And what would those political objectives be, exactly?
The fact of the matter is it's becoming clear - and many people warned well beforehand - that the "rebels" were and are supported by al-Qaeda. Put another way, our "no-fly" zone is giving aid, comfort and cover to some of the same men who have been fighting US service member in Afghanistan & Iraq for the last 9-years.
There was never and is not now a "mission" in this Libyan civil war for the US military. And, to anyone with even a passing understanding of the history of Libya the last 50-years, this would have been self-evident. Gaddafi has claimed - correctly as it turns out - that the Cyrenaican tribes have been working with al-Qaeda for years. In fact, Gaddafi has been a partner with the us, providing intelligence.
Calling for and implementing a no-fly zone was a huge tactical blunder on our mistake - and it's a blunder shared by Obama, Gingrich and Palin.
You know Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi is the rebel commander, how?
Because he says so?
We gave Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi to Gaddafi. Gaddafi released Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi.
Alright, but when did this fact become apparent to all concerned - especially those without access to the latest intelligence briefings?
I first began hearing talk that the 'rebels' were in actual fact, Al Qaeda, only days ago. Prior to that, and while the situation was developing, the so-called uprising in Libya looked for all the world like a real citizen rebellion.
Of course, these revelations are embarrassing to every national level figure who's put their reputation on the line by making public comment about the Libya situation, but the administration has been in a better position to know the real facts on the ground, than anyone else. If anyone is to be excoriated for choosing the wrong response, it's them.