Rubio, Nelson Say Long Road Ahead to Defeat IS

Florida's two senators say the fight against the Islamic State (IS) is likely to be long and difficult, setting the stage for possible further military action in the Middle East.

Speaking to CNN Thursday morning, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he hoped there would be no American troops sent to the ground in Syria, where President Barack Obama on Wednesday evening authorized airstrikes to hit.

I dont think thats something we need to do right away, he said. We need to be honest with the American people. It could require that.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., agreed with Rubio that the fight against IS could take several years, but remained hopeful that IS could be defeated.

"This group will be degraded and defeated, but its going to be a long-term deal, he said in a statement. Its going to be probably years. The United States is putting together the coalition that will go after them. The U.S. will probably put boots on the ground, but it will be more commando raids and forward air observers with others to do the actual strikes on the ground. But we have no choice. This is a vicious, diabolical group that must be stopped.