Posted on 09/05/2013 11:36:54 AM PDT by kristinn
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R,C-SI/Brooklyn) issued the following statement withdrawing support from President Obama’s plan to attack Syria:
“When President Obama announced his plans to strike Syria in response to the discovery that the Assad regime used chemical weapons to kill thousands of men, women and children; my initial reaction, as a Marine combat veteran, was to stand by the Commander in Chief and support immediate, targeted strikes. I believed that the reputation and credibility of the United States was on the line and that we had to send a strong message that the use of chemical weapons is reprehensible and will not be tolerated. Unfortunately, the time to act was then and the moment to show our strength has passed.
“As debate has dragged on in Congress, the President has weakened his position as our leader and deteriorated our credibility on the world stage. The President has changed his red line to the world’s red line, he showed his hand when he should have kept it close, he failed to gain the support of key allies, and continues to delay action indefinitely until Congress acts.
“Now that the Assad regime has seen our playbook and has been given enough time to prepare and safeguard potential targets, I do not feel that we have enough to gain as a nation by moving forward with this attack on our own.
“Additionally I have heard from many constituents who strongly oppose unilateral action at a time when we have so many needs here at home. Thus, after much thought, deliberation and prayer, I am no longer convinced that a U.S. strike on Syria will yield a benefit to the United States that will not be greatly outweighed by the extreme cost of war.”
Rep. Michael Grimm @repmichaelgrimm 58m
Today, I withdrew support for a #Syria strike. Constituents oppose, too many delays, costs outweigh benefits. http://bit.ly/1aa39Sn
The Staten Island Advance article on Grimm's announcement:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Saying President Obama "showed his hand when he should have kept it close," Rep. Michael Grimm on Thursday withdrew his support of a plan to attack Syria.
Grimm -- who on Saturday called on Obama to order an immediate "limited, targeted strike" to disable the Middle East nation's air force and take out their alleged chemical weapons supplies -- now believes the opportunity for such action has passed.
SNIP
finger in the wind
Only makes the right decision when forced to
I guess Pelosi will have to sacrifice one more democrat at the alter for Obama. Who will Pelosi chose to walk the plank?
Just Emailed my Senator Burr R(NC) to vote against bombing Syria. Don’t know if it will help.
Exactly. Knee-jerk support is the worst kind. It allows Obama (or any president) cover for doing somethng that is wrong and dangerous. Grimm’s support is especially bad because he bought the line that we needed to bomb Assad to stop him from gasing his own people. Not to sound cold, but how is that a danger to the US? Bad stuff happens all the time around the world. I’m sure some dictator is doing even worse to his own people at this very moment.
“Additionally, I have heard from many constituents who strongly oppose unilateral action...”.
And my best guess is, THIS one is the overriding reason that Grimm changed his tune.
Not saying that Obama didn’t muck it up in the aftermath, but this guy didn’t get it from the get go and was ready to back Obama to the hilt. Yes Obama ruined it but he has ruined everything he has touched. And Grimm didn’t understand that??
This guy - don’t know his record -seems like a McCain wannabe type, at heart. But his CONSTITUENTS thought otherwise!
Bottom line.
Obama probably wants to do worse, but is contained by the fragile line of our law.
I just emailed my Representative Ron Barber (D) (AZ 2) to urge a NO vote.
He will have a difficult reelection campaign in 2014 against a tough Republican challenger. Maybe he will listen
True, but the bottom line is he is making the right decision, even if he came about it the wrong way.
I just want to see this resolution shot down.
BTW: Has there ever been a Presidential request for authorization to use force that has been voted down by Congress? I cannot think of one.
What took him so long?
At least one truth was told in his press release: they’re getting slammed with calls and its having an impact.
I applaud this response and the chain of thought is reasonable. There’s a moral response that is driven by an emotional reaction to reprehensible actions. But after reflection and listening to his constituents he’s changed his stance. Well done.
It would be epic.
My husband and I each emailed our 2 senators and our congressman this morning. I do think it may help. I doubt they are getting many contacts telling them that we SHOULD go ahead and bomb Syria.
President Stupid announces his terms in advance and then expects Congress to add its imprimatur putting us and all Middle East Christians in peril. Ridiculous.
“BTW: Has there ever been a Presidential request for authorization to use force that has been voted down by Congress? I cannot think of one.”
OOOH
YOu mean if Congress votes down the authorization Obama wants it will be...
(wait for it)
UNPRECEDENTED!!???
(one of Obama’s favorite words)
Finger in wind with head up rear.
me too, Hagan also.
I see he reps both Staten Island and Brooklyn, so when he crosses over to the Island he needs one ideology, and in Brooklyn quite another.
Sort of chap who's for Gay Marriage, but only if the homosexual couple are of opposite sexes and in a State of Grace.
And ... he was a Marine! Semper bi, man!
Obama should have asked for Congressional approval two years ago. The guy is a dumb@ss pure and simple and now trying to weasel out of his position again like he tried to do with Bin Ladin.
Fortunately our country is strong enough to survive incompetency in that office for a few years. Clearly from here on out this guy will do nothing anywhere regardless what happens.
He will not bomb Syria, or stand up for Taiwan or S. Korea or Israel. He will sit on his hands.
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