President Obama defended U.S. military action in Libya during an address to the nation last night. The President explained that the U.S. intervened in Libya, “to prevent a slaughter of civilians that would have stained the world's conscience and 'been a betrayal of who we are' as Americans,” the Associated Press reports.
The AP noted that the President, “ruled out targeting Moammar Gadhafi, calling that a mistake that would be as costly as the war in Iraq. Obama announced that NATO would take command over the entire Libya operation on Wednesday, keeping his pledge to get the U.S. out of the lead fast. He offered no estimate on when the conflict might end and no details about its costs.”
Reactions and analysis of the President's address came out quickly:
- The Washington Post: Obama vigorously defends Libya intervention
- NPR: Unyielding President leaves some unswayed
- The Wall Street Journal: Opinion: Obama, Libya, and the GOP
- Politico: Analysis: Obama's BAM! ZAP! and POW
- The New York Times: Editorial: President Obama on Libya
- The Washington Times: Editorial: The President's Speech
- The Associated Press: Fact Check: How Obama's Libya claims fit the facts
