Washington:Lawmakers remained sharply divided Tuesday night over how tough to get with Syria despite President Obamas major national address,leaving an open question as to whether the president could corral the votes for a military strike should he decide to take that route.

The president backed off the military option in his speech, saying he has asked Congress to postpone a vote while he waits for Russia-backed diplomatic talks to play out.

Some, like Tea Party favorite Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, seemed to support Obamas plans to give diplomacy a chance, while others blasted the president for an allegedly watered-down approach and criticized his inconsistencies on how to deal with Syria.Paul, though, made clear he would not support military action if diplomacy fails.

The Republican National Committee,strongly came out against Obamas alleged waffling and said his performance has damaged the countrys credibility on a global scale.