‘Mounting Anxiety’

‘The Signs Of A President In Denial Over The Threat Of Terrorism Keep Piling Up’

“The disconnect between President Obama and the American public on the urgency of the ISIS threat is a problem… The signs of a president in denial over the threat of terrorism keep piling up.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“…instead of acting as a commander in chief, Obama has become a polarizer in chief.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“During a month when a horrific terrorist attack killed 130 in Paris and a homegrown, ISIS-inspired attack killed 14 in San Bernardino, California, the Democratic Party’s major focus has been on climate change and gun control.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“Democrats are at risk of politically marginalizing themselves on national security ...catering to a base that seems disconnected from the growing anxiety that the public feels over the threat from Islamic terrorism.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“When the president’s assurances are being contradicted by events around him, even his own party’s rank-and-file become restive.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“Senate Democrats, who have long suffered the image of being weak on national security, are scrambling this week to push their own set of antiterrorism measures...” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“The mounting anxiety among Democrats about the president’s strategy to defeat the Islamic State became clear in the wake of the attacks in Paris, when a number of Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans in questioning allowing Syrian refugees into the United States.” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“To some degree, Democrats say, the frustration with Mr. Obama is a continuation of the fruitless search for the prize fighter trapped in the body of the law professor, a persona that has dogged him for the better part of his presidency.” (“Obama’s Plans To Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“[S]enior [Obama administration] aides met behind closed doors with congressional Democrats in an attempt to ease their concerns, which fell flat.” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“Many of President Obama’s Democratic allies in Congress say they do not believe he is being aggressive enough in confronting the terrorist threat of the Islamic State after last week’s attacks in California, undermining Americans’ sense of safety...” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“Democratic voters, mostly supportive of the president, are expressing real concerns about the administration’s handling of terrorism. A 43-percent plurality of Democratic voters believe the U.S. and its allies are ‘losing’ the war against ISIS, according to a Quinnipiac poll conducted just before the San Bernardino attack. A whopping 75 percent of Democrats said it’s likely there will be another major terrorist attack on American soil, and 23 percent disapprove of President Obama’s handling of terrorism.” (“Democrats’ Biggest Vulnerability In 2016: National Security,” National Journal, 12/7/2015)

“Mr. Obama was looking increasingly detached from reality, and the speech was an attempt to recover from his claims that the growing jihadist threat is ‘contained.’” (Editorial, “The President Plays Defense,” The Wall Street Journal, 12/7/15)

“Mr. Obama’s address to the nation Sunday — which several congressional Democrats said was an idea they pushed — left them wanting more.” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

Top House Intelligence Committee Democrat: “When you interrupt the nation with an urgent and unscheduled statement from the Oval Office, or the White House, there’s I think an expectation that the address will contain a new approach or a new element.” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

“[Mr. Schiff] urged Mr. Obama to reconsider his staunch opposition to using American air power to create a ‘buffer zone’ inside Syria. ‘I’m concerned with the pace of our progress,’ he said.” (“Obama’s Plans to Stop ISIS Leave Many Democrats Wanting More,” The New York Times, 12/8/2015)

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

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