Whoa. What exactly did the aide say?

U.S. official to New York Times: “If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?” — Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) May 5, 2013

Foul. As we reported, the White House is now playing off Obama’s “red line” comments about Syria as an “off-the-cuff” remark. It was totally just a gaffe, people! That article also mentioned the despicable sarin remark made by an Obama aide.

“@DRUDGE_REPORT: 'If Assad Drops Sarin On His Own People, What's That Got Do Do With Us?' http://t.co/0ddGxFEbKO” what?! — Rosie (@ladymac_rosie) May 5, 2013

The unnamed White House official said, according to the New York Times, “How can we attack another country unless it’s in self-defense and with no Security Council resolution? If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?”

who's surprised? MT @AntDeRosa: Obama advisor “If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?” http://t.co/Rsb6a2RUqS — Danielle Tcholakian (@danielleiat) May 5, 2013

Perhaps not surprising, but outrageous nonetheless. Sarin is a nerve agent used in chemical warfare. More from the CDC:

Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. They are similar to certain kinds of pesticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause. However, nerve agents are much more potent than organophosphate pesticides.

That sarin quote is really, really bad…I'm on the fence about military intervention in Syria, but shouldn't be cavalier abt sarin's use… — Liz Mair (@LizMair) May 5, 2013

RT @morningmoneyben Terrible quote MT @CarlCannon Obama aide tells NYT "If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?" — Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) May 5, 2013

Obama aide: “If Assad drops sarin on own people, what’s that got to do with us?” Vilest thing I've heard in long time http://t.co/7Bae4OVjO6 — Julie Lenarz (@MsIntervention) May 5, 2013

@GlennK1962HD2 @robfit #Obama aide tells NYT: “If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?" –> Credibility RIP — Edisa (@EdisWorldView) May 5, 2013

So use of sarin has nothing to do with us…unless there's a Security Council resolution? http://t.co/edX2Q5DYlC — John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 5, 2013

Telling.

Somebody should enroll Obama foreign policy advisers in remedial quote school–the sarin line is as damaging as "leading from behind" — John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 5, 2013

Obama adviser: “If Assad drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?” Humanity RIP. http://t.co/7Bae4OVjO6 — Julie Lenarz (@MsIntervention) May 5, 2013

#Obama aide tells NYT: “If he drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?" WTF??? Moral Bankruptcy of Obama admin complete — Edisa (@EdisWorldView) May 5, 2013

"If Assad drops sarin on his own people, what’s that got to do with us?" is the new Obama admin version of "what difference does it make?". — Julie Lenarz (@MsIntervention) May 5, 2013

Unreal.

Related:

Paper Tiger POTUS: Obama’s ‘red line’ on Syria totally just a gaffe, guys!

Jake Tapper to David Gregory: ‘I just don’t see any’ pressure on Obama to act on Syria

Obama hawks anniversary for sweet email addresses after Turkey launches retaliatory strike against Syria

Out: Netanyahu’s #BibiBomb; In: Hillary Clinton’s red line for Syria on chemical weapons