CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Barack Obama spent Tuesday briefing leaders of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on his Administration’s plans to “degrade and destroy” ISIS — the terrorist group U.S. airstrikes have targeted in northern Iraq during the past month.
On Wednesday night, President Obama will detail what is expected to be a long-term offensive expansion of U.S. operations aimed at ISIS during a national address. That expansion, among other things, could include airstrikes in Syria supported by a coalition of other nations.
“I am not for boots on the ground,” said Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate. “But I know that the airstrikes have been successful. I am behind the airstrikes and the strong action to dismantle ISIS.”
Tennant was asked about ISIS on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline” as part of a series of interviews with the statewide candidates leading up to the Nov. 4 general election.
“We, as Americans, need to show leadership and this is not a time for politics. The President needs to show a clear direction, a clear plan and clear leadership. Congress needs to show clear leadership as well and not be blaming each other,” Tennant said.
“This is a time for Americans to come together.”
Reports from Capitol Hill on Tuesday indicated President Obama was talking to Congressional leaders about possibly authorizing a $5 billion counterterrorism fund that could, in part, be used to support operations against ISIS.
Such a fund was first proposed earlier this year.
Congress could also be asked to separately authorize funding to train and arm pro-Western rebels in the Middle East.
“I’d rather spend this money in other places, most certainly on our veterans who have already served,” Tennant said. “At the same time, if this is what it takes to fight the terrorists and keep America safe without putting our boots on the ground, then I support it.”
President Obama’s nationally televised address on Wednesday will come one day before the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pa.