SENATORS BLAST OBAMA OVER LIBYA – AT 10:26 A.M. ET:  One can only imagine how John McCain would have handled Libya.  We're getting an inkling today:

(CNN) - Two leading U.S. senators were both critical Sunday of President Barack Obama's delay in speaking out over the uprising in Libya.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Obama should "stand up for democracy" and noted that the British prime minister and French president were not hesitant to address the crisis.

True.  Once again some of the leading figures across the Atlantic are ahead of us. 

"America leads," McCain told CNN's "State of the Union" from Cairo. "They're looking to America for leadership, for assistance, for moral support and ratification of the sacrifices they've made in the defense of democracy. America should lead."

We used to lead, but no more.  Obama considers us just another nation, no more important than any other.  And I don't think he likes us too much.

Anti-government protests continued Sunday in Libya, where the nation's leader of more than 40 years, Moammar Gadhafi, clings to power in Tripoli after weeks of protests.

On the same program, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, in independent who caucuses with the Democrats and chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, said he understood why the administration initially hesitated in speaking out on the crisis in Libya due to concerns about the safety of U.S. citizens there.

"Frankly I wish we had spoken out much more clearly and early against the Gadhafi regime," Lieberman said, adding "the fact is now is the time for action, not just statements."

Obama is not an action guy.  Presidents have to know how to do things.  This president barely knows what to say, let alone what to do.  The press bears great blame here in selling this small-time Chicago politician to the American people.  Unlike Reagan, who played the big game, Obama plays the small one.

On Saturday, Obama said Gadhafi "has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement urging the Libyan leader to step down.

Take that, Gadhafi.  And, to paraphrase Groucho, if you're not scared by that statement, we'll issue another one.

February 27, 2011