White House Quickly Clarifies Obama’s ‘We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet’ Comments
Aside from the tan suit (which no one on Twitter would shut up about), the biggest moment of President Obama‘s presser today was his “we don’t have a strategy yet” comment on ISIS. Well, the White House was quick to clarify exactly what the president meant by that.
A senior White House official told CNN’s Jim Acosta that the comment was only made with regard to airstrikes:
On "we don't have a strategy remark" from POTUS, sr WH official said POTUS talking about air strikes in Syria. Not an overall strategy.
— Jim Acosta (@JimAcostaCNN) August 28, 2014
And White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest tweeted out a clarification that Obama emphasized a “comprehensive strategy” during his remarks, highlighting other remarks the president made about an Iraq strategy:
In his remarks today, POTUS was explicit – as he has been in the past – about the comprehensive strategy we'll use to confront ISIL threat.
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today: "our military action in Iraq has to be part of a broader, comprehensive strategy to protect our people…" 1/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont): "…and to support our partners who are taking the fight to ISIL. And that starts with Iraq’s leaders… " 2/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont):"…building on the progress that they’ve made so far & forming an inclusive govt that will unite their country…" 3/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): "Any successful strategy, though, also needs strong regional partners." 4/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): "I’ll be meeting with my National Security Council again this evening as we continue to develop that strategy." 5/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
And you can watch the relevant part of Obama’s comments here, via Fox News:
[image via screengrab]
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