Washington Extra – Changing palette
Not so very long ago a no-fly zone over Libya seemed like an option on the outskirts of what the United States was considering in trying to pressure Muammar Gaddafi.
Since last night, apparently a no-fly zone might not be enough, and the United States is now pressing for air strikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery. What changed?
“It is not our feeling … that a no-fly zone is a snap-your-fingers, one-size-fits-all solution to a problem. And what we want is action on a variety of items that can improve the situation in Libya,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said, without agreeing with the premise that policy had shifted.
The hardening stance brought to mind the words from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper last week that “the regime will prevail” eventually because Libyan rebels were outgunned. Words the administration quickly distanced itself from at the time.
Gaddafi had words of his own, warning the rebel stronghold of Benghazi that he would show no mercy. “We will come zenga, zenga. House by house, room by room.”
Changing colors at the White House marked St. Patrick’s Day, with the fountain on the South Lawn flowing green. President Barack Obama promised to visit Ireland in May and see from whence his ancestors came. In the Oval Office it was his great (times five) grandfather, while at the Capitol it was his great (times three) grandfather — Oh well, tough to keep track…
Here are our top stories from Washington…
Obama celebrates Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day
President Barack Obama celebrated a small piece of his heritage this St. Patrick’s Day and announced he would visit Ireland, including the village of Moneygall, the homeland of his great-great-great-grandfather.
Or maybe it’s five ‘greats’, as he said in the Oval Office this morning? Either way, he’s confident he’s a little bit Irish.
“Two years into my presidency, some are still bent on peddling rumors about my origins. So today I want to put all those rumors to rest,” he joked at the Friends of Ireland luncheon that he attended at the Capitol with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny. ” It is true my great-great-great-grandfather really was from Ireland.”
“I can’t believe I have to keep pointing this out,” Obama said.
House Speaker John Boehner, Irish Ambassador to the United States Michael Collins and others joined the president and prime minister (or taoiseach) for crab salad and roast Angus beef.
Musicians played a medley of two Irish songs, “Mountain Lark” and “Tom Doherty’s Reel.”
Earlier in the day, in a joint appearance with Kenny in the Oval Office, Obama said the United States plans to work closely with Ireland as the nation recovers from its own financial crisis.
The First Draft: Hillary Clinton marginalized? If you have to ask…
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spent the weekend in Switzerland and Ireland, but landed on the morning talk shows on Monday, fending off questions about whether she has been marginalized in the Obama administration. It’s not considered a good sign when people start asking this question in Washington, because the implication is that the answer is “yes.”
Clinton had no comment when newscaster Ann Curry on NBC’s “Today” program asked whether she should be more visible on such hot-button issues as Iran and Afghanistan. But she responded fully when asked about concerns that the “highest-ranking woman in the United States needs to fight against being marginalized.”
“I find it absurd, I find it beyond any realistic assessment of what I’m doing every day,” Clinton said. “I believe in delegating power. I’m not one of those people who feels like I have to have my face in the front of the newspaper or on the TV every moment of the day. It would be irresponsible and negligent were I to say, ‘Oh no, everything must come to me!’”
She had a theory about why she’s comfortable working this way. “Maybe this is a woman’s thing. Maybe I’m totally secure in that I feel absolutely no need to go running around in order for people to see what I’m doing. It’s just the way I am.”
But aren’t there moments, she was asked, having campaigned so hard for president against Barack Obama, that you just want to make a decision yourself?
No. “I am part of the team that makes the decision.”
On another front, Clinton said flatly she would not run for president again. She said she’s looking forward to retirement “at some point.”
Don’t think for a minute that Hilary doesn’t have a set of Billy balls. She is powerful, crafy and Barrack, Billy and Hilary make quite the troyka. It will show up big time during this adminstration.
