US Congress leaders back Obama on Syria

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By Andrea Mitchell and Carrie Dann, NBC News

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton supports President Barack Obama's planned "strong and targeted" response to reported chemical weapons use by Syrian president Bashar Assad, an aide tells NBC News.
"Secretary Clinton supports the president's effort to enlist the Congress in pursuing a strong and targeted response to the Assad regime's horrific use of chemical weapons," said a senior aide to Clinton in her camp's first response since the president laid out his plan to seek congressional approval for a strike.

Clinton, who left the State Department in February, had been noticeably quiet on the Syrian conflict and had faced increasing calls to weigh in. She is widely considered a top contender for the 2016 Democratic nomination, and – if she runs – the case for her presidency is likely to be built largely on her performance as the nation's top diplomat.

She drew criticism for tweeting over the weekend about swimmer Diana Nyad's history-making journey from Cuba to Florida while remaining mum on her assessment of the Obama strategy.

Read more: Hillary Clinton supports president on Syria - First Read

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Wonder why she did this through a spox?

 

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[TD][h=1]John McCain Caught Playing iPhone Poker During Senate Hearing on Syria[/h]



John McCain Plays with iPhone While Advocating Destruction of Syria

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PICTURE of McCain playing poker during Syria hearing is upMcCain playing poker on his iPhone … pic.twitter.com/ejMzAAbh0E
3:04 PM - 3 Sep 2013

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[TD][h=1]Howard Dean backs Obama on Syria strike[/h]



Source: The Hill

Howard Dean backs Obama on Syria strike
By Julian Pecquet - 09/04/13 10:00 AM ET

Former DNC chairman Howard Dean supports President Obama's call for a punitive military strike against Syria.

“Thus far I fully support the president, including his going to Congress,” Dean said in an e-mail to The Hill.

The comments from the standard-bearer of the anti-war left during the 2002 campaign could help Obama gain more support among Democrats for votes next week in the House and Senate on his request.

In the House in particular, Obama is likely to have to count on a strong Democratic vote.



Read more: Howard Dean backs Obama on Syria (video) - The Hill's Global Affairs
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[TD][h=1]Christie: Syrian chemical weapons 'intolerable' but mum on military response[/h]



Source: Bergen Record

Governor Christie called the use of chemical weapons by Syria "intolerable for civilized society" but would not give his opinion Tuesday about whether the United States should respond militarily.

"I'm going to leave that to the people who represent us in Congress to make that decision, Christie said, adding he has great confidence that Sens. Robert Menendez and Jeffrey Chiesa and the rest of the state's delegation will "do what they think is right for America."




Read more:Christie: Syrian chemical weapons 'intolerable' but mum on military response - NorthJersey.com

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Leadership for America
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