2014 MN Senate debate: on War & Peace

Al Franken: Supported airstrikes in Syria to fight ISIS

Franken countered that he pressed the FBI and US Justice Department to focus more resources to crack down on terrorist recruitment. Franken said McFadden last year ducked a question on what action to take after Syrian President Bashar Assad was believed to have used chemical weapons on his own people. "He refused to answer because it was a tough call," Franken said. "It is easy to score political points from the bleachers. This is a serious job. You've got to make real choices in real time."

Mike McFadden: Lack of anti-ISIS strategy makes world more dangerous

"It's disappointing that President Obama says 'we don't have a strategy' to deal with ISIS even though the situation in Iraq remains unstable and our military is continuing with air strikes," said McFadden. "Between Ukraine, Syria and Iraq, we are seeing first hand the consequences of not having a coherent foreign policy agenda. It began in Benghazi and continues to this day with the rise of ISIS. Senator Franken has supported President Obama's foreign policy blunders every step of the way. He's kept his head down and supported a President who is making the world a more dangerous place. It's time for a change."

President Obama on ISIS: "'I don't want to put the cart before the horse,' Obama told reporters during a White House news briefing. 'We don't have a strategy yet.'" (CNN, Aug. 29, 2014)