Why is the president justifying the war to the left?

[jimlup]

His problem is the right and he doesn't seem to get that. I'm very disappointed.

Yeah, I know he'll be the only game in town in 2012 but this guy really doesn't get "it" as far as our perspective and what we hold is the political situation reality of our situation. Yeah Barrack, we get that action in Libya is necessary. We get that but the right-wing losers really don't and that is who you should be concerned about.

[Arkana]

1. Obama understands that he's never going to convince the people

who think he's Satan incarnate.

Better to try and convince the folks who are just on the fence.

[Kennah]

2. +10

[TomClash]

6. Correction

You mean the folks who put him in the Oval Office.

[jimlup]

7. Disagree...

He needs to set out his position so that he can forestall the shit storm that the republican non-patriots will hurl at him. Make no mistake, these people give not a shit about the country nor its future. And he doesn't get how much they are going to throw at him. I must say that the guy is striking me as either extremely naive or simply a servant of the elite and powerful who was able to appear to be something else back in '08 in order to get elected.

Sorry, this stays within the "family" but I really wish I would see more leadership from this guy. Seriously, leadership would be helpful here and that seems to be the one thing he doesn't do.

[Arkana]

10. Tell me, what speaks more for a leader's capabilities?

To charge in blindly with Americans at the helm, elbowing everyone else out of the way, throwing as many troops as we could find at Gaddafi, and then finding ourselves mired in another nationbuilding exercise that we suck at?

Or to wait until we get the support of everyone we possibly can--European allies, the Arab League, NATO, and the UN--go in as a united front, avoid the "boots on the ground" route and instead support the people fighting for independence from a sociopathic tyrant, and then withdraw quietly once they are able to depose him themselves?

Which is a greater measure of a leader? That he can use American military might as the all-powerful ARM OF THE LAW, or that he can unite a coalition of disparate nations toward a common goal (including some nations that have long histories of propping up psychos like Gaddafi)?

[polichick]

19. If he got that, he wouldn't keep adopting right-wing positions.

[killbotfactory]

3. He should just walk into the senate and start bitch-slapping people

Fuck this talkin' bullshit

[dionysus]

5. that reminds me of bernie mac in that chris rock movie where rock runs for president...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFaaVrqxqTc

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jimlup]

8. Not this "lefty"

Nor several others whom I've seen posts from.

[dionysus]

11. i never said you. look, there's threads up and down DU saying the libya situation is dead wrong or

unconstitutional. any many posts agreeing with kucinich last week or whatever that it may be impeachable.

therefore, maybe it's a good idea he explains himself to the left.

[jimlup]

12. But explaining why doesn't justify how

I guess folks still don't get that legal subtlety. I would be more than happy to make sure there is a full constitutional justification but that isn't my beef in this case. What Obama still doesn't get is that the left (at least the academic left and also the union left) isn't his adversary unless he makes it so and he is doing his very best to make it so.

[dionysus]

16. you didn't ask how, you asked why.

there's many people on the left that are upset. that's why.

[jimlup]

18. But the only important objection that the left can raise is "how"

So why the hell is he explaining "why" we get that. I agree with "why". I'm not on board with "how" and have told him so. Though obviously I know that he (they, the "administration") will not hear my voice at all.

[dionysus]

20. but you asked "why" not "how". i agree he should be explaining this to everyone.

[polmaven]

21. I don't know

if I would use the word "practically". As you noted, there are many here who absolutely agreed with lefty Dennis Kucinich when he said it IS an impeachable offense.

[DJ13]

9. No need to justify to his allies on the right

[RichGirl]

13. And if he was trying to justify to the right....

...youd be saying he should be convincing his base.

The constant criticism has gone over the top. I don't give it a thought anymore.

[jenmito]

14. Did you happen to see Kucinich on MSNBC just not? Well, HE'S "the left" that he's

talking to-and those that agree with him.

[dionysus]

15. thank you! apparently it needs to be spelled out!

[jenmito]

17. Yup...

and the best part is that Anthony Weiner was on with him ("on The Last Word") and he disagreed with Kucinich! It was great to watch.

[vaberella]

22. "His problem is the right..." How long have you been on DU?!

Not to mention he needs to justify it to me. Additionally, I'd like a reasonable explanation for anything. Lastly, I didn't know this was a war.

[jefferson_dem]

23. "Yeah Barrack..."

Uh huh... That right there says volumes.