Grassley encourages Obama to ‘be strong’ in response to Islamic State

CEDAR RAPIDS - Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley believes President Barack Obama has the authority to take military action to protect Americans from the threat of the Islamic State.

'This is not the time to be cautious,” Grassley said Wednesday morning, adding that he has encouraged the president to take a tougher tone than his previous 'no strategy” comments. 'He needs to take a much tougher position.”

Obama is scheduled to address the nation at 8 p.m. Wednesday to lay out his plans for combating the Islamic State, the terrorist organization attracting attention for its advances in the Middle East and beheadings of Western journalists.

Grassley's advice to Obama: 'Be very strong.”

'You want your friends around the world to know you have principles and that you will be decisive,” he said. 'The indecisiveness has led our friends to think we're not dependable and emboldened our enemies.”

Obama needs to present a comprehensive strategy, 'not just rhetoric” to make clear to Americans that the government can and will protect them from terrorists 'and is willing to move ahead with a purpose of mission.”

He believes Obama has authority to act without congressional action 'depending on what he asks us to do.”

Grassley said the War Powers Act o 1973 gives the president authority to act if an attack is imminent.

Perhaps more important than congressional approval, Obama needs support of the American people, Grassley said.

'That has got to be major goal of his speech,” he said.

Grassley supports the continued use of airstrikes against IS and support for the Kurds and Iraqis. He doubts the U.S. military is ready at the moment to take a front-line role on the ground.

'It will take a long time to get jacked up to do that,” he said. 'Whatever we have to do with American personnel has to be supportive of Iraqis and Kurds except for whatever it takes to protect American personnel.”

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