Barack Obama actually said...

"President-elect Obama has made it clear that we need a comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism that balances and integrates military force, diplomacy, intelligence, law enforcement, financial action..."

"He has warned that competition over resources could lead to conflict and population movements."

"The President-elect and I believe strongly that direct U.S. engagement with Syria will advance United States interests."

"The United States and Syria have profound differences on important issues, and the President-elect and I believe that engaging directly with Syria increases the possibility of making progress on chang..."