I don't think Obama wanted to do anything. If he really wanted to do something, he wouldn't ask for congress' permission. A congress that doesn't do anything and is sure to go against the president is at least good for these times to get out of the corner he pretty much put himself there in the first place by setting a red line.

Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and the rest didn't want war, but now don't want the negotiations either. It doesn't matter what this president does, they are against it, no matter how many times they have to change their positions.