David Gergen's Blog, page 11

It's a national embarrassment

Sparring over GOP budget plan

Elon University Convocation

Obama's Billion Dollar Re-Election Bid

Gadhafi son: Butcher or closet democrat?

Did Obama persuade you on Libya?

Cambridge, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Now that the "commentariat" has had its say about President Barack Obama's speech Monday night on Libya, chewing over every phrase, the decisive American verdict about his address rests not in television studios but in homes across the country.And so, if I may, let me ask: What did you think?Three questions stand out:1. Do you believe that the president made a compelling case for military intervention by the U.S. and its coalition partners? Before the speech, a Pew survey found that a bare 47% thought the president had made the right decision in intervening, compared with 36% who disagreed. That was the lowest level of support in years for a president sending U.S. troops into harm's way.After the speech, there was a near-universal view among commentators that the president had indeed made a convincing argument on behalf of intervention. I was among those who believed so. But what about you, the people who count?2. Do you believe that the president was clear about his goals and what should come next in Libya? Before the speech, Pew showed that a strong majority -- 50% to 39% -- thought that Obama has not been clear about U.S. goals there. Afterward, the pundits were split on whether he answered the big question of where this goes.Obama explains Libya actionWitness: 'Utter carnage' in MisrataWho really controls Misrata?Sen. Durbin: No-fly zone is workingRELATED TOPICSBarack ObamaLibyaJohn F. KennedyMoammar GadhafiU.S. Armed ForcesI was among those who believe that he left enormous vagueness (e.g., the stated mission has been to defend citizens from Moammar Gadhafi's forces, but with a rebel force now on the offensive, should NATO give assistance? What do we do if there is a stalemate and Gadhafi clings to power? What happens, on the other hand, if there is an internal coup and Gadhafi is overthrown; will the U.S. be heavily engaged in nation building?). I did not think the president clearly answered those questions. But more important than what commentators thought -- what did you think?3. Did the president enunciate a new Obama doctrine about the uses of U.S. military power that you find appealing? As CNN's Wolf Blitzer said after the speech, we clearly heard Monday night the beginnings of an Obama doctrine -- the clearest enunciation he has provided so far of his views on the use of force.Some thought he was opening the door to the possible use of military force in other Middle Eastern nations that are shooting protesters (e.g., Syria, Bahrain, Yemen); I thought just the opposite, that the president was closing the door unless there was horrific violence and a number of other exceptional circumstances.To me, the speech laid out a vision of U.S. leadership that was much more limited, cautious and collaborative than we have had in recent presidents -- certainly a far cry from the muscularity of President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address that said we would pay any price, meet any burden in the defense of liberty.A half century ago, Americans rallied to JFK's call, but today, when Americans are weary of war and feeling broke, perhaps people will find his more cautious approach more appealing. Do you? How did you interpret his "doctrine" and what do you think of it?Give the president credit: His speech has advanced an important dialogue not only about Libya but about American leadership in the world. What did you think?

Libya No -Fly Zone Just The Beginning?

Is The President Leading?

http://onpoint.wbur.org/media-player?url=http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/03/22/is-the-pclick link to hear the audio from the radio show We look at President Obama's leadership — where it's strong and where it's not — in a tumultuous world.



Obama speaks at the La Moneda Cultural Center in Santiago, Chile, Monday. (AP)President Obama was out front, weeks ago, with his NCAA bracket picks, but he's been nuanced about the goal of the airstrikes in Libya.
And in recent weeks he's been very low-key on top national priorities like social security, the budget and energy policy.
Critics on the left and the right are wondering, where is the president? Where do his priorities really lie? Is it with winning the vote or leading the nation? Is this president foundering, or is her playing a very deft hand?
This hour On Point: The president's leadership in tough times.
- Bob OakesGuests:

Matt Yglesias, fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He blogs at the site ThinkProgress.
Reihan Salam, columnist for "The Daily" and policy advisor for "Economics 21."  His blog, for the National Review Online, is "The Agenda." .
David Gergen, senior political analyst for CNN and professor of public service at the Harvard Kennedy School and the director of its Center for Public Leadership. He has served as an adviser to Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Ford and Clinton.

The "Presidential Powers" debate

Obama's End Game In Libya