Thanks For Nothing, Obama!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Top Republicans are starting to weigh in on Muammar Qaddafi’s death and one consistent theme is quickly emerging: Barack who?

Mitt Romney, appearing on a radio program in Iowa, said it couldn’t come soon enough.

“I have seen those reports and if accurate I think the response is it’s about time,” he said. “This was a tyrant who has been killing his own people and of course is responsible for the lives of American citizens lost in the Lockerbie attack….I think people across the world recognize that the world is a better place without Muammar Qaddafi.”

Romney’s analysis of the Libya conflict has been nuanced. Back before the Arab Spring, Romney cited comments from Qaddafi praising Obama as evidence the president was weak on dictators. After operations against Qaddafi’s forces began in March, he announced his support for the intervention but later warned of “mission creep” and criticized President Obama for demanding the dictator’s ouster. “Now the president is saying we have to remove Qaddafi,” he said in New Hampshire in July. “Who’s going to own Libya if we get rid of the government there?”

In an e-mail to Politico’s Ben Smith, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom clarified Romney’s position and made absolutely clear that Obama did not deserve credit for Thursday’s news.

“Mitt Romney has responded to the situation in Libya as it has developed,” he said. “It is the president who has been completely unclear regarding what his intention was with respect to our military’s involvement in Libya.”

He added: “Mitt Romney supported the initial humanitarian mission-as articulated by President Obama-to enforce a no-fly zone. As the mission went on, however, it became clear that President Obama had no idea about his intentions in Libya and that’s when Mitt warned against mission muddle and mission creep. The fall from power and subsequent death of Qaddafi brings to end a brutal chapter in Libya’s history-but that does not validate the president’s approach to Libya. The credit goes to the people of Libya.”

Rick Perry hailed Qaddafi’s death, but also left out any mention of the president’s decision to attack the dictator’s forces from his comments.

“The death of Muammar el-Qaddafi is good news for the people of Libya,” he said in a statement. “It should bring the end of conflict there, and help them move closer to elections and a real democracy. The United States should work closely with Libya to ensure the transition is successful, and that a stable, peaceful nation emerges. The U.S. must also take an active role in ensuring the security of any remaining stockpiles of Qaddafi’s weapons. These weapons pose a real danger to the United States and our allies, and we cannot help secure them through simple observation.”

One prominent Republican went out of the way to give Europe credit instead. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) told FOX News “Today’s not a day to point fingers” when asked about America’s role in Qaddafi’s death, before saying France and England were really the ones responsible for deposing the dictator. He later issued a statement thanking “American and NATO forces” for the victory.

Update: Ben Smith notes that a surprising number of Republicans aren’t even thanking US troops for the outcome.

Update: CNN’s Pete Hamby reports on Twitter that Mitt Romney took a question in Iowa this afternoon on whether Obama deserves credit for Qaddafi. “Yes, yes, absolutely,” he said.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/republicans-wary-crediting-obama-with-libya-victory.php?ref=fpa

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He had a role?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

“To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he’d be on Mount Rushmore by now.”

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

That's terrible. I give Obama all the credit for killing Muslims all over the world with no trials, no rights, no due process.

Obviously he thinks he can buy votes killing Muslims even if he cannot fix the economy.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Say what you will about Obama he got this one perfect.. Give him his due..

Cost was (relatively) low, Europeans did much of the heavy lifting, and we still have a seat at the table in the rebuilding process (Hilary already in the country) but are not committed to anything long term ... and the casualties were born mostly by the people fighting for their freedom.

Besides the people of Libya... Britain and France get most of the credit but so does Obama - they all played a part to make it happen.

[scandal 951]

“To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he’d be on Mount Rushmore by now.”

To be fair, these are not at all in the same category. The US actions regarding Bin Ladin and Awlaki were direct and deliberate and ordered from the top. The US role in Libya was far less direct and Obama's personal role even less so. He gets some credit but nowhere near the same as for the al Qaida dudes.

All the same, I'm glad Qaddafi is gone. One less a-hole polluting the world. I hope Assad is next.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Say what you will about Obama he got this one perfect.. Give him his due..

Cost was (relatively) low, Europeans did much of the heavy lifting, and we still have a seat at the table in the rebuilding process (Hilary already in the country) but are not committed to anything long term ... and the casualties were born mostly by the people fighting for their freedom.

Besides the people of Libya... Britain and France get most of the credit but so does Obama - they all played a part to make it happen.

Yep. Obama was the first prominent leader to publicly state that it was time for Qaddafi to go.

[slim 1,525]

I'm still not sure what we gain by this. What was our interest in Libya?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

No, but I'll offer $100 to first person to give me a BJ

Aren't you still married?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No, but I'll offer $100 to first person to give me a BJ

[mawilson 2,133]

Aren't you still married?

So?

[slim 1,525]

I remember getting ready to ship out for basic and my father said, "Son, you're a handsome young man, you have a good head on your shoulders, and you're a nice guy. You should never have to pay for it."

About a year later I came home from overseas and informed him "services" could be found for $20. "Son, that's a great deal. Don't pass that up."

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Yep. Obama was the first prominent leader to publicly state that it was time for Qaddafi to go.

Yep, this was his work. I give him credit.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yep, this was his work. I give him credit.

Glad to see you got a break from your little side job. How many Franklins have you made so far today?

[Danno 1,228]

“To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he’d be on Mount Rushmore by now.”

ONe heck of a 2-do list ...for a Peace Prize recipient.

(Has he given that money back?)