Fox News reportsObama said the United States is "appalled and outraged" by the regime’s crackdown on protesters, but that his administration is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
"What’s happened in Iran is profound and we’re still waiting to see how it plays itself out," Obama said at a press conference. "It’s not too late for the Iranian government to recognize that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy and prosperity for the Iranian people. We hope they take it." He said there remains a path for the country to engage with the global community.
Obama also dismissed concerns that he’s not speaking out forcefully enough in support of the protesters, saying the Iranian people can "speak for themselves." At the same time, he used tougher language than he has in recent days.
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," he said. "But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society.
"This is not about the United States and the West. This is about the people of Iran, and the future that they, and only they, will choose," Obama said.
The President of the United States shouldnât have to âwait and seeâ to be on the side of freedom â he should not be the Bystander-in-Chief. What is he waiting for? Oh yeah, still holding out hope that he can negotiate with the thug they currently have as President. He did say, âitâs not too late for the Iranian government to recognize there is a peaceful pathâŠâ
Are you kidding me? They had their chance, when protesters are dying in the streets they lose any semblance of credibility when governing. It is too late for them, and too late for President Obama to speak with any kind of authority or integrity on this issue. Again, on foreign policy, he has been behind the eight ball. He must have taken a poll to decide it was time to âcondemnâ the actions of the Iranian government. Most of us with common sense realized to do this last week.
The people of Iran can and have been speaking out, and thankfully weâve had a clue about what is going on via Twitter and YouTube, otherwise they wouldnât have had a voice. He said this is about the people of Iran and only they can choose. You are right Mr. President, it is for them to choose. They have already done that, and it was stolen from them.
HT: Gateway Pundit
Update: Just read an article yesterday at The Weekly Standard by Fred Barnes – âThereâs No False Choice on Iranâ
But confronted by a popular revolt in Iran, Obama has succumbed to a false choice. Either support the democratic forces in Iran aligned against the rigged presidential election or preserve his chance to negotiate with the Ahmadinejad regime for a nuclear arms deal–one or the other. The president thinks he’s stuck with a dilemma. He’s not. The two options aren’t mutually exclusive. The choice is indeed false.
To escape his predicament, Obama has sought neutrality between a discredited regime and democratic protesters. This actually helps the regime, since President Ahmadinejad and the mullahs don’t need Obama’s support. The protesters do. In effect, Obama has tilted in favor of the regime. The result is personal shame (for Obama) and policy shame (for the United States).
The president should know better. In dealing with dictators, honey is rarely more effective than vinegar. Obama’s respectful overtures to Iran’s leaders evoked only angry recriminations against America and no sign of willingness to settle differences on nuclear arms or anything else.