Speaker John Boehner took the opposite track from President Obama, saying on national television that the United States may very well have to send U.S. ground troops to root out the remainder of Islamic State terrorists.
Mr. Obama, also on national television over the weekend, emphasized that he has no plans to send in grounds troops, but rather stick with the airstrikes.
Mr. Boehner, right around the same time frame, said: “At the end of the day, I think it’s going to take more than airstrikes to drive them out of there. At some point, somebody’s boots have to be on the ground,” Politico reported.
He was then asked on “This Week” on ABC if those troops should be from America if no other country stepped up to the plate.
“We have no choice,” he said, Politico reported. “These are barbarians. They intend to kill us. And if we don’t destroy them first, we’re going to pay the price.”
Mr. Boehner also took a quick shot at Mr. Obama, saying the president made a misstep by telecasting his war strategy and publicly ruling out ground troops.
SEE ALSO: America says no to U.S. ground troops to fight Islamic State: poll
“If I were the president, I probably wouldn’t have talked about what I wouldn’t do,” he said, Politico reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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