not sure what else to say.  The Capitol Hill whip count is as ugly as ever -- including in the Senate -- so The One wants the vote delayed.  It will thus be delayed. How Obama will address the Congressional side of all this tonight is anyone's guess, but it will probably involve many references to diplomacy and deliberation.  In the meantime, as we await (and watch) the president's speech, be sure to read today's must-read pieces:  For the third time, here's Julia Ioffe in the New Republic explaining how Obama "got played by Putin and Assad," plus the UK Telegraph's Charles Crawford recapping "the worst day in Western diplomatic history." We'll be back with quick analysis after this thing is in the books.  Parting thought: Rand Paul was planning to deliver response to Obama's case for bombing Syria (which was the original point of this speech). How can Paul respond to an unpredictable address that's been substantially re-written several times? The fun begins at 9pm ET. 


UPDATE - One more: Max Boot shreds the Assad/Putin/Kerry plan.  And by the way, our "allies" in the Syrian opposition are vowing to join forces with Al Qaeda -- one of the many reasons these numbers look the way they do.

UPDATE II
- As far as predictions go, I think Peggy Noonan is spot on, all the way down to the inevitable shameless spin.


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: 0bama; 911truthers; antiwardotcom; basharalassad; bellylaughs; giggles; lewrockwelldotcom; lowcomedy; randsconcerntrolls; syria; vladimirputin
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To: JudyinCanada

USA - Mexico soccer qualifier is on ESPN

FUBO


41 posted on 09/10/2013 6:12:20 PM PDT by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
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To: Kaslin

And yet, this speech will probably cause his poll numbers to go up.

Because the majority of the public has little or no interest in foreign policy.


42 posted on 09/10/2013 6:12:39 PM PDT by Bratch
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To: Kaslin

43 posted on 09/10/2013 6:12:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (I aim to raise a million plus for Gov. Palin. What'll you do?.)
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To: JudyinCanada

You mean he was on time? Usually, the narcissistic ignoramus is late.

I’m not watching.


44 posted on 09/10/2013 6:14:02 PM PDT by fatnotlazy
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To: Leo Carpathian

I think he said “shupport”. Worth hearing.

He is pretty much putting everything on hold and is going to let Putin and Assad bail him out.


45 posted on 09/10/2013 6:15:23 PM PDT by JudyinCanada
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To: Leo Carpathian

USA 1 - Mexico 0
GO USA!


46 posted on 09/10/2013 6:16:03 PM PDT by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
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To: fatnotlazy

Yes - I think he thought the sooner he gets started the sooner he gets out of there.

Must be a game on he wants to see.


47 posted on 09/10/2013 6:17:00 PM PDT by JudyinCanada
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To: Kaslin

I hope the putz cries himself to sleep tonight.


48 posted on 09/10/2013 6:17:11 PM PDT by grobdriver
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To: JudyinCanada

Or a hot date with Reggie Love.


49 posted on 09/10/2013 6:18:47 PM PDT by fatnotlazy
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To: arthurus

I do not for a moment think she all that bright on this one.
Putin will go to the mat to block the Quatar pipeline.
That this props up Assad is incidental.

Actually, I am pretty sure she is aware, but too much of a RINO to say it.


50 posted on 09/10/2013 6:28:13 PM PDT by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
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To: Brad's Gramma

You have a good eye. I never noticed the way his foot is sort of hanging there. Maybe the strings that hold the puppet together are finally showing.


51 posted on 09/10/2013 6:28:36 PM PDT by certrtwngnut (')
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To: Leo Carpathian

USA 2 - Mexico 0
FIFA World Cup Qualifier 79 min


52 posted on 09/10/2013 6:43:35 PM PDT by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
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To: Kaslin

53 posted on 09/10/2013 6:48:45 PM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Kaslin

By the time the talking heads start dissecting Obama’s stop-gap speech, Putin will throw another curve ball to Obama and change the whole dynamic again.

Obama lost the initiative the first day he said “Red Line”.

After that he placed himself in a reactive role.

And Putin has been giving him plenty to react to.


54 posted on 09/10/2013 7:01:38 PM PDT by Iron Munro ("You bring me the man, I'll find you the crime" - Lavrentiy Beria [and Eric Holder])
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To: Brad's Gramma

Saw that. Either he is pigeon toed or a bad photo.


55 posted on 09/10/2013 7:02:45 PM PDT by svcw (Stand or die)
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To: grobdriver

I hope the putz cries himself to sleep tonight.


56 posted on 09/10/2013 7:07:24 PM PDT by Iron Munro ("You bring me the man, I'll find you the crime" - Lavrentiy Beria [and Eric Holder])
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To: Kaslin
I can't believe the White House's strategy on Syria is working out this well. I doubt they can, either. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein)

This is laughable. Here's what I think really happened:

Assad used chemical weapons, hoping to provoke a US response that would draw Putin and Russia to his defense. All of which happened.

With signaling the intent to declare chemical stockpiles and put them under foreign (Russian) control, Assad is buying a LOT of time for Putin/Russia to flood his forces with all sorts of advanced weaponry, including air defense systems, and other weapons that will allow him to really crush the rebellion.

So, if the "strategy" was to prop up the Assad, provoke Putin/Russia to take a direct hand in the situation on terms unfavorable to the US and help diminish US stature and prestige in world, then yes, it's working out very, very well.
57 posted on 09/10/2013 7:09:54 PM PDT by tanknetter
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To: Kaslin

I watched the speech this evening(my wife insisted)with a bunch of FOX commentators afterwards. These people in my thinking don’t show the slightest take or about what is really going on. Putin this afternoon came out and said any agreement without a vowed disclaimer against use of force against Syria being off the table by the USA would void any previous positions or agreement as to the weapons of mass destruction held by Syria. Putin does not want any possible future action that would upset/overthrow the Syrian government which would lead to a gas pipeline across Syria to serve Europe. Russia now has that market. Saudi Arabia especially and neighboring Arab nations want that pipeline for existing and newly discovered gas sources. With the gas to Europe goes and comes very much money, most probably in the form of gold bullion, tons, and billions of dollars or Euros. The money part of the equation is in the hands of European nations such as Germany, England, and especially France and even the USA. Who controls the banking in Europe- the Rothchilds? Who during the last few hundred years has financed other wars in Euope- the Rothchilds? Who in Europe actually controls the operation of the USA Fed Reserve- the Rothchilds? This is the stage, the play, and the actors.


58 posted on 09/10/2013 7:51:43 PM PDT by noinfringers2
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To: Kaslin

I watched the speech this evening(my wife insisted)with a bunch of FOX commentators afterwards. These people in my thinking don’t show the slightest take or about what is really going on. Putin this afternoon came out and said any agreement without a vowed disclaimer against use of force against Syria being off the table by the USA would void any previous positions or agreement as to the weapons of mass destruction held by Syria. Putin does not want any possible future action that would upset/overthrow the Syrian government which would lead to a gas pipeline across Syria to serve Europe. Russia now has that market. Saudi Arabia especially and neighboring Arab nations want that pipeline for existing and newly discovered gas sources. With the gas to Europe goes and comes very much money, most probably in the form of gold bullion, tons, and billions of dollars or Euros. The money part of the equation is in the hands of European nations such as Germany, England, and especially France and even the USA. Who controls the banking in Europe- the Rothchilds? Who during the last few hundred years has financed other wars in Euope- the Rothchilds? Who in Europe actually controls the operation of the USA Fed Reserve- the Rothchilds? This is the stage, the play, and the actors.


59 posted on 09/10/2013 7:52:14 PM PDT by noinfringers2
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To: Kaslin

***I am watching Storage Wars on A&E ***

Me too.

Cannot abide the ‘bunches of folks’ with the snake-hissing ‘S’ enunciation.


60 posted on 09/11/2013 4:24:11 AM PDT by sodpoodle (Life is prickly - carry tweezers.)
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