Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says the Obama administration has so far not articulated a "clear-cut objective" related to possible military action against Syria.
Speaking to WKU Public Radio Friday morning, Sen. Paul said no U.S. strike should occur unless it's approved by a Congressional vote.
You can read the transcript of the Senator's conversation with WKU Public Radio here.
The Bowling Green Republican said that until he sees the evidence gathered by the U.S. on the chemical weapons attack that allegedly occurred in Syria, he can't be sure who was behind the assault.
"One commentator recently asked the question--it's a Latin phrase--'cui bono?' Whose benefit is this? To whom does the benefit accrue if you have this attack? Well, it doesn't seem to be helping Assad any, it seems to be united the world against him," said Sen. Paul.
"So there is a possibility that maybe the rebels instigated this chemical attack. I would at least want to see the evidence before launching a war."
Senator Paul expressed concern over what he described as a "lack of strategic objective" in striking Syria. The Tea Party favorite described war as "the last resort, not the first resort."
"War is something that when we fight it, we should fight to win," Paul said. "Everything (the White House) is pre-announcing is, 'Oh, it's just going to be a few missiles, we're really not going to get involved, we're not going to have regime change,' Well, if we really don't have a clear-cut objective or reason to be there, then maybe we shouldn't be there."
Supporters of U.S. military action against Syria say a message must be sent that it's unacceptable to use chemical weapons.
The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. intelligence agencies believe the poison gas sarin was used in Syria, and estimate the death toll at 500 to 1,000 people.
