The Republicans have accused President Obama as being weak, indecisive, and without military experience. However, on two occasions President Obama has demonstrated his determination, his dedication to planning, his trust in the capabilities of our military, and his patience.
The first time President Obama got involved in sending in the special forces was in April 2009. Here is an excerpt from a news story from PBS (4/13/09):
Richard Phillips, captain of the American-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama, was rescued when Navy sharpshooters on the U.S. destroyer Bainbridge killed the three pirates holding him hostage in small motorized lifeboat. Phillips had surrendered himself to the pirates last Wednesday, when the ship was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, in order to save his crew.
President Barack Obama authorized the use of force against the pirates Saturday if the captain's life was in imminent danger. After naval personnel observed a pirate pointing a gun at Phillips and obtained clear shots at all three, the order for force was given, according to news agency accounts. Special Forces then boarded the lifeboat, where they found Phillips tied up, but unharmed.....
Howard Fineman says it best at the Huffington Post:
...By calmly and meticulously overseeing the successful targeting of Osama bin Laden, President Barack Obama just proved himself -- vividly, in almost Biblical terms -- to be an effective commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the United States....
"This is a definitional moment for voters," said Democratic polltaker and strategist Geoffrey Garin. "There's no question that the Republicans will make a 'national security' run at the president in 2012," he said. "But the most tangible thing for voters will be that Obama got the central job done. A lot of people were involved in baking the cake, going back years, but the cake turned out well and voters will notice."
Republicans were muted, eager to praise everyone. But even former Vice President Dick Cheney acknowledged the facts, offering to "congratulate President Obama and members of his security team."....
As a candidate, Barack Obama said (10/07/08) the following:
YouTube (uploaded by ThinkProgress2)
President Obama kept his promise and did what George W. Bush couldn't do.
