America: Go for it, Mr. President

Many pundits huffed that President Obama had the temerity to intervene in Libya without consulting the American people. Obama, the instinctive politician, wasn’t worried. Here’s why: A just released CNN poll indicates a whopping 70% of Americans support the no-fly zone strategy. 50% approve of Obama’s handling of the affair (those disapproving are mainly Republicans). 54% are down with blowing up Gaddafi’s ground troops directly. And the vast majority, 77%, think removing Gaddafi is an important U.S. foreign policy goal. Obama says no ground troops will be used in Libya. 70% of Americans think that’s the right call. Granted, this is just one poll. Still, it is remarkable that while most Americans are watching the Libya intervention peripherally, their basic instincts are better than a great many of those in the “knowledgeable” chattering class.