War by Teleprompter

"But barring dramatic events in Syria itself, the world will not change on Tuesday. Partisan politics will not stop at the water’s edge, and the president is unlikely to substantially increase public support for military action against Syria. It’s not because, as you’ll hear often in the days ahead, he’s a pale shadow of great presidents of yore; it’s just the way American politics really works."

George C. Edwards III is university distinguished professor of political science and Jordan chair at Texas A&M University. His most recent book is Overreach: Leadership in the Obama Presidency.

President Obama will probably give a very good speech on Tuesday night...he's good at that. But whatever he has on the teleprompter,  I agree with Professor Edwards that it won't make a darn bit of difference in public opinion or in the key votes that he needs to get in the House. The administration has yet to make a convincing case for doing whatever it is they are going to do in Syria, and the dithering has both removed the element of surprise and has allowed the Syrians to move potential targets. What happens if we strike and create what is so euphemistically called "collateral damage", killing of innocent civilians? What do we say to the world at that point?

A fireworks display in Syria is not going to deter Iran from its present course, nor will it convince the mental patient in charge of North Korea. This is a complete waste.

They ought to take this back to the U.N.