WH: Libya Delay May Have 'Cost Lives'

The Hill reports:

The White House fired back Thursday at criticism over the Libya military mission, saying lawmakers were briefed and consulted at length before air strikes began.

White House press secretary Jay Carney read off a list of dates when administration officials briefed members or testified on the Hill during an off-camera briefing held the day after President Obama returned from a trip to South and Central America.

The press secretary also said the U.S. had to act quickly when air strikes began Saturday because further delay would have “cost lives.”

Separately, the White House set up a classified briefing for Wednesday that all lawmakers are invited to attend. The briefing, which is co-hosted by House Democrats and Republicans, will be presented by Defense Sec. Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen.

Carney said the president believes it is important to consult with Congress but that immediate action was required in Libya.

“He also believes he’s the commander in chief whose leadership requires him to take action when action will save lives and delaying action will cost lives,” Carney said.

Had Obama and the international community not acted, Carney said Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi would now control the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and many civilians would have been killed.

Criticism of the Libyan mission from GOP lawmakers has ramped up over the last few days, with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) slamming Obama in a Wednesday letter to the White House for not clearly stating the goals of the Libyan mission before launching the attacks. Boehner ripped the White House for offering a “sometimes contradictory” case for the war.

The Speaker’s letter asked a number of questions about the military action, including its possible costs and its goals.

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