The trajectory of the White House efforts to seek authorization for military force in Syria was radically altered by a flurry of diplomatic activity on Monday and Tuesday.
Obama’s speech, originally designed to be a cudgel for action, was suddenly a plea for time.
Obama did not detail the steps that the United States would demand from Syria as proof that the diplomatic efforts were more than a delaying tactic to avoid a punishing strike from cruise missiles and American bombers.
And the president did not use his speech to describe his expectations for the role of the United Nations.
Lawmakers in both parties were happy to set aside the Syrian crisis, mindful that a rejection of the use of force would deliver a blow to the prestige of the president.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/world/obama-syria.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
