The last hour has seen a sudden escalation in the Syrian-Strike-Nado. Following earlier comments from Hillary Clinton, President Obama also confirmed the Russian offer on Syria is "potentially positive" though "skeptical" that it will be followed through on. Harry Reid then hits the tape with news of a delay in the 'test vote' - hardly a signal of resounding support. Then Assad, via his twitter account, compares Obama to Bush among other things. And then finally, Obama announces he has not made a decision on next steps if Congress doesn't support military strikes. Gold is modestly higher, oil slightly lower. Equities remain happy with the uncertainty and are extending gains. In the meantime, Reuters finds [8] that 63% of Americans now oppose intervening in Syria.
First:
BREAKING: Obama: Talk of Syria ditching chemical weapons a potential "breakthrough," but still skeptical
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2013 [9]
Then this:
- *SENATE LEADER HARRY REID DELAYS SYRIA STRIKE TEST VOTE: AP
Then Assad pipes in...
#Assad [10]: We expected this US administration to be different from Bush’s. They are adopting the same doctrine with different accessories.
— Syrian Presidency (@Presidency_Sy) September 9, 2013 [11]
And here are 2 exceprts from the Charlie Rose interview:
Assad explains he is against WMDs...
and his message to the American people...
Then Obama adds...
MORE: Obama says he hasn't "decided" on a next step if Congress doesn't authorize military strike on Syria: http://t.co/WewMKZQSIM [12] -JM
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2013 [13]
Via AP, [14]
In a series of six network interviews planned as part of a furious lobbying campaign in Congress, Obama said statements suggesting that Syria might agree to surrender control of its chemical weapons stockpile were a potentially positive development.
At the same time, he said they were yet another reason for lawmakers to give him the backing he is seeking.
If we don't maintain and move forward with a credible threat of military pressure, I do not think we will actually get the kind of agreement I would like to see," he said on CNN.
In a separate interview with NBC, the president took the step — unusual for any politician — of conceding he may lose his campaign in Congress for legislation authorizing a military strike.
"I think it's fair to say that I haven't decided" on a next step if Congress turns its back, the president said in an NBC interview, part of a furious lobbying campaign aimed at winning support from dubious lawmakers as well as a war-weary public.
Via Reuters, [8]
Americans' opposition to a U.S. military strike against Syria is increasing as they learn more about the Arab nation's alleged use of chemical weapons, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that shows the challenge President Barack Obama faces in seeking congressional approval for military action.
The poll, conducted September 5 to 9, indicated that 63 percent of Americans opposed intervening in Syria, up from 53 percent in a survey that ended August 30. That was a week after the August 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb that U.S. officials say killed more than 1,400 adults and children.
Meanwhile, support for a U.S. intervention in Syria has declined, the poll found. About 16 percent of Americans surveyed said the United States should get involved - down from 20 percent on August 30.