Overview for obama

Obama's Real Libya Goal: Regime Change

Obama’s Libya speech was intended to reassure voters that the U.S. was only intervening to save lives and not pushing for regime change. Unfortunately, it's just not true. It was a good speech, but it told us nothing that we don’t know. President Barack Obama’s intent was to reassure the …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Tuesday March 29, 2011

Obama's Libyan "Mission Accomplished" Moment

As written and delivered, President Obama's speech on Libya was preposterous. "I hope you are not merely pretending to be wicked, while being secretly good. That would be hypocrisy." As written and delivered, President Obama's speech on Libya was preposterous. We intervened in the midst of …

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 28, 2011

Trump's Birther Obsession

Question to discuss: Is Donald Trump crazy? Or does he just hold a very, very, very low opinion of the Republican primary voter? Question to discuss: Is Donald Trump crazy? Or does he just hold a very, very, very low opinion of the Republican primary voter? Tweet

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 28, 2011

What Obama Should Say About Libya

Sometimes it seems Obama has been so concerned to avoid offending Middle Eastern opinion on Libya that he has disregarded American opinion. President Obama's communications efforts on Libya have received generally bad reviews. Sometimes it has seemed the president has been so concerned to avoid …

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 28, 2011

For GOP Nominee: 2012 Win Won't be Enough

Any Republican running for president must focus not just on winning in 2012, but doing so in a manner that leaves them positioned to govern in 2013. Any Republican contemplating running for president in 2012 has two formidable obstacles: November 2012 and what happens starting January 2013. For …

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Written by Fred Bauer on Friday March 25, 2011

Does the White House Know Obama's Libya Plan?

It's never a good sign when the president's spokesman tells you that the president's strategy is clear, without being able to reiterate clearly what the strategy is. This is never good: Asked about concerns raised the day before in a letter by the House speaker, John A. Boehner, Mr. Obama’s …

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Written by David Frum on Friday March 25, 2011

The U.S. Army Critiques the Libya Campaign

President Obama should have taken a look at the U.S. Army Field Manual before signing up for the Libyan no-fly zone mission. From the U.S. Army Field Manual: For every objective, ensure unity of command under one responsible commander. From Thursday's New York Times : Only on …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday March 24, 2011

Obama Takes Page from Wolfowitz's Playbook

Obama once dismissed Paul Wolfowitz as an "arm-chair weekend warrior." Now he's relying on his doctrine to make the case for intervening in Libya. In late February, as the Libyan crisis unfolded, former Undersecretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz made an impassioned plea for the United States to …

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Written by Tim Hodgson on Wednesday March 23, 2011

The Beltway's Libya Flip-Out

Like many, I find myself frustrated by Obama’s handling of the crisis in Libya, but even more upset with the critics -- from both right and left. I just can’t seem to help myself. I may be stubborn, stupid, or congenitally contrarian--or some combination of all three. I find myself having been …

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Written by Les Francis on Wednesday March 23, 2011

Obama's Libya Plan: What's the Endgame?

Obama says it is US "policy" that Qaddafi must go. Yet, Defense Secretary Gates says US operations in Libya will dwindle over the next few days. Does any of this add up? So Defense Secretary Bob Gates says the US opposes the division of Libya into autonomous zones. Yet US war aims do not …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday March 22, 2011

Why Did Obama Bypass Congress on Libya?

It's very strange and odd that Obama didn't seek congressional authorization before launching strikes on Libya. Will Congress make him regret the decision? It's very strange and odd that President Obama did not seek congressional authorization before launching strikes on Libya. In his mind, he …

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 21, 2011

War by Committee

The enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya is being described as America's "third war". But with no clear objective it's more like a glorified international police action. "War is diplomacy by other means." - Clausewitz "You are a professional, but the world is full of dangerous amateurs."  …

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Written by Sean Linnane on Sunday March 20, 2011

Follower-in-Chief

In his desire not to repeat our open-ended commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama's just pledged the U.S. to an open-ended fight in Libya. It’s not just generals who fight the last war. President Obama’s speech about Libya on Friday afternoon served notice: he is still fighting against the …

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Written by David Frum on Friday March 18, 2011

Obama’s Libyan Opportunity

A success in Libya could give Obama cover for a faster windup of the war in Afghanistan. A success in Libya could give cover for a faster windup of the war in Afghanistan. With Saddam and Qaddafi overthrown, it may not matter so much that we were unable to build a stable government in poor and …

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Written by David Frum on Friday March 18, 2011

Why Obama Must Intervene in Libya

Obama is wrestling with whether or not to intervene in Libya. One consideration should top his thinking: What message will it send if Qaddafi survives? President Barack Obama is wrestling with a decision whether or not to intervene in Libya. Here is a consideration that should top the president…

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Written by David Frum on Monday March 7, 2011

Obama's New Spin Machine

On Sunday, the White House sent new Chief of Staff Bill Daley out on Meet the Press for the first time since Rahm Emanuel bounced to Chicago. On Sunday, the White House sent new Chief of Staff Bill Daley out to do Meet the Press for the first time since Mayor Rahm bounced from the post to run …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday March 7, 2011

Hold Off on the Budget Back-Slapping

While Washington congratulates itself over the two-week budget deal, one fact's been forgotten: this budget showdown should never have happened. Legislation appropriating funds to keep the federal government open for business for the next two weeks has passed the House and Senate and been signed …

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Written by Les Francis on Thursday March 3, 2011

Obama's Mandate Waiver Trick

Obama's new proposal would grant waivers to states to create their own health plans. But the economics of healthcare may set the states up for failure. On Monday, President Obama announced to the National Governors Association that he would endorse a waiver for states to create their own health …

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Written by Stanley Goldfarb on Tuesday March 1, 2011

Newt's Obama Impeachment Stunt

This week, Newt Gingrich played up Obama's refusal to defend DOMA, claiming it could thrust us into a "constitutional crisis." Skill-testing question for constitutional conservatives. Suppose you are an elected official. Congress enacts a law you regard as unconstitutional. What do you do? …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 26, 2011

Where Were Qaddafi's Critics All This Time?

Switzerland has frozen Qaddafi's assets and human rights groups are urging intervention. But where were they a month ago when Qaddafi was just as heinous? It's been a bad 24 hours for Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhāfi (as Daniel Pipes tells us to spell the name): The Obama administration has urged that …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday February 24, 2011