Obama Strike on Syria Still a Tough Sell Abroad at the G20 and at Home As we come on the air, president obama is on his way home after lobbying world leaders to support his military strike on syria. But when he lands, he has to gear up again and convince the american people, and lawmakers here to stand with him. Abc's chief white house correspondent jonathan karl is traveling with the president and asking the big questions tonight. The president didn't find much support for military action against syria here at this summit of world leaders in russia. And he acknowledged he may not find much at home. It's conceivable that, at the end of the day, I don't persuade a majority of the american people that it's the right thing to do. And then each member of congress is going to have to decide if i think it's the right thing to do for the -- america's national security. Reporter: The president asked for congressional approval before striking syria, but he has not said what he would do if congress votes no. I still haven't heard a direct response if congress fails to authorize this, will you go forward with an attack on syria? Right, and you're not getting a direct response. Reporter: Well, it's a pretty basic question. I think we will be more effective and stronger if in fact congress authorizes this action. I'm not going to engage in parlor games now, jonathan, about whether or not it's going to pass when I'm talking substantively to congress about why this is important and talking to the american people about why this is important. Reporter: Support in congress is plunging. Even democratic house leader nancy pelosi said today that the president needs to make a stronger case. In an attempt to do that, president obama said he would give a speech to the nation on tuesday. Before leaving russia, the president had a brief, unscheduled meeting with vladimir putin that did nothing to overcome their differences on syria. In fact, afterwards, putin was asked what he would do if the u.S. Attacks. Will we help syria? "We will," he said. As for the rest of the world, 11 of the 19 countries at this summit signed a joint statement blaming the syrian government for using chemical weapons. But stopping short of calling for military action. Several other countries here, including china, brazil, argentina, and of course russia, came out against a strike. And actual material support for the united states on this is almost non-existent. At this point only france would join the united states if there's a military strike against syria. Thanks so much, jon. At home, we continue to track how the president is doing on his quest for support. The opposition seems to be rising. Last night our political team counted 217 house members who say they opposed it or likely would, tonight the number is ticking up, now at 225 likely to oppose.