RightChange: Would Would Reagan Do?, Libya

On April 14, 1986 at 7 p.m. President Ronald Reagan addressed the American people about the launching of U.S. missile strikes against Gaddafi in Libya from the oval office.  On March 19, 2011 at 4:07 p.m., President Obama addressed the American people about the U.S. missile strikes against Gaddafi in Libya from Brazil. President Obama has compared himself to Ronald Reagan before and during his Presidency- a comparison that has proven to be more of a contrast than anything else.

On April 5, 1986, Gaddafi ordered and facilitated the bombing of a nightclub in Germany that killed two and wounded 230 others including 50 American servicemen.  This terrorist act prompted the United States to take military action against Gaddafi. On April 14, 1986 Reagan consulted with Congress, authorized U.S. missile strikes against Libya at 7 p.m. and addressed the situation to the American public from the Oval Office two hours later at 9 p.m.:

“This afternoon we consulted with the leaders of Congress regarding what we were about to do and why. Tonight I salute the skill and professionalism of the men and women of our Armed Forces who carried out this mission. It's an honor to be your Commander in Chief.

We Americans are slow to anger. We always seek peaceful avenues before resorting to the use of force -- and we did. We tried quiet diplomacy, public condemnation, economic sanctions, and demonstrations of military force. None succeeded. Despite our repeated warnings, Qadhafi continued his reckless policy of intimidation, his relentless pursuit of terror.

He counted on America to be passive. He counted wrong. I warned that there should be no place on Earth where terrorists can rest and train and practice their deadly skills. I meant it. I said that we would act with others, if possible, and alone if necessary to ensure that terrorists have no sanctuary anywhere. Tonight, we have.  Thank you, and God bless you.”

Today, President Obama is faced with a similar situation, a tyrant leader who has a 42-year history of terrorizing Americans and a recent history of carrying out terrorist attacks against his own.  Obama spent over one month “exploring options” in Libya and ten days to even speak about it.  After those 10 days, Obama held a few random pressers where he spoke vaguely about what actions the U.S. would take.  On March 19^th, 2011 President Obama flew to Brazil to “promote exports.”  That same day at 11 a.m., he gave orders for the U.S. missile strikes in Libya.  At 11:54 a.m., he made this statement from Brazil with President Rouseff at Palacio do Planalto:

 “Yesterday, the international community demanded an immediate cease-fire in Libya, including an end to all attacks against civilians.  Today Secretary Clinton joined an international coalition of our European and Arab partners in Paris to discuss how we will enforce U.S. Security Council Resolution 1973. Our consensus was strong and our resolve is clear:  The people of Libya must be protected.  And in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians, our coalition is prepared to act, and act with urgency.”

In nowhere in that address from Brazil did President Obama announce his orders for the U.S. missile strikes.  He did announce the missile strikes at 4:07 p.m. in Brazil. This was his statement:

“Today I authorized the Armed Forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya in support of an international effort to protect Libyan civilians.  That action has now begun.”

Obama’s speech and leadership is quite different from that of Reagan’s.  President Reagan was not afraid to call Gaddafi an enemy of the United States.  He was not afraid to use U.S. forces to dethrone Gaddafi.  President Reagan was not afraid to be clear with the American public from the Oval Office.

Obama decided he will not be addressing the situation in Libya from the oval office.  Obama involved the United States without consulting Congress and without addressing Americans from the Oval office.  At a time of an uncertain economy and international unrest, Americans want to feel secure in their leader.  President Reagan gave Americans that security.

Please watch and enjoy the first episode of RightChange’s new series of web episodes, “What Would Reagan Do?”.

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