The text of Barack Obama's speech tonight explaining American military action in Libya is available on Wall Street Journal's website. If you missed the live presentation, please review the text and point out the answers to the following questions:
- How will U.S. remove Qaddafi from power in Libya?
- Who are the rebels, who are the forces we're trying to remove from power?
- How will we know when we've succeeded?
- Why didn't Obama get Congressional approval before U.N. approval?
- Will we follow this pattern in the future in other Mideastern countries undergoing regime unrest?
Below are responses of top Republicans to Obama's speech:
United States Senator Mark Kirk: Tonight's speech was a good first step toward outlining the U.S. Libyan war. Starting tomorrow, the President should follow the Powell Doctrine by naming the allied commander, the mission's expected cost, his exit plan and his request for a congressional resolution approving the effort. These next steps would help Americans return home victorious.
Congressman Peter Roskam: “Even though it comes nine days after our military became engaged in Libya, I am pleased President Obama took the opportunity to address the country tonight. Unfortunately many questions still remain. Even with a nationally-televised, widely-promoted speech, Americans still don't have the answer to a basic and essential question: what is the benchmark for success in Libya?”
