McCaul: Obama delayed on Islamic State as he pondered legacy

Published September 14, 2014 5:07pm ET



The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee said he believes President Obama has taken on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria belatedly because the president who ran for office on ending wars in the Middle East is worried about his legacy.

“The bottom line is, ISIS does not fit in the president’s narrative. His narrative is ‘I am the president to end these wars,’ and so now, when he looks at his legacy, he can’t get his head wrapped around the idea of what ISIS is and how to defeat it and what an imminent, urgent threat it really is,” Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.