Maybe President Obama didn't want this war.

[fujiyama]

18. It's certainly possible

The "red line" comment may have been simple saber rattling. If Obama were really interested in intervening, he would have shown more enthusiasm supporting the rebels earlier on as Hillary, Paneta, and several others had pushed him to do. He resisted the whole time. He may have felt like he boxed himself in with the red line comment and knew that asking Congress to take this up would be a way to get out of it. In general, I feel Obama is pretty careful and cautious.

As far as I'm concerned, that's fine. I actually admire someone that can turn back (even if it's at the last minute) and not rush into things. Besides, since when was it wrong NOT to rush into war? Or NOT to consult Congress when doing so?

We'll see what the administration does after Congress votes on this, whether we're right or not. I'd rather have him "lose face" and get his ego bruised than get this country stuck in some awful quagmire. Too bad some previous Presidents didn't have the same sense.