Analysis: Obama's Credibility on Line in Reversal

Yahoo News Via AP ^ | September 1, 2013 | Julie Page

[lbryce]

For more than a week, the White House had been barreling toward imminent military action against Syria. But President Barack Obama's abrupt decision to instead ask Congress for permission left him with a high-risk gamble that could devastate his credibility if no action is ultimately taken in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack that crossed his own "red line."

The stunning reversal also raises questions about the president's decisiveness and could embolden leaders in Syria, Iran, North Korea and elsewhere, leaving them with the impression of a U.S. president unwilling to back up his words with actions.

The president, in a hastily announced statement Saturday in the White House Rose Garden, argued that he did in fact have the power to act on his own. But faced with the prospect of taking action opposed by many Americans, the commander in chief tried to shift the burden and instead round up partners on Capitol Hill to share in that responsibility.

[lbryce]

Barack Obama is a man on fire. It always amazes me the manner in which nothing fazes him no matter the circumstance. Whether it is lunch with Putin pushing his wily adversary to the very limit in relentless fashion doing the business of master Commander-in-Chief who knows nothing is as fundamental as the peace and security of the United States. He knows it and he lets Putin know it. Or the way he lost Egypt in such dramatic flair, the self-assurance and bravado, in telling Mubarak his time has come, one of the many innumerable facets come to life, like so many brilliant stones encrusted on the crest of his family jewels by way of the cornucopia of ideas and abilities bestowed upon him via "the Gift" in the manner in which he keeps the world at bay.

And now, after backing off from the punishment he had warned Assad about in the aftermath of Assad after having crossed the Obama-ian line in the sand believing he was dealing with Obama's predecessor, Obama retreats into the persona that has served him best,clueless bumbler, wearing his political rope-a-dope approach like the finest hand tailored suit.

That Obama, Community-leader extraordinaire, those seventeen social security numbers have served him well, he plays coy, unready, lost but when the moment strikes he's like a stealth predator coming in to the kill with the heart of platypus and the courage of none.

[Paladin2]

Bammy’s pic is in the dictionary with the definition of “incredible”.

[tomkat]

.. 'credibilty' ..

             

         < gasping >

             

[DJ Frisat]

"It always amazes me the manner in which nothing fazes him no matter the circumstance."

Yet another way in which he is very much like Chauncey Gardner...

[Sacajaweau]

He's getting clobbered on the talk shows.

And of course, right after reversing himself, he went golfing. Who would have thunk.

[TomGuy]

Female panelist on FoxNews Sunday said that Obama has reversed himself 5 times on Syria in recent months.

No wonder many potential coalition allies are running away from any Syrian involvement with Obama.

[FatherofFive]

0bama cannot make a decision.

He voted "Present" again.

This is a total failure of leadership. But in this case letting our enemies in Syria kill each other is the best action we can take. We cannot fight on the side of Al Quida.

[don-o]

Chauncey Gardner...

I like to watch.

[JPG]

"Let me be clear."

"As I've said many times."

"Uh, er, ah, um".

~ B. H. Obama

[edpc]

As I have said in other threads, they’re expecting and counting on a no vote to have the issue for 2014.

[Paladin2]

""Here's my question for every member of Congress and every member of the global community: What message will we send if a dictator can gas hundreds of children strangulate an Economy and People's Liberty to death in plain sight and pay no price?" Obama asked Saturday."

[Paladin2]

"After a long walk around the White House's grounds with his chief of staff, Obama summoned some of his top aides and told them he now wanted to hold off on launching an attack until Congress had its say."

ValJar is a poor leader. She can't even get the Caliphate off the ground....

[lurk]

Has anyone seen even a line of his MLK50 speech this week?
Not even a whisper of loving fealty from the press?

The man remains politically alive only because the press is running interference for him. But alive means still dangerous.

[SERKIT]

You have to have credibility before you can put your credibility at risk.

[lbryce]

How else is he going to get in the rounds of golf.

Obama golfs as Washington burns.

[Mr. K]

[righttackle44]

Is the talk of impeachment beginning to effect him?

[Diogenesis]

Obama is a fraud, only in power by perjury of Pelosi,
and the complete abdication of a treasonous,
selfserving, whoring Congress.

[repentant_pundit]

0baMao's strategy is clear: Dump this mess on Congress.

Then blame Congress.

With his lap-dog media, that strategy works every time.

[Chaguito]

If I were a congressman, I would argue that it was a couple of rogue commanders in the field who did this, that nobody in the presidential palace knew what was going on, and that the regime shouldn’t be punished. Above all, there is no proof that Assad himself was ever apprised of this action. A close associate of Assad says they were playing Spades when out of nowhere came this news of a chemical attack.