I have a number of links on this GD thread re Syria

[karynnj]

51. True - I like Obama, but this pattern of never making a crisp, clear decision is harmful

to his administration and anyone who backs it. He really should have made the decision up front of whether to go to Congress. He has also possibly created another box for himself now - having asked, if he is denied what will he do? I think he loses no matter what - and I suspect the Republicans will see this as their chance to accomplice their main goal - of a failed Presidency.

I don't really see Russia helping Obama out by accepting that Assad uses chemical and helping remove the chemicals - which is maybe the only way to diffuse this.

I understand why he put Kerry as the point man - if anyone could succeed in the administration it likely is Kerry. The risk is that it will totally destroy his proven effectiveness, because of what he has to say. However, in any administration, the sad truth is that everyone except the President is expendable and will be sacrificed for the President. (The fact that Edwards and others flouted this in 2004 has been noted here and - at least for me - was one of many reasons I did not respect Edwards.)

It hurts to read the revival of every personal attack - some combining the attacks from the right with the attacks from the left. It also hurts to think of the promise - of just a month ago - of Kerry having brokered the Israel/Palestine attacks and having reengaged the Pakistanis. Reading things like Putin calling him a liar - distorting completely Kerry's response hurts because I think it shows that one of Kerry's greatest strengths will be compromised by what he has to do here. It was hard watching the SFRC hearing and seeing Kerry respond just as he always has respectfully and, I think, as honestly, as possible -- then seeing the gotcha reporting and the unbelievable twisting here. (The only good thing was seeing Teresa looking far better than I had expected - http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2013/09/03/teresa-heinz-kerry-makes-first-public-appearance-since-illness/ )

It also hurts because here, he either loses or his legacy may be having been part of war rather than peace - even if the Syria attack is just what Obama spoke of.