GOP loath to credit Obama for Kadafi's end

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

As you might expect, Republicans aren’t exactly rushing to credit the Obama administration for first the downfall and now the death of Moammar Kadafi, even though the United States was part of the NATO force that backed the rebels who deposed the longtime Libyan leader.

Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, who have favored strong U.S. intervention in the Libyan conflict, took it one step further Thursday, praising the efforts of Britain and France in bringing down Kadafi.

That’s right. France. It wasn’t all that long ago that House Republicans were renaming their French fries.

“Let’s give credit where credit is due. It’s the French and the British that led on this fight and probably even led on the strike that led to Kadafi’s capture—or to his death,” Rubio told Fox News Channel before making similar remarks on the Senate floor.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-gop-credit-obama-20111020,0,5192293.story?track=rss

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Marc Rubio was on CNN today saying that President Obama's Libya policy was a failure because we did not commit enough forces quickly enough and that if we had, the conflict would have been over in days. The President Obama's failure to engage in shock and awe lead to months of bloodshed. There is no support for their talking point, and it is flatly contradicted by the Afganistan and Iraq experience, but the corporate media simply lets Republicans spout these talking points without question.

Think about it. Apply the Republican logic and talking points to Iran, and what do you think a President Romney would do?

[tblue]

1. Did you expect anything else?

Seriously. They are as predictable as the day is long. You could write that headline before it even happened.

[gateley]

2. GOP Loath to Credit Obama. nt

[bluestateguy]

3. It's not patriotic to criticize the commander in chief in a time of war

To do so is unAmerican.

[No Elephants]

8. Just the opposite.

Criticizing the CIC, especially in time of war, in uniquely American. It's why we invented the First Amendment, theretofore a legal right nowhere else in the world, ever. Not only is the First Amendment uniquely American, I would argue that it is your duty, as a U.S. citizen in a democracy, to use the First Amendment, especially during time of war, to inform yourself (and, if you are so inclined, to inform others).


You are saying exactly what Bushbot posters said when Democrats criticized Bush's actions in Iraq. It was wrong then and it is wrong now.

The concept is a marketplace of ideas, not blind support for TPTB, whoever they happen to be at that moment, just because they went to war. A critic of the CIC speaks. A supporter replies. People pick and choose among the ideas put forth. If everyone zips it, as you say they should, how on earth does anyone make an intelligent decision when it is time to vote?

What is more important to this country and to you personally than where, when and how a CIC uses the blood and treasure of your country--maybe your own son or daughter or your neighbor's, and certainly your own tax dollars., what is worth criticizing him or her about?

Do you think criticizing FDR for imprisioning Japanese Americans during WWII would have been un-American, or the duty of every real American?

Besides, just think of what your position encourages. Let's say a POTUS who is getting flack from the media and the public wants to be re-elected and has no scruples. What better way to silence critics than to start a war? Isn't that exactly what many Democrats claimed had been Dummya's strategy?

Finally, we have been at war since September 11, 2001. According to you, no one should have been critizing Bush or Obama about Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gitmo, torture, etc. during all that time. Do you really believe that? And, if so, wouldn't that have only ensured Bush's re-election, perhaps even far more than election fraud would have/did?

Further, given the WOT, it is likely we will always claim to be at "war," as long as anyone anywhere is perceived as a threat to "the homeland." Or as long as someone can make big bucks on that.

Do you really believe it would be un American to raise a voice under those conditions?

I don't believe that the people who had just been through the Revolution and who insisted that the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution ASAP would agree with that stance AT ALL.

[caseymoz]

4. I feel sorry for those people on FOX. Um, wait, no I don't.

Always having to Obama's great successes into abysmal failures, throwing out their intelligence and dignity . . .

[No Elephants]

14. You cannot throw out intelligence and dignity unless you had them at some point. nt

[Maraya1969]

5. I wonder how that makes an American soldier stationed in Lybia feel?

Giving all the credit to France and Britain? What a jackass.

[EFerrari]

7. Are there Amerian soldiers stationed in Libya?

Obama said there aren't any.

On the other hand, go watch the video of Gaddafi being murdered by a mob and then decide if that's something Obama should take credit for.

[tabasco]

21. Maybe you have been under a rock for the last few months.

The U.S. participation in the NATO operation to support the Libyan rebels was key in Khadaffi's downfall and death.

Boohoohoo for the poor murderous dictator!! :cry:

[EFerrari]

23. Your comment doesnt speak to any part of my post. nt

[No Elephants]

9. I thought we were not supposed to have troops stationed in Libya?

[Volaris]

18. Its the same set of Jackasses, mind you

that pitched an apoplectic fit when the Pres. said he would NOT be committing a major American ground offensive to this effort, and they did so under the guise of Britain (and especially France) not being able to do this (mostly) on their own. I said then, that the Libyan Air Force (hahahahaha) was not going to be a problem for Her Majesty's Navy, and France's Air Force is mostly American trained and equipped anyway (with the exception of a few avionics modifications here and there, right?).

So yeah, let 'em complain. It's another check-mark in the WIN column for Obama, and they can't do a thing about it, and they KNOW IT. Kinda makes you smile, don't it???

[ButterflyBlood]

6. Suck it GOP. Obama got the guy beloved Saint Ronnie couldn't.

And who Bush did everything appease. And yet Obama arranged for that POS to get whacked.

[No Elephants]

11. Really? Obama arranged for the Libyan rebels to slaughter Gaddafi?

Did he arrange for the revolution, too?

[Kurmudgeon]

10. Right wing traitors are traitorous, no surprise there. Party before Country right wing.

[No Elephants]

12. Good thing we never see any of that Party before Country stuff on DU!

[Major Hogwash]

13. Jon Stewart hit the nail on the head tonight -- including clips from John Bolton, Grassley, McCain,

And Rubio all repeating the same "talking points" they had been given.

[No Elephants]

15. Both Parties give out talking points. The only real issue is whether the points are vailid.

In this case, it's beside the point, no pun intended.

I'm just grateful we did not get enmired in another Middle Eastern war. They seem to be addictive.

[Major Hogwash]

16. Dude, the Democrats don't go on teevee and sound like robots.

That would be the GOP that does that.

[CrackersMcGee]

17. They weren't loath to pin it on him when it seemed like a stalemate.

Now, predictably, they want to avert attention and sweep the whole thing under the rug.

[Shadowflash]

19. I was listening to NPR this morning

and could have sworn I heard them playing a sound bite of McCain giving Obama some credit for this. Or maybe it was the national affiliate of my local news station (CBS I believe.)

In any case -- I thought I heard McCain giving some credit to Obama, but I was driving through heavy traffic and maybe misheard it. I'll see if I can find it.

[CBHagman]

22. I saw that one too.

Perhaps it was Rachel Maddow who showed it -- a clip of McCain uttering words of praise for the administration. In any event, it was better than the sneering John Barrasso (R-WY) and his ilk, whose words reflected the subject of this thread.

[tabasco]

20. Why do McCain and Rubio hate America?

Serious question.