U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner on Syria and the NFL's Pocketbook Ban

Ann Wagner, the second district U.S. representative, a Republican, whose district covers a large chuck of the St. Louis area, talked briefly to my colleague Gregg Palermo late last week about two issues on the minds of voters lately:

1) The looming march toward U.S. military involvement in Syria, where a civil war has gripped the country and the United Nations has said Syria's leader, President Bashar al-Assad, gassed civilian members of his own population.

2) The NFL's ban on women's  purses at pro football venues this season. Women can only bring small and clear purses, or small "clutch bags."

On Syria, Wagner told us that late last week she'd gotten 1,400 calls and emails to her Washington and local office overwhelmingly against the use of military force by the United States.

When asked if anything had changed in the 48 hours or so since she publicly came out in opposition, she said, "If anything, I only have more concern as time goes on and more questions. I have to to see the clear or achievable national security objective"

She's been on conference calls with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who have both come out in support of President Barack Obama's request to launch limited missile attacks.

She said she's been assured by them that this is a vote of conscience and that the vote won't be whipped by leadership.

The time for action in Syria was many years ago, she said, and she is concerned about "troubling inaction."

On the NFF, Wagner said she's doing nothing from a congressional standpoint.
 
"I love the Rams," she said. "I'm a season ticket holder," but she conceded that the policy from the NFL is an irritating invasion of privacy.

"When the rules are discussed on the Jumbotron at the (Edward Jones) Dome, I will be booing in harmony along with every woman in the entire stadium," she said.

What do you think?