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WASHINGTON (AP) - A top national security aide to President Barack Obama says he "didn't speak very artfully" when he suggested Obama wouldn't order a strike in Syria without approval from Congress.
Tony Blinken, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said in an interview last week that while Obama has the authority to act by himself, it was "neither his desire nor his intention" to do so if Congress votes no. Obama and other aides have refused to speculate about what Obama would do if Congress votes no.
Blinken wouldn't say Monday whether he still stands by that comment. He said Obama's intent is to secure congressional support.
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