As ably diaried by the estimable angry marmot (Kossack animals FTW!), the GOP plans on using the tragedy in Benghazi to attack President Obama, because of course nothing says patriotism like second-guessing decisions in hindsight. Just like was wasn't done to Reagan over the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut. Hmmm.
Anyway, it appears that Obama and the Pentagon may be preparing a rather largish serving of Shut Your Despicable Mouths for the Republicans.
The American military’s top-secret Joint Special Operations Command is preparing detailed information that could be used to kill or capture some of the militants suspected in the attack last month in Libya that killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, senior military and counterterrorism officials said on Tuesday.
New York Times
Let me be clear: I do not accuse President Obama to the least degree of planning a "wag the dog" operation. This attack or attacks, if carried out, I believe will be in retaliation for the deaths of four Americans and aimed at those believed responsible.
Mr. Obama has a range of options available — including drone strikes, Special Operations raids like the one that killed Osama bin Laden; and joint missions with the Libyan authorities — but all carry substantial political, diplomatic and physical risks. Administration officials say no decisions have been made on any potential targets.
Yeah, I know. Drone strikes are not popular here. Without knowing where the baddies are, how certain we are that these particular folks are the baddies we're looking for, and how high our level of trust is with the Libyan authorities, I can't say what the right choice is.
I'm pretty certain, though, that President Obama is not going to run his mouth, and swagger, and say "Bring it on!". He's also not going to rush things. That is simply not his style.
Here's hoping that the eventual mission is 100% successful.
For giggles and grins - it would be delightful if the mission actually took place during the first debate, so that at the end of the debate President Obama could ask to make a brief announcement and deliver the news right into Mitt Romney's smirk.