Caryn Freeman 1:29PM EST
Now that the president is back in Washington he is facing a barrage of questions from Congress, the media and think tanks all over Washington about the mission in Libya and its outcome. The US has already spent millions of dollars in just over a week on sorties and missile defenses in the war torn country. The president may have overzealously taken on the thrown as defender of global democracy while ignoring his first and primary duty, handling domestic affairs first. Many people both in and outside the Beltway are confused by the president’s actions after a week of vague statements from the White House. Congress wants answers and the administration after having days to prepare should have some.
House speaker John Boehner was incensed last week after being briefed on the mission by the President's aide rather that by the President himself. Some are calling the president's actions impetuous aggravating an already volatile Republican leadership and some House and Senate Democrats as well. “I and many other members of the House of Representatives are troubled that U.S. military resources were committed to war without clearly defining for the American people, the Congress, and our troops what the mission in Libya is and what America’s role is in achieving that mission,” Boehner wrote in a letter to the President this week.
Both republicans and democrats were doing what they could to avoid a government shut down while in the midst of the contentious budget battle but members of Congress feeling snubbed by the President may now let the chips fall where they may on the issue, leaving the President vulnerable and appearing as though he has no ability to lead with a clear mission in a time of crisis.
The Treasury Departments analysis the national debt reveals the debt hit $14.3 trillion reaching the debt ceiling sometime between April 15 and May 31. Senate Republicans have warned that Republican senators would not vote to increase the federal debt limit unless Obama agreed to significant long-term budget savings. Although the president may be seen has a warrior for Democracy around the world. Here at home his lack of communication with Congressional leaders and inability to resolve the budget leaves him vulnerable to critics from all sides.