2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumTPM: Obama Reportedly Smacked Down Criticism Of His Syria Policy As 'Horsesh*t'
By CATHERINE THOMPSON
AUGUST 12, 2014, 8:18 AM EDT
President Barack Obama reportedly got heated during a private meeting with lawmakers last month, where he shot down criticism of his decision not to arm Syrian rebel fighters as "horsesh*t.'
The Daily Beast's Josh Rogin published a report Monday that cited two lawmakers inside the July 31 meeting who described the President as "visibly agitated" when met with bipartisan criticism of his approach to the civil war in Syria.
One of the unnamed lawmakers told Rogin that a detailed question from Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who criticized a range of the Obama administration's foreign policy approaches, prompted the President to defend his policy on Syria. The idea that arming Syrian rebels earlier on in the conflict would have led to a more desirable outcome was "horsesh*t," Obama reportedly said.
White House officials confirmed the heated exchange to Rogin but wouldn't confirm that Obama used that colorful language. The President previously made the same argument in an interview with CBS, calling it a "fantasy" that sending arms to Syrian rebels could put them in a position to defeat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also criticized Obama's Syria policy in an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg published this weekend.
more...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-reportedly-said-syria-criticism-horsesh-t
monmouth3
(3,871 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)or 2012 would have been grabbed by what became ISIS, and our troubles would have started sooner. Isn't it awesome that Hillary was working with Petraeus and Panetta behind Obama's back to plan this shit, BTW? You don't hear much from Petraeus or Panetta nowadays--both involved in arms being moved around from Libya to Syria perhaps? Notice the neocons and GOP aren't questioning them anymore about these things.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)Last edited Tue Aug 12, 2014, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)
Reed discusses Hillary Clinton's recent comments to Jeff Goldberg regarding arming 'moderate' Syria revels in the segment What is U.S. Role in Iraq?? It is video #4 and begins at about 12 minutes, 30 seconds.
He sides with the President's position.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)When Libyans disagree with the Libyian leader Obama tells the Liybian leader to step down.
When Syrians disagree with the Syrian leader Obama tells the Syrian leader to step down.
When Egytians disagree with the Egyptian leader Obama tells the Egyptian leader to step down.
When Americans disagree with the American leader Obama tells them they are horseshit.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)rather than as "a minority of Americans" or "some Americans".
Robbins
(5,066 posts)I am opposed to any involvement In middle east conflicts.
have we forgetten the rebels we backed In afghanstain become al-queda?
Obama Is closer to my postion than Hillary so I am with him.
MrTriumph
(1,720 posts)Pres. Obama is right on this one. If there were any moderates, how come they couldn't get face time on CNN? I realize she did not attend the July 31 meeting, but she too has expressed criticism that Pres. Obama did not better equip the moderates. So it is fair to demand of her: Hillary, show me the moderates!
GeorgeGist
(25,294 posts)MrTriumph
(1,720 posts)x
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)the second should be " Do no harm."
All too often, we've taken a problem and turned it into a major catastrophe.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)Not me or any of the american taxpayers.
I'm sick of how they suddenly find the money for their warmongering. The US should stay out of the middle east.
anti partisan
(429 posts)ISIS would not be dangerous if it were not for OUR weapons.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)the munitions merchants. We need to get back into that frame of mind.