Natalie Gonnella
Here's a quick look at a few of the initial statements from members of the GOP in response to President Obama's speech on US operations in Libya:
Spokesman Michael Steel on behalf of House Speaker John Boehner:
It was helpful that the American people were able to hear from their commander-in-chief tonight. Unfortunately, Americans waited a long time to get few new answers. Whether it’s the American resources that will be required, our standards and objectives for engaging the rebel opposition, or how this action is consistent with U.S. policy goals, the speech failed to provide Americans much clarity to our involvement in Libya.
I welcome the President’s strong defense of our military action in Libya, and I appreciate that he explained why this intervention was both right and necessary in light of the unprecedented democratic awakening now sweeping the broader Middle East. Had we not acted in Libya, Benghazi would have become a scene of mass slaughter and a source of international shame....The mission in Libya is going well, but we have not yet accomplished our goal. I am thankful for our many friends and allies, especially our Arab partners, that are contributing to the mission. However, that is not a substitute for U.S. leadership. If our goal in Libya is worth fighting for, and I believe it is, then the United States must remain strongly engaged to force Qaddafi to leave power.”
The situation in Libya, with a dictator turning a nation’s military against its own people, is tragic. I remain very concerned, however, that President Obama has yet to clearly define the scope of our mission, the metrics for success, and our ultimate goal in Libya. With chaos in Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, and Iran again stepping up activity in Syria and with Hamas, President Obama has yet to justify our involvement in Libya; even Defense Secretary Gates said the involvement was not in our vital national security interest. Tonight’s speech left many questions unanswered, and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to learning more from Administration regarding the national security rationale in the hearings and briefings to follow this week.
Whenever the President of the United States authorizes a military intervention, he must clearly define the goal and mission of our involvement to Congress, our men and women in uniform, and the American people. Unfortunately, President Obama has failed to meet this criteria, and the cost of our involvement in Libya remains unclear. Huge changes are occurring all over the Middle East, and while we are grateful for our allies in Europe and the Arab community, clear and focused American leadership is as important today as it ever has been. The President's response to these upheavals has often been unsteady and uncertain. If the United States was going to act in Libya, the President should have acted weeks before he did, and done so using much clearer guiding principles and with a more clearly-defined strategy. I'm hopeful our efforts in Libya are met with success, but at this time I remain deeply concerned that contradictions in the President's strategy could have real repercussions for America in the region and throughout the world.
Tonight’s speech leaves more questions unanswered than answered. The president failed to fully explain why U.S. military involvement in Libya is in our national interest, and how Americans would be endangered if Moammar Qadhafi remains in power. Although he was eager to say the leadership of Operation Odyssey Dawn is being handed over to NATO, he failed to list detailed, specific goals for that operation, and an exit strategy for it. He failed to explain his vision for a post-Qadhafi Libya. And, perhaps most troubling, he failed to acknowledge the constitutionality of his actions or the need to consult with Congress about them. In fact, he spoke to the American people tonight – nine days after authorizing military action – only after getting considerable heat from conservatives and liberals alike. His administration took the time to reach out to the Arab League and it took the time to reach out to the United Nations; it needs to put that much effort into continuing to reach out to the American people and to Congress, too.
The brave men and women of our nation’s armed forces are to be commended for once again answering the call to serve, this time in Libya. The President’s speech tonight offered few details, and there are many unanswered questions about our nation’s role in Libya. Congress and the American people deserve to know precisely what our nation’s function will continue to be in this conflict.”
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