Republican House lawmaker fundraising off flip-flop on Syria strike vote

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) is fundraising off of his decision to withdraw support for a military strike on Syria. 

{mosads}”As your voice in Washington, I will continue to listen and take a stand for you. Donate today to stand with me to strongly oppose military action in Syria,” reads a fundraising pitch Grimm sent around to supporters.

An email asks supporters to donate $25 ore more to “stand with” the congressman in opposing “President Obama’s plan.”

Grimm made headlines Thursday when he shifted positions on Syria. 

Initially in favor of military action, he said that he withdrew his support because Obama “showed his hand when he should have kept it close” in deciding to pursue congressional approval for military action before moving forward with attacks.

“Now that the [President Bashar] Assad regime has seen our playbook and has been given enough time to prepare and safeguard potential targets, I do not feel that we have enough to gain as a nation by moving forward with this attack on our own,” he said in a release.

In the fundraising email, he further explained his position and accused Obama of “failing to show strength” on Syria.

“President Obama has failed to show strength at this critical moment in time. While the debate in Congress continues, our nation’s credibility grows weaker and weaker. After much deliberation and prayer, I have decided to withdraw my support. I do not feel that our country has enough to gain by moving forward with this attack,” he said.

The chances of a resolution to approve the use of military force in Syria passing the House look slim at this point, with liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans alike expressing opposition.

It’s a particularly difficult issue for Congress’s most vulnerable members, who are running for reelection in swing districts and facing public opinion heavily against engagement.

Grimm is one of those vulnerable members. He won reelection by just 5 points in 2012 in a district President Obama won — and Democrats have again placed him on their target lists.

In explaining his shift on Syria, Grimm said he “heard from many constituents who strongly oppose unilateral action” in Syria — an indication he was concerned the public backlash his initial support could become an issue for him in his reelection fight.

At least one other Republican is fundraising off of the issue. 

Terri Lynn Land, a Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, sent an email to supporters on Thursday telling them to sign a petition to urge Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Gary Peters, who remains undecided, to vote “no” on Syria. It includes a link to donate at the end.

— Updated at 11:10 a.m.