There is much to criticize about Obama's North African adventure, for a variety of reasons both practical and philosophical, and the proof of that comes from the nature of his critics; not only the tiresome and predictable galvanic spasms of the Newtonian Right, but even from members of his own party and ideological allies. I personally have my own reservations, both tactical and strategic, as well as my doubts as to the constitutionality of the whole affair.

But regardless of how all this turns out, it must be admitted that the response to Khadaffi's outrages had no other choice than to be hastily improvised and quickly implemented as the emergency required, and in spite of that seems to have met with at least initial success. This was not a fiasco that emerged after months of methodical planning, careful deliberation and cynical public relations prep and deception. It was a hastily assembled coalition which responded to an immediate and rapidly changing situation.

After barely a week, it seems to have met its initial stated goal, preventing a civilian massacre, and as a byproduct has severely crippled a bloodthirsty tyrant. And it has managed to do this without resorting to the bullyboy methods which have so often worked against our long-term diplomatic goals in this troubled part of the world and have given so much delight to our enemies.

It is right to compare this operation to another, GHWB's diplomatic and military triumph in booting Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait: a limited-objective, mutually cooperative, regional collective effort which met our national goals and created much good will for us in the region through consultation and cooperation and leadership, not the strutting bombast of "American Exceptionalism".

But without taking any credit from President Bush, he had more than enough time to forge his coalition and plan his strategy. The Libyan affair erupted overnight and is far from over, it still has many chances of going wrong. If President Obama comes anywhere near the Elder Bush's success his effort will be remembered in the same way, and for the same reasons.

As I mentioned earlier, there is much in this operation to be concerned about, even troubled by, even among Mr Obama's allies. But it is precisely the possibility of success that explains completely the ferocity, the sputtering, incoherent (and often contradictory!) rage now issuing from his ideological enemies.