Obama on His Authorization of Force Proposal: 'ISIL Is Going to Lose'

President Obama, after sending a draft resolution to Congress authorizing military force against the Islamic State, characterized on Wednesday the future of the U.S. mission against the terrorist group in two ways: long and difficult.

"Make no mistake, this is a difficult mission and it will remain difficult for some time," he said in a speech from the White House. "It will take time to dislodge these terrorists, especially from urban areas. But our coalition is on the offensive. ISIL is on the defensive, and ISIL is going to lose."

But he wanted to make clear that this U.S. involvement in the Middle East will be different than what's happened in the recent past.

"The resolution we submitted today does not call for the deployment of U.S. ground combat forces to Iraq or Syria," he said. 'It is not the authorization of another ground war, like Afghanistan or Iraq."

The White House's draft AUMF resolution, sent to Congress this morning, would give the president the authority to use armed forces "against ISIL or associated persons or forces" as Obama and his successor see fit for three years after its enactment, or longer if the resolution is reauthorized. The request limits armed forces in "enduring offensive ground combat operations," but that language has already come under scrutiny from members of Congress for being excessively broad.

The resolution would also repeal the 2002 AUMF for the Iraq war, while leaving in place a 2001 AUMF that gives the president the power to use force against any groups deemed affiliated with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"I do not believe America's interests are served by endless war or by remaining on a perpetual war footing," Obama said.

Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed skepticism with the draft resolution since it landed Wednesday. "Our members of our caucus have questions, as do I," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosisaid at a morning press conference.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest agreed Wednesday afternoon with a reporter who called the AUMF "intentionally fuzzy." The language of the request is "intentionally" fuzzy, Earnest said, to give the president the "flexibility" and authority to respond to a changing situation on the ground.

"We believe it's important that there aren't overly burdensome constraints that are placed on the commander-in-chief who needs the flexibility to be able to respond to contingencies that emerge in a chaotic military conflict," Earnest said.