Deranged Obama Critics Take ‘We Don’t Have A Strategy Yet’ Out Of Context
You may have heard the explosive news that President Obama wore a tan suit yesterday, but did you know he gave a press conference in that tan suit? It was a fairly wide-ranging affair, but to hear the media tell it, the only takeaway is that tan-suited Obama said “We don’t have a strategy yet” for fighting ISIS in Syria. After delivering opening remarks on the economy (which grew at levels that exceeded estimates in the 2nd quarter), the situation in Ukraine (Russia is invading incursioning), and the fight against ISIS (or ISIL, or the Islamic State, or Islamic State-Diddy), the President took questions from reporters, beginning with freshly-minted Meet the Press host Chuck Todd.
Keeping in mind that President Obama had just finished describing a “comprehensive strategy” to deal with ISIS in Syria, here’s the money quote, in response to Chuck Todd asking “Do you need Congress’s approval to go into Syria?”
“But I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet. I think what I’ve seen in some of the news reports suggests that folks are getting a little further ahead of where we’re at than we currently are. And I think that’s not just my assessment, but the assessment of our military as well.”
As Press Secretary Josh Earnest quickly pointed out on Twitter, the President wasn’t referring to an overall strategy to fight ISIS in Syria, but to a specific set of military plans, which should be obvious. Even if he did have one (he likely has dozens), I doubt anyone would expect him to pull down a map in the briefing room and go “Well, Chuck, we’re going to launch airstrikes from here, here, and here.”
But that’s the quote that everyone seized on, and which Earnest went on to defend in an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Thursday night, an interview which Hayes comically prefaced by deriding the critics who seized on it to “blast the President on foreign policy.”
That bit of scolding was so comical because here is what was happening on MSNBC literally seconds after the President finished his press conference…READ MORE
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Tommy Christopher
Tommy Christopher is The Daily Banter's White House Correspondent and Political Analyst. He's been a political reporter and liberal commentator since 2007, and has covered the White House since the beginning of the Obama administration, first for PoliticsDaily, and then for Mediaite. Christopher is a frequent guest on a variety of television, radio, and online programs, and was the villain in the documentaries The Audacity of Democracy and Hating Breitbart. He's also That Guy Who Live-Tweeted His Own Heart Attack, and the only person to have ever received public apologies from both Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
R.J. Carter August 29th, 2014 at 11:53
President Obama didn’t say those words we heard him say.
mfr4 August 29th, 2014 at 13:46
While I agree the tan suit is probably a mistake (although probably expensive, it doesn’t really suit him). do you really think the president of the USA does not understand his options. Perhaps a better term for him would have been to say that there has been no decision on the appropriate response.
mfr4 August 29th, 2014 at 13:52
Anybody else notice that his tie sweeps up to the left indicating a profound tendency towards socialism.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 13:58
oh he said the words you heard him say.. and other words after those words that where ignored by the t baggers. T baggers are great at only hearing what they want
R.J. Carter August 29th, 2014 at 11:53
President Obama didn’t say those words we heard him say.
mfr4 August 29th, 2014 at 13:46
While I agree the tan suit is probably a mistake (although probably expensive, it doesn’t really suit him). do you really think the president of the USA does not understand his options. Perhaps a better term for him would have been to say that there has been no decision on the appropriate response.
mfr4 August 29th, 2014 at 13:52
Anybody else notice that his tie sweeps up to the left indicating a profound tendency towards socialism.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 13:58
oh he said the words you heard him say.. and other words after those words that where ignored by the t baggers. T baggers are great at only hearing what they want
Abby Normal August 29th, 2014 at 12:38
The Daily Mail, which makes Fox News look like Obama Cheerleaders, has this headline today:
‘Barney Fife is in charge’: Obama under fire for ‘we
don’t have a strategy’ gaffe on ISIS as he’s accused of having ‘head
buried in hole on first green’
Abby Normal August 29th, 2014 at 12:38
The Daily Mail, which makes Fox News look like Obama Cheerleaders, has this headline today:
‘Barney Fife is in charge’: Obama under fire for ‘we
don’t have a strategy’ gaffe on ISIS as he’s accused of having ‘head
buried in hole on first green’
Abby Normal August 29th, 2014 at 12:40
P.S. Here’s the editor of the Daily Mail.
Abby Normal August 29th, 2014 at 12:40
P.S. Here’s the editor of the Daily Mail.
pcinsc August 29th, 2014 at 13:22
What we don’t need is another trigger-happy president. Obama was quoted something about “stupid wars” …
“Why Obama’s ‘we don’t have a strategy yet’ on Islamic State is good, for now –
President Obama’s statement that ‘we don’t have a strategy yet’ for
dealing with the Islamic State fired up critics. But if a more
comprehensive military response is needed, Congress needs to be part of
the discussion. ….
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Voices/2014/0828/Why-Obama-s-we-don-t-have-a-strategy-yet-on-Islamic-State-is-good-for-now
pcinsc August 29th, 2014 at 13:22
What we don’t need is another trigger-happy president. Obama was quoted something about “stupid wars” …
“Why Obama’s ‘we don’t have a strategy yet’ on Islamic State is good, for now –
President Obama’s statement that ‘we don’t have a strategy yet’ for
dealing with the Islamic State fired up critics. But if a more
comprehensive military response is needed, Congress needs to be part of
the discussion. ….
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Voices/2014/0828/Why-Obama-s-we-don-t-have-a-strategy-yet-on-Islamic-State-is-good-for-now
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 13:43
By wearing a tan suit, he was signalling that he will not bomb ISIS. No President has ever announced a military campaign while wearing a tan suit.
R.J. Carter August 29th, 2014 at 14:06
You want to be more alert when he wears the purple blazer — and hunker in the cellar should you ever have to endure Condition: Paisley Sweatervest.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:42
no one rocks a sweater vest like Rick Santorum
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:41
the audacity of taupe
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 22:14
IKR?!!?
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 13:43
By wearing a tan suit, he was signalling that he will not bomb ISIS. No President has ever announced a military campaign while wearing a tan suit.
R.J. Carter August 29th, 2014 at 14:06
You want to be more alert when he wears the purple blazer — and hunker in the cellar should you ever have to endure Condition: Paisley Sweatervest.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:42
no one rocks a sweater vest like Rick Santorum
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:41
the audacity of taupe
tiredoftea August 29th, 2014 at 22:14
IKR?!!?
ideagal August 29th, 2014 at 13:54
The President surely has several plans available to him. The military is always making plans for all sorts of things…just in case. It’s what they do at the Pentagon. So, it is likely the President (and his advisors, aka Valerie Jarrett) hasn’t “chosen” a plan yet. If, as Libs claim, the President is working and in touch even when on vacation…why has a decision not been made yet? And, no matter the circumstance or context….that was a stupid thing to say.
ideagal August 29th, 2014 at 13:54
The President surely has several plans available to him. The military is always making plans for all sorts of things…just in case. It’s what they do at the Pentagon. So, it is likely the President (and his advisors, aka Valerie Jarrett) hasn’t “chosen” a plan yet. If, as Libs claim, the President is working and in touch even when on vacation…why has a decision not been made yet? And, no matter the circumstance or context….that was a stupid thing to say.
Airedelapaz August 29th, 2014 at 14:37
But I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet. I think what I’ve seen in some of the news reports suggests that folks are getting a little further ahead of where we’re at than we currently are. And I think that’s not just my assessment, but the assessment of our military, as well. We need to make sure that we’ve got clear plans, that we’re developing them. At that point, I will consult with Congress and make sure that their voices are heard.
But there’s no point in me asking for action on the part of Congress before I know exactly what it is that is going to be required for us to get the job done.
Not sure why Obama even bothered to make the above statement. :-/
John Tarter August 29th, 2014 at 21:15
Now he wants to consult with Congress? Give me a break, Obama has all the authority he needs and much of the Congress already wants strong action taken. But really, Obama has said in the past numerous times: “If Congress won’t act, I will”. What’s he waiting for? This is all just a lame excuse for not doing what needs to be done.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:39
remember that Obama did “what needs to be done” when it comes to immigration reform heh
Airedelapaz August 29th, 2014 at 14:37
But I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet. I think what I’ve seen in some of the news reports suggests that folks are getting a little further ahead of where we’re at than we currently are. And I think that’s not just my assessment, but the assessment of our military, as well. We need to make sure that we’ve got clear plans, that we’re developing them. At that point, I will consult with Congress and make sure that their voices are heard.
But there’s no point in me asking for action on the part of Congress before I know exactly what it is that is going to be required for us to get the job done.
Not sure why Obama even bothered to make the above statement. :-/
John Tarter August 29th, 2014 at 21:15
Now he wants to consult with Congress? Give me a break, Obama has all the authority he needs and much of the Congress already wants strong action taken. But really, Obama has said in the past numerous times: “If Congress won’t act, I will”. What’s he waiting for? This is all just a lame excuse for not doing what needs to be done.
Chinese Democracy August 29th, 2014 at 21:39
remember that Obama did “what needs to be done” when it comes to immigration reform heh
Donstone August 29th, 2014 at 15:03
Fortunately he has a strategy for attending fundraisers and weddings.
Donstone August 29th, 2014 at 15:03
Fortunately he has a strategy for attending fundraisers and weddings.
Mickey August 29th, 2014 at 16:07
why does his staff have to interpret what obama MEANT ????
Mickey August 29th, 2014 at 16:07
why does his staff have to interpret what obama MEANT ????
Red Eye Robot August 29th, 2014 at 16:18
Deranged Obama critic from the washington post David Ignatius, On MSNBC’s morning Joe “I think the president is genuinely confused about how best to respond to this really monstrous outbreak by ISIS in Iraq and Syria,” Ignatius explained.
“Genuinely confused?” Scarborough asked. “Have you ever heard a president state that confusion in a press conference?”
Red Eye Robot August 29th, 2014 at 16:18
Deranged Obama critic from the washington post David Ignatius, On MSNBC’s morning Joe “I think the president is genuinely confused about how best to respond to this really monstrous outbreak by ISIS in Iraq and Syria,” Ignatius explained.
“Genuinely confused?” Scarborough asked. “Have you ever heard a president state that confusion in a press conference?”