"You are absolutely right that as long as Qadhafi remains in power, and unless he changes his approach and there are significant reforms in the Libyan government that allow the Libyan people to express themselves, there are still going be potential threats against Libyan people-unless he is going to step down," Obama said.

His quick shift back to what he had earlier stated-that Qadhafi must step down-is more in line with the conclusion that he and his administration officials had come to weeks ago. But a return to the call for "political reforms" is reminiscent of the White House position on Egypt during its upheaval.