Boehner Says He Supports Obama On Syria [VIDEO]

House Speaker John Boehner says he will support President Barack Obama's call for the U.S. to take action against Syria for alleged chemical weapons use and says his Republican colleagues should support the president, too.

The Ohio Republican says the use of chemical weapons must be responded to. He says only the United States has the capability and the capacity to stop Syrian President Bashar Assad and warn others around the world that such actions will not be tolerated.

Said Boehner: "This is something that the United States as a country needs to do."

He spoke at the White House Tuesday after he and other congressional leaders met with Obama.

President Barack Obama says he's confident he'll be able to work with Congress to pass a resolution authorizing military intervention in Syria.

Obama: 'I'm Confident' Of Getting Syria Resolution 

The president indicated to reporters during a meeting with lawmakers at the White House Tuesday that he's open to changes to his request for congressional authorization for strikes. He said he's serious about consulting with Congress, as long as the resolution sends a clear message to Syrian President Bashar Assad and hampers his ability to use chemical weapons.

Obama said he wants the American people to know, quote, "This is not Iraq, and this is not Afghanistan." He said action in Syria will be limited and proportional.

The meeting in the White House Cabinet room was attended by congressional leaders from both parties in the House and Senate.

McCain attaches strings to support of Obama's plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain says he will support President Barack Obama's request to intervene in Syria if the move would "reverse the situation on the battlefield."

McCain tells NBC's "Today" show it isn't sufficient to merely send a strong message to President Bashar Assad with a limited-range response. McCain says a resolution of intervention must include authority to degrade Syria's air defenses. The Arizona Republican says "it's an unfair fight" on the ground and that Assad has the upper hand.

McCain says if the authorization doesn't change the balance of power and give the rebels a fighting chance, then it "will not have the desired effect."

He says he supports giving Obama authority to act against Assad but that he "cannot support something that might be doomed in the long run."

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