Obama didn’t make a “gutsy call” but he didn’t cover his rear either

Obama didn’t make a “gutsy call” but he didn’t cover his rear either :: QandO

I agree that someone needs to be in operational control, but I would say they are focusing on two key bits: (1) "The approval is provided on the risk profile presented to the President. Any additional risks are to be brought back to the President for his consideration." Without knowing the extent of the briefing it i shard to know how restrictive that is (if at all). But it does seem to lay the groundwork for a "Nobody told me about that!" defense. Very Kennedy-esque, which would be any good Democrats ideal. (2) "The direction is to go in and get bin Laden and if he is not there, to get out." Was it a kill mission, or a 'capture if possible' mission? The general consensus seems to be "kill", so why not have the guts to say so? Or, if it is 'capture if possible', say that. Maybe it really is SOP to be this murky in describing Presidential directives. Finding parallels from ...

Full article: http://www.qando.net/?p=12926