It’s hard to imagine that there was any other reaction than full panic from White House staffers after President Obama uttered a fateful gaffe Thursday afternoon, “We don’t have a strategy yet.”
The line quickly exploded on Twitter and on television — though not quite as much as the president’s tan suit — as it reinforced conservative beliefs that Obama does not know what he is doing when it comes to foreign policy.
From the White House transcript:
THE PRESIDENT: I have consulted with Congress throughout this process. I am confident that as Commander-in-Chief I have the authorities to engage in the acts that we are conducting currently. As our strategy develops, we will continue to consult with Congress. And I do think that it will be important for Congress to weigh in, or that our consultations with Congress continue to develop so that the American people are part of the debate.
But I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest quickly jumped into defense mode. Though nothing was said at the press briefing, Earnest took to social media and to CNN to explain what Obama really meant.
Obama was only referring “to military options for striking” Islamist militants in Syria when he said the White House did not “have a strategy yet,” Earnest declared on CNN.
He said that line came after the president “was asked a specific question about what approach he was going to pursue about possible military action in Syria.”
“Our strategy is much broader than just the use of military force,” Earnest said.
On Twitter he tried to draw attention to some of the other quotes from Obama’s speech that weren’t as damning.
POTUS today: “our military action in Iraq has to be part of a broader, comprehensive strategy to protect our people…” 1/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont): “…and to support our partners who are taking the fight to ISIL. And that starts with Iraq’s leaders… ” 2/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont):”…building on the progress that they’ve made so far & forming an inclusive govt that will unite their country…” 3/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): “Any successful strategy, though, also needs strong regional partners.” 4/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): “I’ll be meeting with my National Security Council again this evening as we continue to develop that strategy.” 5/5
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
But it was too little, too late.
With the exception of Vox’s ridiculous explainer, “What everyone gets wrong about the quote that will haunt Obama,” news outlets ran with the “We don’t have a strategy yet” comment as the lead.
It also inspired the #WeDontHaveAStrategyYet hashtag, spawning all sorts of hilarity for the public and headaches for the White House.
Obama: #WeDontHaveAStrategyYet http://t.co/B25LXgIqkE Hillary: pic.twitter.com/AeIuOude5b
— RNC (@GOP) August 28, 2014
#WeDontHaveAStrategyYet But Obama is still on course pic.twitter.com/OXKN5q8Jyr
— Socialist Mop (@socialistmop) August 29, 2014
#WeDontHaveAStrategyYet because the hard drive it was on crashed.
— Suze (@suze109) August 28, 2014
Obama did promise to be transparent…too bad he finally started with ISIS! #WeDontHaveAStrategyYet
— sandy (@tnacgal) August 28, 2014
Don’t worry. We’re sure Obama will have plenty of time to work on his strategy at those high-dollar fundraisers this weekend.
