MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Islamic State

Interview

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SCHULTZ: We start our discussion tonight here on the Ed Show with Congressman John Garamendi of California who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman, good to have you with us tonight. I want to know, of the top, your perspective. If this video is real and if there was an execution, what does this change for the United States and the strategy at this point and the discussion?

REP. JOHN GARAMENDI, (D) CALIFORNIA: I think it changes nothing except our determination to get these people, and to put this thing to rest. We have a strategy in place. It`s already being played out certainly in Iraq. We bombing ISIL, we are going about the business of putting together the coalition such as Senator Feinstein just discussed.

Kerry will be in the Middle East. The NATO meeting is underway. Tomorrow, the President is going to be in Estonia, probably more to do with the Ukrainian situation. But there is definitely a strategy that is in place to bring into the community -- in the area, the community of nations in that area.

And also, continue striking ISIL. Now remember that just in the last 24 hours, the United States Government, using our extraordinary resources went after the leader of al-Shabaab in Somalia. And probably took him out using hellfire missiles and other assets. And for those folks that are the leadership of ISIL or ISIS. Mr. al-Baghdadi had better be watching carefully over his shoulder, because of maybe an incoming hellfire missile.

We need to know exactly where he is and where he maybe, whether Syria or Iraq. I think he`s in serious jeopardy and he should be.

SCHULTZ: Congressman, do you think these air strikes should intensify? Are they at a level that need to be increased at this point?

GARAMENDI: Well, it`s about being measured and deliberate. You got to know what you need to accomplish, what is your goal? We`ve been very successful thus far in stopping the advance of ISIL. We`ve got the Mosul Dam back, Erbil is no longer jeopardized. We`ve just -- with the air strikes and with the Iraqi and Kurdish forces have neutralized and broke into siege on yet one more city in northern Iraq.

Those things are coming together, there`s time now for the Iraqi military to reform, get back on its feet. Let`s remember that when ISIS invaded Iraq, three Iraqi divisions simply melted away. So now that needs to put back together. Again, a lot of problems, political problems in Iraq have been stabilized, Maliki is gone, a new prime minister in place, new government being formed, and quite possibly and hopefully, a reconciliation between the two factions, the Sunni and Shias in Iraq. These are extremely important...

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

GARAMENDI: ... important steps. And all of that is taking place, and when they say there`s no strategy, in fact there is a strategy and it is being put together. Now exactly what we do in Syria is yet to be determined, but I`m willing to bet that there`s a hellfire missile headed to Mr. al- Baghdadi`s bedroom.

SCHULTZ: Well Congressman, considering the fact that this appears to be standard operating procedure. Is the answer to ISIS just not going to fit the 24-hour news cycle? That this is far more detailed than what Americans -- what American patience might call for at this point?

And I ask that with the backdrop of what happened in Iraq in 2003, the mistakes that were made there. It almost brought this country to the point of a different kind of resolve, a certain amount of patience, and if this is just something that were going to have to live with. I`m not trying to put words in your mouth but it just seems to me that all the answers that I`m getting from people who are weighting in on this, fighting ISIS and containing them and eliminating them doesn`t fit the push button mentality response that the American people are expecting, your thoughts on that?

GARAMENDI: Well I think you`re on the right track. We got to be measured. We got to know, what is the actual situation? We saw what happened in Iraq 2003 when we simply had either bad intelligence or whatever else you want to say about that particular period. So you wanted to be very cautious, but not restrained from taking the appropriate action when you have a clear plan in mind.

And there`s clarity in what the President and the administration is doing. Pulling together the...

SCHULTZ: OK.

GARAMENDI: ... other countries. All of those things are now taking place. And the assets are clear -- the military assets are clearly in place with the ongoing bombing holding back ISIL.

SCHULTZ: Do you think Congressman that if there was a wave of attacks, air strikes on Syrian soil that there would be a big push back for members of Congress if the President were to get that aggressive?

GARAMENDI: Probably not, it depends on exactly what the purpose of those air strikes are, if you`re going after the leadership, probably not. But let`s keep in mind that the War Powers Act is operating today. The President has sent the appropriate message to Congress, and by October the 6th, Congress must respond, either to stop all action or to clarify what action should be taken, limited or not limited.

Those are very, very serious questions that Congress has to take up within
the next month -- in a week, and we will. We need to have clear information from the administration, from the Pentagon...

SCHULTZ: OK.

GARAMENDI: ... State Department, and then get about writing the appropriate resolution, either limited or unlimited or whatever is appropriate as we determine in our hearings.

SCHULTZ: So, if a news were to come out within the next 24 hours that American warships have delivered air strikes in Syria, do you think that that would be acceptable -- under the War Power`s Act and the ability and the executive authority that the President, the commander-in-chief has right now that that would in the framework of going after ISIS?

GARAMENDI: I think that your last few words are the key ones here. The framework of going after ISIS, I think that the President does have that. Given the fact that two Americans have been killed and other threatened, and he does have the authority to protect Americans and American interest. And so I think the answer is yes. But again, exactly what is the air strike? Limited, targeted...

SCHULTZ: OK.

GARAMENDI: ... probably OK.

SCHULTZ: Congressman John Garamendi, good to have you with us tonight sir.

GARAMENDI: Always...

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