Not good. At a hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill regarding the authorization of military action in Syria, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey couldn’t answer a basic yet profound question.
The exchange took place between General Dempsey and Sen. Bob Corker (R – Tenn.).
Dempsey: “The answer to whether I support additional support for the moderate opposition is yes.”
Corker: “And this authorization will support those activities in addition to responding to the weapons of mass destruction.”
Dempsey: “I don’t know how the resolution will evolve, but I support –“
Corker: “What you’re seeking. What is it you’re seeking?”
Dempsey: “I can’t answer that, what we’re seeking.”
Did you hear that? General Dempsey, the man who takes orders directly from the Commander-in-Chief, doesn’t even know what the administration is seeking!
In other words, there is no goal other than to attack Syria. What a plan! Or rather – what plan?
Remember how the Left laughed at, cajoled and ridiculed George W. Bush for not having an exit strategy? He at least knew what he wanted to do once he got there!
And Bush was hopelessly stupid. Or so we were told. On the other hand, Barack Obama (the smartest president since Jefferson) can’t even answer a simple question like: “What is our objective?”
Above all, it seems clear that the president’s paramount objective is an attempt to save face.
According to his thought process, this is best accomplished in a three step process.
First: feebly, yet rhythmically, beat your chest like Tarzan.
Second: give the order to fire a few hundred million dollars worth of ordnance toward an empty desert.
Third: cagily slink away and follow your French allies in retreat.
But Obama can’t even lead that. It’s too much for him. Way above his pay grade. That’s why he smartly brought aboard the experts when it comes to maneuvers of withdrawal.
To be fair, the French are the only ones so far who’ll join. Adrift upon the oceans of international affairs, we now learn that the community organizer can’t organize a coalition to have dinner at the U.N.
The sad fact of this entire mess (caused by a malfunctioning teleprompter incapable of “read-lines”) is that Obama’s exit strategy is the same as his entrance strategy. Simply dip one toe in the water.
But what happens when, while standing next to the edge, someone reaches up and pulls him down into the cesspool of the Middle East?
Above all else, that is what should concern each and every one of us.
