Posted on 08/23/2011 2:37:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
For Barack Obama, "leading from behind" has never looked so ... decisive. With Libyan rebels celebrating in downtown Tripoli, and Muammar el-Qaddafi apparently in hiding, the president's supporters are claiming vindication for a much-criticized approach to regime change in the Arab world.
Obama's strategy amounted to staying resolutely behind the scenes throughout the five-month NATO air operation. To wit: Don't say the United States is openly engaged in ousting Qaddafi. Don't even concede the United States is going to war. Take cover behind a political imprimatur for action from the Arab League and United Nations, and let Europe lead the strike forces. Then modestly take credit--albeit only with a restrained statement on Monday from Martha's Vineyard, where Obama is vacationing.
MORE FROM NATIONAL JOURNAL: Romney Playing Hands-Off When It Comes to Rick Perry Could We See a 'Libya Stimulus'? Huntsman Slams GOP Presidential Field "I think this is a tremendous achievement," said James Steinberg, Hillary Rodham Clinton's recently departed deputy secretary of State, who is now dean of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. "The biggest factor to date is the fact that we [Americans] have not been the problem. People aren't saying the Americans are trying to do regime change. Whether in Tunisia or Libya or Egypt, we are seen as supportive of others. It's an obvious contrast with the previous administration.... And the fact that tyrants are not able to rally their people against us shows the nuance and skill of this. It's working."
Obama, with his administration in crisis over a staggering economy and mounting U.S. debt as he winds down two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
Barack Obamah is giving us a radicalized islamic Egypt, Libya and soon to be Syria.
You and I can only guess his plans for Israel.
Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links
"Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi, the Libyan rebel leader, has said jihadists who fought against allied troops in Iraq are on the front lines of the battle against Muammar Gaddafi's regime."
Praise Obama. Obama ahkbar.
I've heard that Libya sent more men to Iraq to fight U.S. and ally forces than any other country.. Obama wins in Libya. You can say that again.
“Leave it to the elitists at the Atlantic to think Gadhafi’s overthrow somehow matters to Americans trying to find jobs and figure out how they’re going to pay their bills.”
Unless they think that this madman didn’t dump ALL of his nukes and there’s a suitcase or two headed our way....
I thought Mooslimar K-Dumby was BFF with O-liar?
So ya mean the Kenyan lizard violated the War Powers act and spent a billion dollars without authorization. Is that what your celebrating?
Oh? By the way, who are the rebels?
So ya mean the Kenyan lizard violated the War Powers act and spent a billion dollars without authorization. Is that what your celebrating?
Oh? By the way, who are the rebels?
We shall see.
Jimbo only lost Iran (and that was bad enough). Obama is going to lose the entire Middle East.
Pray for Israel. I do.
quackdaffy was big time buds with rev wright’s church and baraq and farakook. Didn’t make much sense why baraq would turn on one of his peeps. But after his ushering in the muslim brotherhood into Egypt, I guess he chose the MB over his bud.
BUT HE’S NOT A MUSLIM!!!!!!!
he told us that.
You are all missing one very important thing. No Democrat is raving about the “Obama” role in Libya. The story is yet to play out and probably will go the same way that Egypt went with Obama kindling the Muslim brotherhood!!! Obama will get little bounce from his Libya exploit which will end up be negative for the USA, as all Obama’s other Middle East undertakings have turned out. Face it, Obama stands with likes of the Muslim Brotherhood along with his icons, Jeremiah Wright & Louie Farrakhan, etc. Obama is neither friend, nor champion to the USA!!!
A thought here.
Where is the outrage from rev wright and louie farakkan?
Quadaffi was a fellow traveller.
bet baraq’s 20 year minister is P.O.’d.
C’mon farakkan, get out there and denounce your boy. You know you want to.
yah. The situation in Libya may be many things, but it is anything but over.
A reasonable man would be very cautious about taking credit for Libya before Kadaffy and his sons heads show up on platters in front of CNN, Sky News, etc......
LLS
And the media will portray him as a genius super general.
Obama, the worst leader in history.
abc reported 1 billion in our money and we loaned nato billions.
LLS
Probably Europe too.
Someone had to flip the first domino.
I agree, in fact think that the average American is infuriated by the mere mention of the middle east and doesn't care what happens over there.
A great many Americans (including Obama) couldn’t find Libya on a map the size of a barn door and an equal number have never even heard of the place.
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