On Libya and Budget, Obama Votes ‘Present’

[Geee]

National Review:

In the Illinois legislature, state senator Barack Obama voted “present” 129 times. Today, he seems to be voting present on two major issues — Libya and the budget.

National Security Adviser Tom Donilon told reporters Thursday that the United States and other nations have “taken a range of steps . . . to squeeze (Moammar) Qaddafi, isolate him, really turn him into a pariah.”

But the steps the United States has taken may well have bolstered Qaddafi’s determination to crush the rebellion against his regime.
On the one hand, we supported the United Nations resolution giving the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to prosecute Qaddafi and his minions. That means we have blocked off any escape route to a safe retirement.

On the other hand, we have interpreted the Security Council resolution ordering an arms embargo as applying to the Libyan rebels as well as the Qaddafi regime.

Or at least that was the interpretation of P. J. Crowley, who was the State Department spokesman until he resigned yesterday. An anonymous White House source said maybe the resolution doesn’t apply to the rebels.

The White House has said the U.S. will send aid to the rebels and that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with their transitional council next week.

Aid, not arms; a meeting, but (unlike France and Portugal) no official recognition. The president seems to be voting “present” once again.

[AceRimmer]

Why make tough decisions when you can play golf instead?