March 25, 2011
Politico is reporting that President Obama has declined to give a major address about our military involvement in Libya because he does not want to invite comparisons with our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This misunderstands the nature of presidential leadership. If he does not want people to compare Libya with Iraq, he should explain how they are different. What he cannot do is fail to explain to the American people why he is putting the men and women of our Armed Forces in harm's way.
Being President entails many tough calls. The decision to get involved in Libya was one such tough call. Explaining to the American people what we are doing and why is not a tough call. It is his job.
