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(Image source: G20.org)
BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN
Would President Obama authorize a strike in Syria even without the support of Congress?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: "I think it would be a mistake for me to jump the gun and speculate. ... Right
now I'm working to get as much support as possible out of Congress." (Via Fox News)
That was President Obama on Friday at a press conference in St. Petersburg. He was asked
what he'd do in Syria without congressional approval.
A response HuffPost's Jennifer Bendery characterized as a refusal to give a direct response.
Actually, that's not just a characterization.
He literally, verbatim said that when another reporter asked a follow up.
OBAMA: "You are not going to get any direct response." (Via WFXT)
That's the kind of answer that drives the press wild. He didn't say no; he didn't say
yes.
In any case, it seems Americans lean more toward no. A recent Washington Post-ABC News
poll found 59 percent opposed a strike against Syria.
Side note on that: When The Washington Post conducted a similar poll last year, It found
a majority supporting military action if it was determined chemical weapons were used
against civilians.
The White House has since determined the Assad regime used chemical weapons, including deadly
sarin gas, against its own people, including women and children. (Via ITN)
Still, both President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have made the case that
doing nothing isn't really an option when it comes to Syria, which is probably why on
the one hand President Obama says: "As commander in chief, I also preserve the right and responsibility
to act on behalf of America's national security." (Via WABC)
But also added the caveat: "But I did not take this to Congress as an empty exercise."
So yeah, he technically could act without Congress — but given public opinion against
military action, it's probably politically prudent to at least have the support of lawmakers.
Republican House Speaker John Boehner pledged his support earlier this week.
BOEHNER: "I am going to support the president's call for action. I believe my colleagues should
support this call for action." (Via Bloomberg)
A resolution on the table would essentially put a 90-day deadline on action in Syria to
avoid an open-ended commitment. A Senate committee passed it this week, and it's expected to
get full votes next week.
As for the chance of congressional disapproval, hard to predict, but CNN's latest count has
four "no" votes for every "yes" in the House.