Corker Votes To Arm Syrian Rebels Despite Calling Administration’s Plan ‘Unserious’

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker is the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee. Credit: Office of Sen. Bob Corker via Facebook

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker ultimately supported the Obama Administration’s short-term plan to arm Syrian rebels, even after berating Secretary of State John Kerry during a committee hearing this week. Corker continues to say the White House approach to defeating militants known as ISIS is – in his words – “sophomoric” and “vague.” But he also notes he’s been calling to arm Syrian rebels for more than a year.

“This whole process is about as messed up as one could possibly imagine,” Corker told WPLN. “And it’s unfortunate because no matter what you do, you’re sending a lot of mixed signals.”

Earlier this week, Corker called the Obama Administration’s planning “unserious.” During a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Corker – who is the ranking Republican – made a comparison to a dog and its owner, accusing Secretary Kerry of hiding the ball while Congress chases its tail.

“To say that you’re going to do this regardless of what we say — you’re not going to ask for buy-in by the United States Senate or House of Representatives on behalf of the American people in a conflict that you say will be multi-year, some people say a decade. Taking us into another country with a different enemy is exercising the worst judgment possible.”

Corker says the administration would be exercising “extremely poor judgment” if it doesn’t return to Congress for approval of a broader campaign against ISIS.

Tennessee’s senior senator – Lamar Alexander – also voted Thursday to arm Syrian rebels.