First British Loss since 18th Century

British Prime Minister David Cameron

Here, Thomas Sowell tells readers that British Prime Minister David Cameron lost the vote in Parliament seeking to support president Obama in Syria. It was the first such loss since the 18^th century. What do the Brits understand that Barack Obama does not?

Today, President Obama needs Republican votes in Congress to get a majority that will put Congress on record as backing his planned military actions against Syria. And he is by no means certain to get a majority of the Democrats’ votes.

Obama also wants international political cover for his planned military action against Syria. But our old ally, Britain, failed to give us even political backing, much less troops. British prime minister David Cameron lost the vote on that issue in Parliament — the first time a British prime minister has lost such a vote in Parliament since the 18th century.

Some other nations have given us verbal support — and only verbal support. When it comes to actual military action, some of the Europeans will fight to the last American.

Finally, Barack Obama will try to drum up support from the American people whom he has lied to and deceived, time and time again. On Tuesday night, was he able to rekindle the old magic again with his rhetoric? Or have those chickens come home to roost as well?