McCain Calls Leaks on Possible Syria Strike 'Crazy'

The leaks from the White House about the specifics of an attack against Syria are "crazy" and point to the problems with President Barack Obama's policy in the Middle East, Sen. John McCain said Wednesday.

"This is crazy. These leaks are just crazy," the Arizona Republican said on "Fox & Friends."

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"When strikes are going to take place, what's going to be used — If I were [Syrian President] Bashar Assad, I think I would declare tomorrow a snow day and keep everybody from work."

Administration officials announced Tuesday that missile attacks could begin Thursday in retaliation for alleged chemical attacks last week by the Syrian government on its citizens.
McCain said the president should identify exactly what the U.S. policy is on Syria, and what Americans and people in the region should expect an attack on the country to achieve.

"This is a regional conflict that's getting worse. What is the president's policy?" McCain said.

"This is the same president that two years ago said that Bashar al-Assad must leave office. And so, where is America's credibility? Where is our ability to influence events in the region?"

McCain indicated Obama should try to include Congress more in his deliberations before injecting military might into Syrian conflict.

"I do think the president needs to have more consultation, which so far has not been there. But they're murky about that," he said.

The president also needs to address the American people about his intentions, McCain said.

McCain, a former Navy pilot who was shot down in Vietnam and held prisoner for years, made some of the same points during a Wednesday morning appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

In that interview, he urged the president to consult with the American people about his intentions regarding Syria.

"It's horrific what has happened," he said, referring to Assad's reported use of chemical weapons. "And the president has yet to really talk directly to the American people about this situation."

McCain added that he believes the president "could get support" from the American people "for supporting these [Syrian] rebels" with a U.S. attack if he would simply explain the details of his policy.