AP: Obama credibility on the line in Syria flip-flop

Take Vienna--or shut up about it

"When you set out to take Vienna--you take Vienna." Napoleon.

And when you set out to attack Syria--you attack Syria. No need to dither. But Obama is not Napoleon. And even his worshippers in the mainstream media our finally wising up about him.

From an AP analysis piece by Julie Pace:

For more than a week, the White House had been barreling toward imminent military action against Syria. But President Barack Obama's abrupt decision to instead ask Congress for permission left him with a high-risk gamble that could devastate his credibility if no action is ultimately taken in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack that crossed his own "red line."

The stunning reversal also raises questions about the president's decisiveness and could embolden leaders in Syria, Iran, North Korea and elsewhere, leaving them with the impression of a U.S. president unwilling to back up his words with actions.

The president, in a hastily announced statement Saturday in the White House Rose Garden, argued that he did in fact have the power to act on his own. But faced with the prospect of taking action opposed by many Americans, the commander in chief tried to shift the burden and instead round up partners on Capitol Hill to share in that responsibility.

"While I believe I have the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization, I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective," Obama said. "We should have this debate."

Obama didn't care about that debate three days ago.

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