Old WH Twitter Posts: US Glad to take "Unilateral" Action in Libya, "Gaddafi Must Leave"

At first, President Obama was silent on the rebellion in Libya.  In a wave of protests and revolts against authoritarian rulers in the region, it appeared that the President did not know quite what to say.  Eventually, however, Mr. Obama found the ability to talk a good game.

By late February, the President had come out against Gaddafi.  However, it was much different from what the President is saying today.  If you've watched or listened to the President in the last few weeks, he has been heavily touting his internationalism, his wish to always run things by the UN before he acts, and his statements that Gaddafi may stay in power.

For example, on February 25, the White House tweeted:

Gasp!  The United States taking unilateral sanctions!  How dare we?  I could have sworn the President said this on Monday night:

[W]e should not be afraid to act - but the burden of action should not be America's alone. As we have in Libya, our task is instead to mobilize the international community for collective action. Because contrary to the claims of some, American leadership is not simply a matter of going it alone and bearing all of the burden ourselves.

Well, at least I'm sure that the President didn't contradict his statements on whether Gaddafi could stay, right?  I'm sure that the White House didn't come out and unequivocally say that the dictator must go, and then completely change their mantra, right?  Right?

Nope:

Well, on the bright side, President Obama promised to send a clear message.

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