TheDC Morning

TheDC Morning: The Seinfeld Doctrine

Jamie Weinstein Senior Writer
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1.) The Seinfeld Doctrine — Someone has finally pinpointed President Obama’s Syria strategy. The Daily Caller News Foundation’s Brendan Bordelon reports:

“The U.S. strategy for regime change in Syria amounts to ‘We will topple Assad, yadda yadda yadda, there will be democracy in Syria,’ a former special adviser to the Obama State Department said Thursday. ‘They yadda yadda yadda’d the most important part, which is how to bring stability to Syria,’ Jeremy Shapiro, who returned to the liberal Brookings Institute after a stint on State’s policy planning staff, said at a panel of Washington specialists hosted by Brookings. All five panelists expressed uncertainty over the general strategy being pursued by the Obama administration. Most believed no real plan exists.”

Don’t believe the hype. President Obama has an excellent plan for Syria — really, really he does! — but if you just happen to have an idea for what to do with the country, the White House has asked that you please email HolyShitWeAreInOverOurHeads@whitehouse.gov.

2.) Not Organizing for Action — President Obama’s old campaign team is working hard on the president’s top priorities, which means they aren’t doing anything on Syria. TheDC’s Neil Munro reports:

“Two spokesmen for the Republican speaker of the House sent out messages Thursday suggesting that President Barack Obama isn’t trying hard to win congressional authorization for a military strike in Syria. Obama’s Organizing for Action grassroots group ‘is not exactly ‘Flooding the Zone’ on Syria,’ said a morning message from Michael Steel, a flack for House Speaker John Boehner. … Steel’s first email cited a story from Politico, a Virginia-based news site, which noted OFA’s absence from the congressional debate over Obama’s request for authorization.”

3.) Friends in no places — Vote tallies suggest President Obama’s Syria resolution may fail in the House. TheDC’s Matt Lewis explains why that might happen:

“Some people seem surprised the votes just don’t seem to be there for Syrian intervention. I’m not. Call it the Vietnam syndrome redux, but after a decade of war, Americans are understandably war weary. Thus, the only way to overcome this difficult obstacle would be to have a). an ironclad case for war, and b). a president who uses personal relationships to twist arms. In this regard, he’s 0-for-2. There are way too many holes to ignore; the objective is obviously unclear. But even putting that huge problem aside, there is little reason for Congressmen to carry this water for Obama — not when he’s asking them to carry it off a cliff.”

Again, TheDC Morning is told that President Obama has a really fantastic plan for Syria — truly top notch — but the White House would really think it swell if you emailed any alternative ideas you might have about Syria to HolyShitWeAreInOverOurHeads@whitehouse.gov.

4.) Betting on Baldwin — Watch out, America. The network that gives you such political minds as Chris Hayes and Ed Schultz is adding a new clean-up hitter to its Friday night line-up: Alec Baldwin. You know, the guy that called his 11-year-old daughter “a rude, thoughtless little pig.” TheDC’s Jeff Poor reports:

“MSNBC chief Phil Griffin announced Thursday that liberal actor Alec Baldwin’s new show will begin airing at Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET in October. ‘I’ve been talking with Alec for a while and can’t wait to bring his personality and eclectic interests to MSNBC,’ Griffin said in a release. ‘He’s got such passion for ideas and what’s going on in the world — he’s going to be a great addition to our line-up.’ MSNBC has aired its documentary-esque weekend program ‘Lockup’ for the last several months in that time slot. On Monday through Thursday, Lawrence O’Donnell’s ‘The Last Word’ airs at 10 p.m.”

Was Gary Busey not available?

5.) Tweet of Yesterday  Ann Coulter: After he plots 9/11 attack on US. RT @benzo1666 @AnnCoulter ask your buddy Hannity when he will keep his promise to be water boarded?

6.) Today in North Korean News — BREAKING: “Kim Jong Un’s Work Supported by Political Party of Kyrgyzstan”

VIDEO: Fireworks erupt between Ron Paul, MSNBC host Alex Wagner

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Jamie Weinstein