White House 'tight-lipped' on Syria; Will President Obama frown upon gas attack?

Brett T. | 6:43 PM on August 22, 2013

If only @chucktodd knew someone who could ask POTUS questions and get this cleared up. https://t.co/JoLIXEWClC

— cosmoscon (@gdthomp01) August 22, 2013

While Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest was preparing a statement expressing the White House’s “deep concern” over reports of a gas attack in Syria that killed as many as 1,300, the president was making a stop on his bus tour to do this:

Pres Obama pokes his head through a hole where visitors pose as the President at the Women's Rights Park pic.twitter.com/dhQCG5XQqf

— petesouza (archived) (@PeteSouza44) August 22, 2013

NBC’s Chuck Todd noted that aside from that statement of concern, the White House has been tight-lipped on its options, although CNN’s Jim Acosta is reporting that the Defense Department is refining its options should President Obama request action somewhere down the line. For now, though, the administration has ruled out ground troops and a no-fly zone.

@chucktodd In other words, they've ruled out doing anything.

— Tim Keaney (@timkeaney) August 22, 2013

@chucktodd Have they ruled out another puppy?

— jon gabriel (@exjon) August 22, 2013

@cbendik79 @chucktodd Did they rule out trial balloons?

— The Streeter (@thestreeter) August 22, 2013

@chucktodd: White House's actual Syria strategy is merely to kick around through the media a range of options that they don't intend to do.

— Dave Falvey (@Falvitus) August 22, 2013

https://twitter.com/WStraw_ESLaw/status/370674017742888960