Obama does impression of GHW Bush

[DrLeftover]

10 Sept
...

For those who could close their eyes for a moment during the president’s 15-minute speech, the arguments Mr. Obama made for American interventionism sounded much like those offered by the first of the four presidents to announce military action in Iraq, George Herbert Walker Bush.

Bush 41, as he is known today, told the world in 1991 that America would lead a coalition of the willing to beat back Saddam’s invasion of neighboring Kuwait.

Mr. Obama on Wednesday night nearly echoed that line. “Tonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat,” he declared.

The first President Bush explained to the world why the U.S. could no longer wait to take action in Iraq, cited unchecked brutality.

“Saddam Hussein systematically raped, pillaged and plundered a tiny nation, no threat to his own. He subjected the people of Kuwait to unspeakable atrocities —and among those maimed and murdered, innocent children.”

Mr. Obama cited similar atrocities in explaining why new action was needed in a country just a few short years ago he gleefully withdrew Americans troop from.

“In a region that has known so much bloodshed, these terrorists are unique in their brutality. They execute captured prisoners. They kill children. They enslave, rape and force women into marriage. They threatened a religious minority with genocide. And in acts of barbarism, they took the lives of two American journalists — Jim Foley and Steven Sotloff,” the president said.

The elder Mr. Bush sought Congress’ blessing and said he would act in accordance with United Nations precepts. Mr. Obama did the same.

And Mr. Obama, like Bush 41, described a military mission that would share its risk with multiple partners and be limited in objectives.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/10/chastened-obama-sounds-awful-lot-earlier-bush/