Gingrich Not Alone In No-fly Zone Contradiction
EmailABC News’ Jonathan Karl and Z. Byron Wolf report:
Newt Gingrich isn’t the only Republican to oppose President Obama’s decision to involve American forces in the no-fly zone after first criticizing the President for not imposing a no-fly zone.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., endorsed a no-fly zone in a Feb. 26th press release when she said “stronger penalties must be imposed in order to hold the regime accountable for its heinous crimes, and to prevent further violence against the Libyan people. Additional U.S. and international measures should include the establishment and enforcement of a no-fly zone…”
But after the President imposed the no-fly zone, on March 20th, Ros-Lehtinen had concerns which she expressed in a new press release.
“I am concerned that the President has yet to clearly define for the American people what vital United States security interests he believes are currently at stake in Libya,” she said.
Ros-Lehtinen is not alone. Here is what House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon, R-Calif., told the AP on March 9 of President Obama:
“He's doing a great job of doing nothing on Libya.”
But after President Obama clearly did something, McKeon said this in a March 20th press release:
“I am concerned that the use of military force in the absence of clear political objectives for our country risks entrenching the United States in a humanitarian mission whose scope and duration are not known at this point and cannot be controlled by us.”
On March 21, after military action began, Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., accused the President of committing U.S. forces “to the conflict in Libya without any consultation or consent from Congress and without clearly stating to the American people the compelling U.S. national interest…”
But she made the case herself back on Feb. 22 in a press release.
“The United States Must Support These Brave Men and Women Who are Seeking to Throw Off the Shackles of Tyranny in Libya.” “The unrest in Libya is another sign that our nation must take action to protect our vital national interests and support the efforts of those who are seeking freedom across the globe,” she said then.
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What some Repubs won’t say to garner political points!
Do they honestly forget how easy it is with the internet to find their words from months ago on the same topic?
Posted by: Lydia | March 24, 2011, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
Can you say flip-flop? Sure you can.
Posted by: Bob | March 24, 2011, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Flip Flop On Fly……Sometimes politicos are too smart for their own good.. :O)
Posted by: Sam | March 24, 2011, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
It’s truly mind-boggling how many things the Republicans support UNTIL the President supports them, then suddenly flip-flop 180 degrees and condemn them. Hmmmm. I wonder what would happen if Obama supported cutting taxes for the wealthiest 2%, and giving Big Oil billions of dollars in tax breaks every year………
Posted by: Searambler | March 24, 2011, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Lydia | Mar 24, 2011 12:30:44 PM
Pelosi even stated Obama acted “outside” of his Presidential powers. But you go ahead and keep on ranting on the GOP.
Posted by: lfrichar | March 24, 2011, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
This gives you the clue for why Jesus liked to associate with the tax collectors, publicans and “sinners” why he abhorred the religious right of the day–the Pharisees and the Saducees! Jesus does not like Hypocrites!
Posted by: Zazu | March 24, 2011, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
LFRICHAR,
You make the point that at least the Democrats are consistent even though I don’t agree with her close associate. By the way Pelosi didn’t say that.
Posted by: Zazu | March 24, 2011, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Obama needs to a get a congressional resolution like Bush did for Iraq – then John Kerry could vote for it and against it – now that is flip flop
Posted by: jamescbuilder | March 24, 2011, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
what a dolt!! that’s our Newt!!! I love you! i Marry you! I don’t Love you!! I’m gonna marry my girlfriend!!! I love my new wife!!! I cheat on my new wife!!! Now I love my newer wife!!! yep, just the guy to be president…
Posted by: natFrankie | March 24, 2011, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Politicians think voters are “dumb.”
Posted by: Kenneth the VI of Minneapolis | March 24, 2011, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
So… the next question to ask of these politicians is their explanations for these conflicts.
Posted by: Mytakeonthis61 | March 24, 2011, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Even Obama himself disagrees… um.. with himself… sort of…. CHECK THESE QUOTES!! — LOL—– Then-Senator Obama on Dec 20, 2007: “The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
Obamas a great politician, but he needs to be less aloof and put these guys in their place. He effectively killed Romney’s presidential hopes by saying how much he was inspired by Romneycare. He should go after all the hawks who were crying for a no fly zone weeks ago.
Posted by: tcollins | March 24, 2011, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Joe Biden said “The President has no Constitutional authority to take this nation to war… unless we are attacked or there is proof we are about to be attacked. And if he does, I would move to impeach him.” —— But of course he was talking about Bush on the show “Hardball”, December 4, 2007!! —- JUST TOO FUNNY!!!!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
lfrichar, you need to read more carefully. Pelosi’s ‘confidants’ opinion is not Pelosi’s opinion. The confidant is a Dem. Rep. from California, not Pelosi herself.
Posted by: Lydia | March 24, 2011, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
natFrankie — OK, but did Gingrich ever “love” an intern with a cigar… and leave evidence on a blue dress?? — But somehow the left fawned all over their beloved leader… It was a “private matter” back then, huh?!?!?!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
“…He effectively killed Romney’s presidential hopes by saying how much he was inspired by Romneycare…”
HE SURE DID!!! It just shows you how smart and savvy the President is!!! Romney has been trying to overcome it since the President said it!
Posted by: Mytakeonthis61 | March 24, 2011, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Nothing surprising on their part. These actions are consistent with their prioritizing politics over principles. It doesn’t matter what they really think or believe should be done. They take their marching orders (or the reverse) from President Obama. If President Obama is for something they they are against it,pure and simple.
Posted by: Thomas | March 24, 2011, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
1. Is this story NEWS or COMMENTARY? Does anyone care about this distinction?
2. It’s no contradiction to believe that:
a) a no fly zone is a good idea and
b) the president needs to do a better job of defining our objectives in Libya.
3. Has ABC EVER done a story highlighting Democrat contradictions and flip-flops? Ask ABC Corporate to see their policy about fairness sometime.
Posted by: 4civility | March 24, 2011, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
The Obama administration are not even brave enough to call this action what is really is….. Is the fighting in Libya a war? —- Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes took a crack at an answer….. “I think what we are doing is enforcing a resolution that has a very clear set of goals, which is protecting the Libyan people, averting a humanitarian crisis, and setting up a no-fly zone,” Rhodes said. “Obviously that involves KINETIC military action, particularly on the front end.” (my emphasis) —— SO WHAT IS KENETIC MILITARY ACTION??? —– (but we can’t call it a war… hmmm)
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
July 15, 2008
And just as we renew longstanding efforts, so must we shape new ones to meet new challenges. That’s why I’ll create a Shared Security Partnership Program – a new alliance of nations to strengthen cooperative efforts to take down global terrorist networks, while standing up against torture and brutality. That’s why we’ll work with the African Union to enhance its ability to keep the peace. That’s why we’ll build a new partnership to roll back the trafficking of drugs, and guns, and gangs in the Americas. That’s what we can do if we are ready to engage the world.
We will have to provide meaningful resources to meet critical priorities. I know development assistance is not the most popular program, but as President, I will make the case to the American people that it can be our best investment in increasing the common security of the entire world. That was true with the Marshall Plan, and that must be true today. That’s why I’ll double our foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012, and use it to support a stable future in failing states, and sustainable growth in Africa; to halve global poverty and to roll back disease. To send once more a message to those yearning faces beyond our shores that says, “You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now.” – Barack Obama
Boy, that Shared Security Partnership Program and working with the African Union has REALLY helped reduce the murder and corruption and war in the middle east. I’m so glad Obama put all these things into place. Oh, wait a minute, no he didn’t. Is that considered a flip-flop?
Posted by: Shoe | March 24, 2011, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
The way I see it, many wanted Obama to do something, but they supposed he would follow the letter of the law.
Now, it turns out that he violated the War Powers Resolution, which has some democrats and republicans upset.
If he had time to discuss the situation with the UN, he had time to discuss it with the nation he’s supposed to represent.
There’s really no excuse for Obama’s lapse of judgment in this one.
Posted by: Angie | March 24, 2011, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
President Obama defended his Nobel Peace Prize on Tuesday, saying that Americans “don’t see any contradiction” in him ordering an attack on Libya……… LOL!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Wednesday Obama replied that it was “absolutely” out of the question that ground troops would be inserted into Libya. —– Then how would the president describe the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2,200 men, on their way to ships off Libya right now??
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Where were the republicans when we went into Iraq and Afghanistan for false reasons?
Posted by: casandra | March 24, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Shoe, are you serious when you said the following? “Boy, that Shared Security Partnership Program and working with the African Union has REALLY helped reduce the murder and corruption and war in the middle east.”
The problems in Libya and in other mid-east countries stem from their people desiring freedom. Your statement makes it seem like war is breaking out between countries of the mid-east rather than the people fighting for their freedom from tyrannical dictators! Sheesh. I don’t understand far rights’ minds. I’ve never been one to compare apples and oranges even under the stress of having a President that wasn’t my choice, as it was for 8 loooong years.
Posted by: Lydia | March 24, 2011, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Casandra —– The Senate voted 77-23 to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq… the House approved an identical resolution, 296-133… So where was Obama’s authority?… ALSO… 1) what is the Obama Administration’s goal?… even Obama says “regime change” one day… then “just protect the people” the next day……. 2) why did Obama wait until thousands died and the rebels were beaten back?? He said after a week that Gadhafi must go… but made no move toward that… If he had shown more support for the rebels then, maybe more Libyans would have gotten involved and we wouldn’t be there now!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | March 24, 2011, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Newt was forgainst it.
Posted by: Rick | March 24, 2011, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
Just exactly at what point do you people realize the Gringrich is as 2 faced as they come……Led the vote to impeach Clinton for his little extra marital fling all the while doing the exact same thing himself, cries that Obama needs to implement a no fly zone in Lybia and then flip flop when he does……the only thing that is more sorry than this guy is the people who are supposed to act like they know what to do with the brain god gave them that support this goofball. When it comes down to it they are the “real” scary ones ………
Posted by: anthony | March 24, 2011, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Zazu | Mar 24, 2011 12:57:49 PM
OK, her TOP CONGRESSIONAL confidant said it. Geez, you’re always so argumentative. Several Democrats have spoken out about the actions.
Posted by: lfrichar | March 24, 2011, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Zazu | Mar 24, 2011 12:57:49 PM
We also need to remember past words from Biden and Obama, but those are too embarrassing to bring up at this point.
Posted by: lfrichar | March 24, 2011, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Most of these people are going to bash what Obama does, regardless, and this just proves it. I’ll bet if he decided to repeal health care reform, they’d say he was taking health care away from Americans…. hey, maybe we’re onto something here….
Posted by: Jay | March 24, 2011, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
If Libya is a war, then so were kosovo, bosnia, panama, somalia, grenada, first bombing of libya, shall I go on? If congress wants to stop the military action they can, which is why the courts did not allow Republicans to sue Clinton on the same grounds that some in congress are now arguing. But a majority of the American people for now support action in Libya, so clearly it is in their political interests to allow it to continue while whining as loudly as they can.
Posted by: tcollins | March 24, 2011, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Lol…I believe obama did everything right…Plus he didnt tell a huge lie to start this war like the replubs and the last president..umm…FOOD FOR THOUGHT..
Posted by: aaron sanders | March 24, 2011, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
I love the way this is casted by the media. BIG CONTRADICITON.. yet is it really? Republicans for the most part supported a NO-FLY ZONE and called for one almost immediately.. However this is NOT a NO-FLY ZONE as the media has titled it.. A NO-FLY ZONE denotes the presence of forces who defend a section of air-space to prevent combatants from utilizing it while engaging in hostile actions…in other words. Preventing Qadaffi from flying his planes over his own airspace in order to carry out strikes against his own people.. A NO-FLY ZONE DOES NOT ENTAIL taking direct offensive action in the form of missile strikes against the Libyan forces.. Therefore THIS IS NOT A NO FLY ZONE..its a military action. So it follows that one can support a no fly zone, yet question the current actions WITHOUT being contradictive..
But then the liberal media would not have any mud to sling against conservatives would they?
Posted by: arkie vet | March 24, 2011, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Everybody on the right are just criticizing the left, but with no real explanation of why they’re being hypocrites. The questions is: Why is Gingrich and other Repubs flip-floppin’about the no-fly zone in Libya? Can anybody on the right think of a descent answer for that question?
Posted by: justayreal74 | March 24, 2011, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
Lfrichar: Give it a rest; you are always complaining about everything Obama does? Who do you want for president? Obama has done more in the last two years than GWB did in 8 years. You must be rich because you are always supporting the hypocritical republicans. The republicans are really helping Obama because after they are done union busting, out-sourcing jobs, giving corporate America undeserved tax breaks, laying off teachers, firemen, policemen, limiting women’s rights, fighting unemployment checks, and just outright being mean and uncaring, Obama will waltz into his second term and you’ll still be on this blog complaining about him. Get over yourself, do you really disagree with Obama that much or do you just don’t like the color of his skin. Yeah, I said it, because that’s the way it’s looking because you and cry baby Boehner complain about every darn thing the man does, oh, but you loved GWB. You may have voted for Kerry but you loved GWB!
Posted by: martin | March 24, 2011, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Thomas, you’re spot on. This is just the MSM getting their narrative to defend Obama; it’s pathetic.
Posted by: I M Ryte | March 24, 2011, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
I M RYTE: You’ve never been so wrong, quit watching FOX News or you will forever be ignorant! The republican party does not care about you, unless you are rich, just get sick or lose your job or get in an otherwise bind, you’ll see how much the republican party will do for you! You’ll then be hollering for government intervention just like everybody else.
Posted by: martin | March 24, 2011, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
BREAKING! Politicians are unprincipled idealogues.
Posted by: Verbal Hooligan | March 24, 2011, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm
Perhaps the reason Obama continues to perpetuate the phrase, “Let me make myself clear” is that he himself isn’t clear of his objectives most of the time?
Posted by: sybase46 | March 25, 2011, 6:08 am 6:08 am
LOL!…. my opinion…
republicans = “Losers” (yes, with the “Big L”)
LOL!
Posted by: J. Welsh | March 25, 2011, 8:43 am 8:43 am
“Obama clearly did something…” is hilarious when the context is examined. The narcissist-in-chief was outplayed by three girls who did an end-run around his adamant holding his breath and voting “present” whenever a decision came before him He has a total fool as an NSC advisor, the oafish moron Donilon, and his DNI Clapper should have been s-canned six months ago.
When is the Note going to get off its agitprop policy of attacking the GOP and actually hold Obama accountable for ruining the economy with a $14 trillion deficit and conducting a foreign policy like a sandbox warrior?
Posted by: daveinboca | March 25, 2011, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Maybe it is me, but there is quite a difference between endorsing a “No-Fly Zone” at the time when the Gaddafi forces are just starting to use force, and it is already reported that as many as 2000 Libyan Civilians may be dead, then the position on a No-Fly Zone a month later, when most of the Protesters momentum has been reversed by Gaddafi forces that had uncontested action for a month.
I supported the No Fly Zone when the idea was first brought up, when it could have made a decisive difference. Obama, the UN, and others dithered for over a month, while Gaddafi forces advanced.
Now, it is too late. The No Fly Zone has little impact when the Gaddafi forces are relying on Tanks and Ground troops, which the No Fly Zone doesn’t even address.
Is it a Flip-Flop when time is wasted and the benefits of a No Fly Zone are reduced?
Posted by: Jason - Atlanta, GA | March 25, 2011, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
When the republicans continue to do an about face on their statements …don’t they think they will get caught? With t.v., reporters, the internet…it is bound to be found out. They just don’t care..there are enough lemmings out there who follow anything bad about Obama and that is all they see. The trouble about bashing the same person over and over is you loose your edge. After awhile people ignore what you say because you always say something negative so it no longer has value. If you were smart..you would pick and choose what you intend to bash and maybe some will listen. In this case, whatever our president does…republicans say it is bad..so it is like the boy who cried wolf…after awhile people ignore you and that is just what is happening. Many good columnists and reporters are already saying this openly. This cannot and will not bode well for you republicans. Especially with all the funny stuff you are pulling, taking away women’s rights, union rights and even taking away food coupons for anyone in a family who pickets…their children will not get the food stamps even if they are out of a job. That is low..really low…children???? I thought Walker hit the bottom of the barrell but he has many cohorts out there doing worse. What exactly do you stand for republicans….tax breaks for the wealthy and making the teachers and firemen and garbage men take the load of your budge crisis…that is what you stand for? If you have a budget crisis..how can you give out 117 mil in tax breaks to corporations if you really don’t have the money?? Could you explain this to me?
Posted by: talmag | March 25, 2011, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
As for this recent military action against Gadofi….President Obama said that this was a short involvement and that in days he would turn it over for someone else to lead. In fact, he just did that after only 6 days. He kept his word….and he did not stand on a ship and say “success” he calmly went back to business. Unlike Bush who said we won and after 8 years and many more deaths…we still are trying to get us out of what Bush got us into…without paying for it. We won nothing…we are still in that war..thank you Bush.
Posted by: talmag | March 25, 2011, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
These folks don’t care if there’s a contradiction: they’re well aware that some people want to hear all possible complaints about Obama, even if they don’t make sense.
Americans are so polarized and fickle it will be a wonder if we have a democracy much longer.
Posted by: The_Mick | March 25, 2011, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
“The_Mick”…LOL…you forgot one other key ingredient (besides polarized and fickle)…SHALLOW!. LOL…LOL But I hate to admit it but I agree with you.
Posted by: CND FOX | March 25, 2011, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm
Former Speaker Ginrich will say anything, and often does.
Part of the problem with the politics of the Libya air war, was stated by Winston Churchill (who should know), “The only thing worse than having allies, is having no allies.”
Posted by: John Fenner | March 25, 2011, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm