Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Consistent
I think that President Obama's strong words directed at the Iranian regime today at his afternoon presser were good and appropriate. I believe that the effect of those words -- "appalled and outraged" and "I strongly condemn these unjust actions" -- is somewhat undercut when he also insists that he has been consistent in his remarks since the protests began immediately after the Iranian election. If he had said something such as, "We've consistently evolved our thinking and words based on the development of facts on the ground in Tehran and other Iranian cities," that would have been more palatable.
For President Obama to say that his words today are consistent with his first or second statements is just Clintonian parsing, which, if it becomes habitual, could disenchant many swing voters who voted for him, partly on his promise to be transparent and end politics as usual.
6 Comments:
By 
Anthony, at
Tue Jun 23, 06:03:00 PM:
It's also consistent with his way of handling difficult situations, going back to Jeremiah Wright: make some anodyne statement and hope the problem goes away and then, if it doesn't, finally come out with something definitive - and claim that was his position all along.
His statement on Iran was good, but it should have been his first statement on the matter, not something said days down the road. Then he vitiated it with obvious efforts to signal the regime that he still wanted "engagement" and that there would be no real consequences. Whether what he said will hearten the Iranian people, I don't know, but to me they became "just words."
By JPMcT, at
Tue Jun 23, 06:13:00 PM:
Odd times. Obama is like Clinton-lite in some ways...and like Carter-on-steroids in others. Clinton always waited until the internal polls were collected before he made any comment on anything...and it was always understood with the wink of an eye that it was just the way business was done.
Obama mixes poll-driven policy with true indecision...and it too self centered to acknowledge that we all know he is doing it.
Bush and Reagan suffered politically because they approached such matters with a ready-FIRE-aim attitude...but they usually got it right...and they had core principles and consistency.
By 
, at
Tue Jun 23, 06:49:00 PM:
Bravo JPMcT! Carter on steroids indeed...lol!Trouble is, by the time Carter "woke-up" ... it was beyond too late--yes, thanks Jimmuh for the gift that keeps on giving- the ayatollahs( talk about the "Chicago Way"- those Jerry-Wrights-in-drag have it nailed). The burgee flapping limply from the portico at 1600 Pennsy. states thusly:we purvey stultifing solipsisms...we don't believe in anything, ergo- we will stand for nuffink.Barry is simply responding to public pressure-he is a cynic and - at heart- a nihilst...terrific.This is getting "progressively" worse and the siren song of St.Barry will end in a broken chord. Read real history Barry- not politically correct rubbish.Ready from day one , my aspidistra.Read about Barry's great community organ."victory" at Altgeld Housing Project- he cannot even protect his "people"- a nihilist folks, operating right in front of your eyes.Open them!
By , at
Tue Jun 23, 10:09:00 PM:
I've decided that Obama's apparent obsession with not wanting to appear as if we're "meddling" is merely a brilliant ploy designed to mislead the Iranian regime into thinking we're not doing anything to interfere when in reality we have major covert operations underway to lend support and direction to the Iranian opposition.
As for needing him to admit that his thinking has "evolved" sounds kind of like the constant yammering during Bush's second administration about how he needed to admit his mistakes.
By JPMcT, at
Tue Jun 23, 10:52:00 PM:
"in reality we have major covert operations underway to lend support and direction to the Iranian opposition"
Yeah, Sally....major covert operations brought to you by the party of The Church Commission, dismantling the spy satellite network, castrating the CIA and sending the Guantanamo prisoners to Bermuda.
It actually would have been a fantastic oppotunity for a competent president to intervene with arms and logistic support.
Alas......
By , at
Wed Jun 24, 01:06:00 AM:
Didn't Obama also say we should "wait and see what happens"? That totally undercuts any anger he claims to be feeling at this situation.
