Robert Menendez actually said...

"It is up to the Syrian people to choose their own leaders, not foreigners. Our role is to support them."

"The Syrian Government is, therefore, a major source of instability in the region, and American interests, and those of the Syrian people, will be better served when Assad steps aside."

"The next major test for democracy in Turkey is whether and how to proceed with reform of their constitution."

"I am concerned that dialogue, while desirable, will not lead to the conclusions that we want."