Persuade a majority of the American People that its the right thing to do. And then each member of congress is going to have to decide if i think its the right thing to do for the Americas National security, and the worlds national security, then how do i vote . Ultimately, you listen to your constituents, but you have also got to make some decisions about what you believe is right for america. Laura now, when the president tried to explain why he went to congress he instead made a stark confession. Did i not put this before Congress Just as a political ploy or symbolism. I put it before congress because i could not, honestly claim that the threat posed by assads use of chemical weapons on innocent civilians women
and children posed an imminent direct threat to the united states. Laura bingo. That is one of the main reasons why the American People left, right, and center are so vehemently against blowing one dime in syria or jeopardizing the lives of our Military Personnel there there is no imminent threat but there are major questions that this administration cannot to this day adequately answer. Questions about the identity and motivation of the rebels. Questions about how we payr als about what our real objectives are and achievable after mission creep. After a week of trying to sell this the administration and its supporters in the g. O. P. Establishment have raised more questions than they have answered. This is why, with the exception of a called dry of washington elites left right and center are united against action in syria in this country. Will our representatives be guided by the bipartisan demands of the people
more chaos and more suffering in the end by innocence. A stronger, more prosperous america. Not more establishment wars of choice will lead to a more stable, peaceful world. Thats the memo. Now on to the top story. Reaction with us now is robert kagan. An old friend and Senior Fellow at the brookings institute. Mr. Kagan. Now you and i over the years have talked a lot about iraq and you are a learned scholar and incredibly prolific writer. In the end when you look at this today, hat the administration not lost ground in the past week when they tried to sell this war, justify the war and maybe even circumscribe the length, the duration and commitment in this war . I think they have clearly lost ground and not just this past week. The public mood really shouldnt be that surprising when you consider that for five years President Obama has been telling the American People that they should be nationbuilding at home, not involved overseas. Populationism popped up for no reason. What happened in iraq and afghanistan both wars i was a huge supporter of. And i love our troops. I do a lot as much as i can to help them. See the public doesnt the bang for the buck. We are weaker after all these military engagements. China hasnt been involved in any wars lately have they . They are pretty strong right now. First of all your history is excellent it was a reaction to world war i. Ultimately an overreaction. And the problem that, you know, American Public opinion can go swinging wildfully one side all the way to the other side. Whose fault is that . Its the elites fault, is it not . Its everybodys fault. In the case of the 20s and 30s. The elite was exactly where the public was. I think what the real question is does any of this matter or not . And that the public opinion, you know perfectly well we were both supporters of the iraq war and so was the overwhelming majority of the iraq
people. Laura what happened not carrying about. I dont think he didnt care there was bad military decisions made and we paid a big price and we are still paying a price for it and i agree with. You this is are the pa of the legacy of iraq because people see the broken men who came back and women the clasped economy and jobless here. Iraq is in total chaos. It was in better shape before barack obama decided to pull out every last american troop and made that decision. Obama has been a disaster there no doubt about that. That people have been making terrible mistakes there is no question about it. But, unfortunately that Doesnt Absolve us from the need to make a decision now about whats in our interest. Who are we funding in syria today . I mean, you know what we found out about factions inside the opposition mood. There were factions inside the Syrian Movement and clearly there is Al Qaeda Al Qaeda affiliates
although, how much more i guess the question i would like to ask is how much will would he be hurting if we are living in a world where all kinds of dictators are using chemical weapons, weapons of mass destruction, where we have retreated in the face of iranian challenges in the face of russian challenges and face of hezbollah. Believe it or not, things can get worse. The fact that we are suffering economically at home does not mean its in our interest to do nothing about whats going on overseas. Up next, President Obama faces uphill battle to convince congress to support Military Action in syria. So can he change enough minds to get what he wants . Well have a special report. Right back. [ male announcer ] this is pam. Her busy saturday begins with back pain, when. Hey pam, you should take advil. Why . You can take four advil for all day relief. So i should give up my two aleve for more pills with advil . Youre joking right . For my back pain, i want my aleve