CNN "Newsroom" - Transcript: Syria

Interview

Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge is with me. She's the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Welcome, Congresswoman.

REP. MARCIA FUDGE (D), OHIO (via telephone): Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.

COSTELLO: Thanks for being here.

First, I want to get your reaction to this breaking news about Syria -- acceptance Russia's proposal to turn over its chemical weapons.

FUDGE: I mean, I think that's outstanding. I do believe that if there is some way we can find a diplomatic way to address the atrocities in Syria, I think that we should move forward with all due speed to make sure it is something that is credible and I think that we should engage with this kind of a discussion.

COSTELLO: Do you trust Russia, trust Syria?

FUDGE: I don't know that I trust any of them, but that doesn't mean that this is not something that is not going to happen. I think that we really do want to do is make sure that we take chemical weapons away from Syrians and I do as well believe that because of the threats that have come from the United States, that Russia and Syria both understand that there needs to be some action. So, I'm hopeful, certainly, that this is something that is going to move forward.

COSTELLO: When I introduced you, I read a quote from Congressman Cleaver who said, you know, we want to be with you, President Obama, but we just can't. We can't be with you.

How many members of the Congressional Black Caucus are with the president and support military action?

FUDGE: We have not taken any kind of a poll. Every member is going to make their own decision, so I really don't have that answer. I don't think anyone has that answer.

COSTELLO: Well, the way it looks now, it's unlikely that the president will get congressional support, especially from the House of Representatives, for a military strike. Does this deal that Russia has put forth and presented to Syria, does this save face for the president? I mean, how do you characterize this?

FUDGE: I don't know that it's a matter of saving face. I think the president did the right thing by coming to the House of -- by coming to Congress. It's something that many, many of us that wrote letters, we sent all kinds of messages to the White House saying that this was a decision we'd like to be involved in. He did that.

Now, whatever happens in Congress, I can't call it. But I would say to you that if, in fact, this situation does work itself out in a nonmilitary way, I think it's a benefit for the entire world, not just for the United States.

COSTELLO: So the president talked with the Congressional Black Caucus for a little less than an hour, also his national security adviser, Susan Rice, was there.

Obviously, they didn't change minds enough for people to come out and say, yes, I agree with you President Obama.

So, in light of that, what more does the president need to say tonight?

FUDGE: Well, I think the president needs to do tonight is to convince the American people. We do have responsibility as members of Congress, but as well we have constituencies who have been very vocal about their opinion. So, I think it's important for him to make the case to the American public, why this action needs to happen.

And I think that if he does that, I think he has a very good shot at getting the support in Congress. If he doesn't, I think it's going to be a very difficult --

COSTELLO: You really do?

FUDGE: -- road ahead.

COSTELLO: You really do, especially in the House of Representatives? You think the president has a good chance, like a military strike? That's what we're specifically talking about.

FUDGE: No, I said if he makes the case to the American public, I think that it is possible. But he has to make the case to the American public and to those members of Congress who are still skeptical. I mean, I think if he does that, I think there will be some people who will side with him, because so many -- more than 300 members of the Congress are undecided.

So, I think this is his opportunity to give us the kind of information we immediate to make a decision. I'm one of the undecideds. So, I want to hear what he has to say.

COSTELLO: I'm just curious about something. I think many political pundits are curious as well. You urged CBC members to remain largely silent on Syria until more information comes forth. Why was that?

FUDGE: I didn't urge them to be silent. My words were: limit your comments --

COSTELLO: Why?

FUDGE: -- until we have all of the information. Because I think it's important that we have all of the information before we start making statements and don't really know, in many instances, what it is we're making statements about.

COSTELLO: I just ask you that because some cynics might say, here are President Obama's most ardent supporters and they can't get behind him and fight the fight alongside him.

FUDGE: Well, let me just say to you -- I am a member of the U.S. Congress. I have a constituency just as every other member here. He is the president of the United States, just as there have been other presidents.

We make decisions based upon what we think is best for the country, we make decisions what we believe is best for our constituents. We do not make a decision based upon who is in the White House.

And so, I am hopeful that people will understand, wherever we end up as a caucus, that we are doing what we believe is best for the American people and for the United States of America.

COSTELLO: Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, thanks so much for joining me this morning.

FUDGE: Thank you.

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