OBAMA GETTING SLAMMED BY BOTH PARTIES OVER LIBYA LA TIMES 3/25/11 http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-palin-libya-obama20110324,0,3679235.

.story There has been criticism over Obamas actions both from Democrats and Republicans, from anti-war liberals and from neo-isolationist conservatives. Lawmakers have complained they have been snubbed and their constitutional prerogatives usurped by the executive ordering military attacks as part of an international mission to protect civilians fighting to oust Moammar Kadafi.

OBAMA LOSING CREDIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP NOW BONJEAN 3/25 (http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/ron-bonjean/2011/03/25/obamas-americaflying-blind-on-libya-japan-and-the-budget Ron, head of Public Affairs Firm in DC) There is a feeling in the ether that America is flying blind. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that the strategy for our assault on Libya was put together on the fly. It seems like Obama was pressured down this path of action, instead of providing focused, decisive leadership to make a well-thought-out decision. At the same time, he flies Air Force One on a strangely timed goodwill tour of Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador that we could coin Operation Odd Dawn when American fighter pilots are risking their lives on Operation Odyssey Dawn, a mission without definition. All this is happening while Japan, the world's third largest economy, is facing the biggest international, humanitarian, and financial crisis since World War II. Lets not forget that slowly approaching its destination is the looming federal budget shutdown. No real negotiations have taken place since Congress adjourned, and both parties are complaining that the president is asleep like the air traffic controller at the Reagan National Airport control tower. Meanwhile, Republican and Democratic sides are struggling for guidance and may or may not figure it out before its too late. America requires a strategic flight plan that will provide a real sense of economic and national security. It didnt get one from the presidents State of the Union. It didnt get one from the administrations budget proposal. And it didnt get one regarding the crisis in Libya. Wasnt it strange that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was chosen to announce that NATO was assuming command? It seemed very presidential. The commander-in-chief is desperately needed to be at the controls and operating an effective government. President Obama doesnt understand that perception is reality. He must be that strong pilot who will calmly reassure passengers as America is flying through severe turbulence. Thats why President Bush and his administration received the blame for aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, because there was a feeling he was not in control. The crises and strange events unfolding before us on a global scale are giving many of us that same feeling of helplessness. I have convinced my husband to sell the damn plane, McCaskill told re-

porters on a conference call Monday afternoon. I will not be setting foot on the plane ever again. If President Obama doesnt step up and show real leadership soon, Americans may want to do the same thing in the voting booth come November of 2012.

Skfta Uniqueness/internal link DEMS ALREADY FIGHTING SKFTA GOP RESENTMENT WILL CRUSH THE DEAL WALL ST JOURNAL 3/16 http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110316-714432.html
A group of House Democrats said Wednesday they were seeking to rally opposition to the free trade agreement with South Korea, warning that it would cost jobs and open a back door to a flood of imports from China. Nine lawmakers, most part of the House Trade Working Group in favor of a more fair trade policy, held a press conference to try to educate fellow members of Congress and the public about parts of the deal they believe could hurt the U.S. economy. "One of things that we're doing is educating our colleagues on what this trade deal is about," said Rep. Mike Michaud (D., Maine), who heads the caucus. "There hasn't been much discussion among this administration because I think they really do want to keep it quiet." The effort to kill the deal comes at a time of growing divisions between the White House and Congress on the timing of submitting the South Korea pact and two other trade deals held over from the previous administration--with Colombia and Panama. The administration has begun technical discussions with lawmakers on the South Korea deal with the hopes to win a quick passage, while trying to work out remaining concerns about the other two agreements. However, Republicans have grown increasingly impatient about the lack of progress on the Colombia and Panama pacts, demanding that all three be sent up to Congress together. On Monday, 44 Republican senators tried to increase the pressure by signing a letter threatening to hold up any nominations for Commerce Secretary or any other trade posts until President Barack Obama submits all three trade deals. The move was backed by key Republicans on trade issues in the House--Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R., Mich.) and trade subcommittee head Kevin Brady (R., Texas)--who said all three have the votes to pass. Asked about the bipartisan show of support for the South Korea deal, Rep. Brad Sherman (D., Calif.) acknowledged at Wednesday's event that the effort to defeat the South Korea deal may fall short if reporting only covers votecounting. "If their articles are going to focus on horse-race questions--how many votes does this side have, who's going to get that presidential visit to vote--we may not prevail," he said.