Obama’s speech included these three sentences, and it is revealing that no one within the White House found them contradictory:
“I made it clear that Gaddafi had lost the confidence of his people and the legitimacy to lead, and I said that he needed to step down from power.”
“Broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake.”
“We will deny the regime arms, cut off its supply of cash, assist the opposition, and work with other nations to hasten the day when Gaddafi leaves power.”
He must step down. We are working to drive him from power. But we are not pursuing regime change.
Present!