President Obama, with far fewer cards to play than he had with U.S. ally Egypt, was cautious late today when he called on Moammar Gadhafi to end the violence against civilians.
"The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters and further punish the people of Libya," Obama said in his first public remarks since the turmoil erupted in Libya.
"These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop," he added, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at his side.
Obama never mentioned Gadhafi by name, but that is just politics.
The U.S. to this point has watered down its reaction to the killing in Libya for fear that the unpredictable Gadhafi might take revenge on Americans still in his country.
"We are doing everything we can to protect American citizens. That is my highest priority. In Libya, we've urged our people to leave the country and the State Department is assisting those in need of support," Obama said after meeting privately with Clinton.
Domestically, Obama has more to fear than just aggression against U.S. citizens, like the rising cost of gas, a volatile stock market and an unemployment rate that is choking off the middle class from reaching the fading American dream.
In other words, Obama and his brain trust are just as concerned with re-election next year at this point.
"The suffering and bloodshed is outrageous and it is unacceptable. So are threats and orders to shoot peaceful protesters and further punish the people of Libya," Obama said in his first public remarks since the turmoil erupted in Libya.
"These actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. This violence must stop," he added, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at his side.
Obama never mentioned Gadhafi by name, but that is just politics.
The U.S. to this point has watered down its reaction to the killing in Libya for fear that the unpredictable Gadhafi might take revenge on Americans still in his country.
"We are doing everything we can to protect American citizens. That is my highest priority. In Libya, we've urged our people to leave the country and the State Department is assisting those in need of support," Obama said after meeting privately with Clinton.
Domestically, Obama has more to fear than just aggression against U.S. citizens, like the rising cost of gas, a volatile stock market and an unemployment rate that is choking off the middle class from reaching the fading American dream.
In other words, Obama and his brain trust are just as concerned with re-election next year at this point.
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