bottom line: we are in a kakistocracy.
Ubama will make a serious miscalculation if he believes otherwise.
Obama is caving to pressure from Russia and China, and in consultation with his Chief of Staff, made the political calculation that he would blame his cowardice and inaction on the Republican Congress.
It doesn’t matter whether he should or should not act against Syria, the motivations I describe above are the only calculus Obama considered.
Finally, someone gets it right! This is ALL about 2014 politics, been saying it all weekend...
Shameful, but absolutely correct.
If we lose 2014, we also lose those responsible; McConnell and Boehner.
Yes it is a kakistocracy.
This is a different take. 2014? I don’t think the electorate would remember this that long if it goes away. And given current polls, the vast majority are not at all interested in a war for ego. Instead, I wonder if we’re being played for suckers in another way?
Lemme explain. As we all know the ‘rat operating philosophy is to “never let a crisis go to waste.” The timing of this is certainly suspicious. Its not like this is the first or last time the Syrians have used this stuff. Probably not the first or last time this year. So why the sudden urgency? Why now? And then why was it suddenly OK for this to wait till Congress reconvenes?
Is the underlying issue be the upcoming fight over boehnercare? I found it very interesting how the gop wing of the uniparty went into hiding over the Syria issue. Then they came out very quickly with their response after the Saturday I-love-me fest. Gosh. It was almost like it was all ready to go. You don’t think it could have been, well, coordinated do you? Is it cover for boehner and friends to simply ignore the boehnercare defunding because, well gosh golly gee, we all had to talk about Syria?
More questions than answers I’m afraid....
As much as anything else, this puts the lie to all that rhetoric about atrocities and holding people accountable.
If anything, I expect unilateral action by Obama at some point in order to flood the airwaves and hide some breaking bad news. A "wag the Syria" campaign to cover bad economic, Benghazi, NSA, IRS, or FastandFurious news.
“And second, should Republicans who voted for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars now oppose Syria, the president would be armed with clear “evidence” that their opposition is purely political.”
I think this could backfire on Obama. Iraq was post 911, Saddam was flaunting the UN, etc. The mood was much different, there was much more support for military action. Voters will understand a no-vote on this mess in Syria.