If there was any good reason for the president to address the nation during prime time tonight, it was to convince the public that some sort of military action in Syria was necessary. The enlightened public would then pressure their representatives to approve a resolution; however, that vote, originally scheduled for Wednesday, has been put on indefinite hold while Vladimir Putin takes the lead. So…
This speech should have been cancelled. If you don't have a clear action to announce or a clear proposal to put forward, wait. Just wait.
— Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) September 11, 2013
https://twitter.com/michaelrstrain/status/377601563684249601
Honestly, Obama should've just cancelled this "speech to the people." I don't think it did him a damn bit of good. #Syria
— Eye on Politics (@EyeOnPolitics) September 11, 2013
What the hell was the point of that?
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) September 11, 2013
A speech to a public that doesn't want to go to war by a president who doesn't want to go to war.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 11, 2013
Why couldn't O have just cancelled speech? Not like American people would have said, "Damn, I was so looking forward" http://t.co/psH6NZdRDG
— Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) September 10, 2013
No idea why this speech wasn't cancelled. Whole Obama handling of Syria has been "unbelievably small" and inept
— Sean Collins (@americansitu) September 11, 2013
Well, the president did describe the horror of chemical weapons attacks on children, for those who were on the fence about that.
Now that we're totes focused on the dead kids of Syria…weather is looking good for a couple rounds of golf, amirite?
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) September 11, 2013
Most presidents would've simply cancelled their speech rather than waste 15 minutes of air time, making us aware of the obvious.
— JimmyWood (@Jmywood) September 11, 2013
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This was a speech that the President should have cancelled. What was the point?
— Wiley Long (@WileyLong) September 11, 2013
Still not quite sure what the point of this Obama speech is. Nothing new in it at all. Trying to have it both ways as usual.
— Iain Dale (@IainDale) September 11, 2013
This is the kind of speech you give when circumstances have changed so much that there's no point to a speech but you have to do it anyway.
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) September 11, 2013
https://twitter.com/CrowleyTIME/status/377603229263351808
I think Obama actually weakened his position by giving this speech. Not his finest moment.
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) September 11, 2013
Great point by @brithume : "This was a speech in search of a purpose. What does Obama want us to do?" #Syria
— ConservativeNotCrazy (@IAMMGraham) September 11, 2013
Sorry, Barry, you didn't make the sale with me. Real Time comes back Friday night, I still like my argument better. But nice suit.
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) September 11, 2013