John Kerry actually said...

"The decision rests with us. It is not political. It is a policy decision that must be based, I believe, on what we believe is in the national security interests of the United States."

"It is our responsibility to evaluate the facts, assess the intelligence we have, and then debate the wisdom and scope of a military response fully and publicly, understanding its geopolitical ramifica..."

"The question is, will we send a message that the United States will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons anywhere in the world, by anyone, for any reason?"

"Forcing Assad to change his calculation about his ability to act with impunity can contribute to his realization that he cannot gas or shoot his way out of his predicament."