UNBELIEVABLE, JUST UNBELIEVABLE – AT 10:19 P.M. ET:  The weakness and confusion of this president have now become the stuff of jokes and international ridicule.  Just a few weeks ago he was saying that the leader of Libya had to go.  Now, even though we have committed our forces to battle against that very leader, he sings a different, weaker tune.  From The Politico:

President Obama indicated on Tuesday that Muammar Qadhafi may still have an opportunity to “change his approach” and put in place “significant reforms” in the Libyan government.

Asked by NBC’s Savannah Guthrie what the U.S. commitment is in Libya if Qadhafi remains in power but continues to pose a threat to his people, Obama appeared to leave the door open for political reforms.

“You are absolutely right that as long as Qadhafi remains in power, and unless he changes his approach and there are significant reforms in the Libyan government that allow the Libyan people to express themselves, there are still going be potential threats against Libyan people—unless he is going to step down,” Obama said.

His quick shift back to what he had earlier stated—that Qadhafi must step down—is more in line with the conclusion that he and his administration officials had come to weeks ago. But a return to the call for “political reforms” is reminiscent of the White House position on Egypt during its upheaval.

COMMENT:  Translated into English, no one actually understands what Obama is saying.  He makes George W. Bush look like a model of clarity. 

We wonder whether Obama is getting international pressure to go easy on Qadhafi.  Qadhafi has allies, among them, disgracefully enough, Nelson Mandela.  (Although knowing Mandela's real beliefs, that may not be so shocking.  And remember that Qadhafi, a participant in oil deals and the deal for the despicable release of the Lockerbie bomber, knows much.  There may be people around the world who may fear what he might reveal if he were forced from power.

Qadhafi made his first TV appearance in a week today, and vowed defiance.  There are some reports circulating that he's trying to negotiate an exit from Libya, but they have not been confirmed.  Today he didn't sound like a man contemplating defeat. 

March 22, 2011