John Kerry actually said...

"I would advise against taking this path. We cannot be confident of the agenda of the opposition toward either the Libyan people or various U.S. interests, including counterterrorism."

"this would have haunted us for quite some time"

"the threat or use of force, including against civilian aircraft that pose no threat themselves, is unacceptable"

"We firmly believe that a free Libya is in the best interest of the Libyan people and do not see that as an outcome with Qadhafi in power."