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Obama briefs Boehner on Syria; justification challenged

August 29, 2013 2:06PM

Republican John Boehner Ohio wrote president Wednesday seeking answers as drumbewar grew louder. | AP Photo

Republican John Boehner of Ohio wrote the president on Wednesday in seeking answers as the drumbeat of war grew louder. | AP Photo

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Updated: August 29, 2013 2:51PM



WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has briefed House Speaker John Boehner on Syria in a conversation in which the Republican leader pressed the president to make the case to the nation and Congress for military action.

A spokesman for Boehner, Brendan Buck, said in a brief statement on Thursday that the speaker questioned the president about issues he raised in a letter on Wednesday.

Among Boehner’s concerns are the legal justification for any military strike, the overall policy and precedent and the objective.

Buck said only Obama can answer those questions, and it was clear that additional conversations, consultation with Congress and communication with the nation were necessary.




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