Vic Hanson on the new war

When the mission in Libya and its methods are not clearly stated and the leadership role of the U.S. is not defined, then the ambiguities and paradoxes simply mount. Victor is writing in the National Review

Let's read the article and see if he mentions that the Weekly Standard idiot, Billy Kristol, started this mess. Victor decides:

Instead, we ignore congressional approval, broadcast to our enemies all sorts of self-imposed limitations on our use of force, have not defined the mission as the removal of Qaddafi, on day three are promising less rather than more military force, have no clue what is to replace him, and seem uncomfortable with a leadership role that would define victory and take the necessary measures to achieve it.

Answer? Lieberman, Hillary, Billy Kristol and a mediocre law teacher from Tennessee are a bunch of idiots, and Obama may just now be figuring that out; our presidents are a little slow here in America.

The point is, we went galavanting off to war because Hillary fears looking weak with respect to Kristol. Believe me, after this fiasco, my Dead Dog looks smarter than Billy.

What does Hillary say?

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday beat President Obama to the punch on Libya -- again.

Hours before Obama called a press conference on the US response to the crisis, Clinton publicly drew a line in the sand for Libyan madman Moammar Khadafy.

"The final result of any negotiation would have to be the decision by Col. Khadafy to leave," demanded Clinton, who threatened military action as US warships moved within striking distance of Tripoli.

Hillary is the electorate for Africa. Sound Keynesian?  Read Arthur Herman at the NY Post:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says our goal is to topple the Libyan dictator. Others at the United Nations and in the Arab League don't seem so sure. Until they make up their minds, expect Khadafy to play an elaborate cat-and-mouse game with our jets even after his air force and air-defense systems are destroyed.

No regime since World War II has been toppled by air power alone, without the use of troops. Even then, it took both Hiroshima and Nagasaki to get Japan to consider surrender. As for targeting Khadafy himself, hopes during Iraqi Freedom that slamming Saddam with a bunker-busting strike might decapitate the regime proved false. Count on Khadafy's shelters being at least as deep.

Fourth, an American ground presence in Libya is inevitable, despite Obama's assurances otherwise. It's going to prove impossible to maintain any cease-fire or protect rebel-held areas from the air alone. Just keeping track of who's friend and who's foe will require Tactical Air Control personnel on the ground as well as Special Forces. And no humanitarian-aid mission will be safe unless it's accompanied by US, British or French troops.

When the time comes to remove Khadafy from power, expect at least a brigade-size force of American boots on the ground to help out. When they will come home will be anyone's guess.

Hillary got us into a mess because her DC Delusion means looking strong for Europe.