Will Congress Support Military Action In Syria? A ThinkProgress Whip Count [UPDATED] -- Think Progress
As members of Congress consider President Obama’s request to authorize military force in Syria, following evidence that President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons killed over 1,400 people, a ThinkProgress analysis of the public statements of 413 Representatives found that 217 lawmakers have either decisively ruled out supporting the measure or say they are unlikely to back it. Just 44 of the 413 members of the House of Representatives said they will definitely or likely vote in favor or the resolution.
A vote in the House is not expected until next week at the earliest. 152 members have publicly said they are undecided and the positions of 20 members are unknown. All told, 322 members either have not decided, or indicated they are willing to consider changing their position.
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My Comment: If these numbers are true .... and if the numbers hold .... this will be a major defeat for President Obama. It will also be the first time in American history that a US President has been denied the use of the US Military in implementing his national security policy .... a case that he has yet to make to the American public.
As to what is my prediction .... the US Senate will vote in favor of the resolution that authorizes the use of force, but the House of Representatives will not. Congress members are listening to their constituents, and they are receiving overwhelming opposition from the public to US military forces being involved in Syria .... and I expect them to vote accordingly. In my own informal and unscientific poll of my own American friends and contacts .... from far left liberals like my sister in law in San Francisco to my libertarian friends in Texas .... only two support a military strike, one hundred (plus) are against.
As to what is my opinion ....President Obama will need to make an address to the American people and present his case because at the moment I am definitely against any U.S. involvement in Syria.
