John McCain On Syria: 'We Can't Stand By And Watch This Happen'

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told Fox News that he finds America's lack of support for the Syrian population "shameful," criticizing the Obama administration for waiting so long to act.

"The only way you're gonna solve this is help those people overthrow Bashar al-Assad," he said. "And is it complicated and is it difficult? Of course. But it's much more complicated and difficult then it would be if we'd acted to help these people two years ago."

McCain criticized the Obama administration for failing to provide gas masks and weapons to the Free Syrian Army. He acknowledged, as many others have, that the "red line" has been crossed, and said that it's "crazy" that the administration hasn't worked more diligently for regime change.

"I am against delaying reaction to what is a massacre of a thousand people," he said. "You saw these pictures of these dead children. Come on. This is horrific. We can't stand by and watch this happen."

When asked about a letter sent from House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), in which the congressmen requested "meaningful consultation with members of Congress," McCain said he agreed that the president should hear from as many lawmakers as possible.

"He is required to consult with Congress and it would be in his best interest to consult with Congress rather than acting in a unilateral fashion," he said.

The interview came shortly after Obama told PBS NewsHour that the United States has "concluded" that the Syrian government did in fact use chemical weapons.

"We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out," he said. "And if that's so, then there need to be international consequences."