Politics

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Rep. Adam Kinzinger (foreground), Illinois Republican, displays a photo of Syrian children while questioning Secretary of State John F. Kerry at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on President Obama's request for congressional authorization for military intervention in Syria, a response to last month's alleged sarin gas attack in the Syrian civil war, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Rep. Edward R. Royce, California Republican, who is the panel's chairman, listens at top. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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There goes Obama's flank: Parliament denied British Prime Minister David Cameron's request to intervene in Syria — the first time since the 1700s Parliament denied a prime minister's request to use force. (Credit: AP)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a thorn in Obama's side throughout the unrest. He's said it's the rebels, not Assad, who has used chemical weapons. He's dispatched Russian warships to stalk American destroyers in the Mediterranean and threatened to side with Assad in the event of an American strike. (credit:AP)

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CBS and PBS correspondent Charlie Rose scored an interview with Syrian President Bashar al Assad. In it, Assad denied using weapons and accused President Obama of following in the foot steps of GEorge W. Bush. The interview airs in full on Monday — a day ahead of Obama's address to the nation. (screen shot from CBS)

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In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian military solider fires a heavy machine gun during clashes with rebels in Maaloula village, northeast of the capital Damascus, Syria. Rebels including al Qaeda-linked fighters gained control of Maaloula, Syrian activists said Sunday. (AP Photo/SANA)

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Colorado state Sen. Angela Giron, a Democrat, is the focus of a recall vote Tuesday in Pueblo. Another recall is set for Colorado Springs. (Associated Press)

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Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano promised a complete investigation into Secret Service agents' use of prostitutes. Some of her close allies are suspected of pressuring the inspector general to report favorable findings. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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The advisory opinion issued by Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II says that private and religious schools can receive public funds to pay for uniformed, armed and sworn officers and deputies to provide security. (Associated Press)

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“The question for me is can we fashion a very targeted, very limited resolution allowing strikes on a very limited basis, and for only two purposes: one is to retaliate and to punish for the heinous crime that occurred on Aug. 21, and to deter any future use by Assad.” — Rep. Gerald Connolly, Virginia Democrat. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)

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“They pinned their entire cause for action on Assad’s chemical strikes. While I’m as troubled and terrified by the use of chemical weapons, it’s problematic to allow chemical weapons use to go unanswered. But that’s not the sole rationale, and it’s the one the president is presenting.” — Rep. Mike Pompeo, Kansas Republican. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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“With each classified briefing that I’ve gotten, I have become less inclined rather than more inclined to think that we should have any involvement in that civil war, and [last] week was no exception.” — Sen. Michael Lee, Utah Republican. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)