The two McCain amendments to that effect, co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), change the non-binding Statement of Policy in the resolution to say:
It is the policy of the United States to change the momentum on the battlefield in Syria so as to create favorable conditions for a negotiated settlement that ends the conflict and leads to a democratic government in Syria.
The amendments point to degrading the Assad regime's chemical weapons capability and the arming of Syrian opposition as means of reversing the situation on the ground in Syria, where the Assad regime is generally considered to be winning.
The language appears to address McCain's concerns about the resolution that he voiced Wednesday morning when he said he would not support the resolution as it was then written. McCain has consistently said he supports further U.S. intervention in Syria to topple Assad.
The White House has repeatedly said that its goal with military intervention is not “regime change.”
http://live.reuters.com/Event/Syria_9
Notes from ABC interview with U.S. Senator Risch, who voted no on Syria resolution:
Senator Risch: “We’re talking about using the might and power of the U.S. military... I don’t view this as a matter of national security... had [Syria President] Assad used chemical weapons against any American ... or allies [names Israel], this would have been a no-brainer for me”
Risch continues: “Chemical weapons do not meet international norm but remember this isn’t first time this happened... [Assad] has been using for 14 months... Saddam Hussein used it on his own people, Kurds, Iranians... U.S. and international community didn’t rise up... that’s not an excuse... it’s a really, really bad thing to do... the question is what should response be and by who”
Wow! McCain put out quite the headline grabbers this morning, didn't he?
U.S. Senator McCain does not back Senate panel draft authorizing force in Syria
Said on another thread: I question whether this is a blow and a rebuff to Obama. This may be more of the good cop/bad cop routine that Obama and McCain have been carrying on for weeks.
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He and Obama have been on the same page from the beginning.
Kerry/McCain doin the Lying Alinsky two-step on Obama's behalf, while Obama removes his lying self to Sweden to test how his new moderated-rage global talking-points ("I didn't set a red line, etc., etc.") will play out on the global stage.
Before we discuss where the Ship of State is heading in war with Syria and who knows else, maybe we should have a national discussion about mental illness. I'm getting the suspicion we are having a Captain Queeg moment---or two.