Should Congress Give the President Authority to Attack Syria?

Absolutely. 

There is a segment on the right that would vote no simply because Obama says he wants it. 

As I suggested last week, Barack Obama was never serious when he warned the Assad regime against crossing the “red line” on the issue of chemical weapons.  He was merely doing what he loves to do best, posture. 

Even if I’m wrong, we should not be focusing on political tit-for-tat when our national interest is involved.

Without question, the President put his credibility on the line by painting lines.  If you’ll forgive the mixed metaphor, Obama may deserve to be hoisted on his own petard.  But that’s not an appropriate or sensible reason for a policy decision. 

[Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton lambasts the President saying that Obama’s credibility on the world stage cannot be resurrected.  I say we  have to try for America’s sake.]

If we accept that credibility is a vital aspect of foreign – and military – affairs, we cannot ignore that the President’s credibility or lack thereof potentially affects us all.  He represents our nation to the world.  Assessments of Barack Obama’s credibility, therefore, bear heavily on how America’s true intentions are judged.  Misjudgments on that score can cause our foes – and friends – to make decisions which are harmful, indeed, to them and to us.

If, for instance, President Obama is unable or seems unwilling to enforce his red line, it’s likely that the potential users of chemical weapons will be emboldened.  And, if so, won’t the possession and use of chemical weapons spread?  Some will use it offensively while others will feel a need to possess them as deterrents. 

It is beside the point to say that there would be no crisis if Obama had not talked about red lines a year ago.  So what?  He did.  And now his credibility problem is the nation’s.

Congress, in my view, has no real choice but to give the President  the authority to act he claims to want.  Our national self-interest requires it.

If such is done, one is left to hope that a sense of obligation compels the President, however reluctantly, to use that authority for his and the nation’s sake.