Majority Opposes Syria Strike; GOP Should Vote 'Present'

From the Washington Post: "Americans widely oppose launching missile strikes against the Syrian government for its alleged use of chemical weapons, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll that finds little appetite for military action across the country despite a growing drumbeat in Washington. Nearly six in 10 oppose missile strikes ... Democrats and Republicans alike oppose strikes by double digit margins, and there is deep opposition among every political and demographic group in the survey. Political independents are among the most clearly opposed, with 66 percent saying they are against military action."  [See poll results here; chart below]

What are Republicans in Congress to do? Paul Rahe suggests the GOP should "respond in kind."

In the Senate, after expressing openly and publicly their conviction that sending 'a shot across the bow' will accomplish nothing, the Republicans should all vote present. In this circumstance, if Harry Reid can get a majority of his caucus to vote to authorize action, the motion will pass. If he cannot do so, it will be clear that the President does not even have the support of his own party. In the House, John Boehner should bring the pertinent motion to the floor, and the members of the Republican caucus should vote present, similarly leaving passage to the Democrats.

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WP/ABC Poll: United States launching missile strikes against the Syrian government       

 Dark blue = Support     Light blue = Oppose

20

40

60

All

Democrats

Republicans

Independents

Created with Datawrapper            Source: Washington Post-ABC News poll

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