Gibbs: House Iran statement echoes Obama's message

[Turborama]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's chief spokesman said Friday that a House-passed resolution condemning the Iranian election and the unrest that followed "is very consistent" with the message the White House has been sending this week.

But at the same time, Robert Gibbs denied at a White House briefing assertions by some Republicans that Obama has not spoken out fiercely enough. "I think the president has been clear on what he believes ," he said. "And I will say, as the president has said, we're not going to be used as political foils and political footballs in a debate that is happening in Iran. There are many people in the leadership that would love us to get involved and would love to trot out the same old foils they've used for years. That's what they would love to do."

Nevertheless, he said that "obviously, we welcome the resolution."

"We can quibble on this. I think the president has been very clear on this," Gibbs said.

Obama has said he had deep concerns about the election and its aftermath and that he believes the voices of the Iranian people should be heard.

"He believes those who wish to have their voices heard should be able to do that without fear of violence," Gibbs said. "That is an important universal principle that should be upheld and I think he supports that."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090619/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iran_white_house_3

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Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKmAUKT_GnE

[sutz12]

1. Republicans are trying to manufacture false credibility on this one...

We need to stay the fuck out of Iranian politics in any direct way. I have a sort of "who cares" attitude about the House resolution. But I am damn tired of all of the "regime change" talk being bandied about by RW assholes who have a stake in continuing violence and unrest in the middle east.

[bullimiami]

3. for starters. these republicans dont believe in democracy or voting.

they are just a happy with a repressive totalitarian regime as long as its US 'friendly'. ie they play ball.

they have no credibility on this issue whatsoever.

[SkyDaddy7]

4. I agree...However, as individuals we should try and help...

There are site with Iranian email addresses and the theory is with everyone sending news articles in that let the Iranians know the world is watching and is in supoport some may get through.

http://irancontacts.wordpress.com/

[lamp_shade]

2. The final version of Pence's resolution was reworked "significantly" by Berman.

I'd like to see the original.

[louis-t]

5. Yes, repugs would love him to be a bully like their hero

stupidface, except that if he acted like a bully, they would cticize him for that.

[rayofreason]

6. Glad to hear he's coming along.

Finally.

[dgibby]

7. I have some issues with Obama on some of his domestic policies,

but I am 100% in agreement on this.

[Cha]

8. buzzflash analysis on "Why Obama is speaking softly on

Iranian election."

<snip snip>>

"The New York Times reported yesterday that even Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have joined a slew of Republicans encouraging President Obama to speak out more strongly against the Iranian election, in which the incumbent was declared victorious after a mere few hours of ballot-counting, an absurdly inadequate period of time to count the millions of paper votes. Protestors, largely supporters of the reform candidate, Mir Hosein Mousavi, have stormed the streets of Tehran and have been met with violence resulting in the deaths of at least seven.

Obama did not respond to the controversy until he was directly asked to do so at press conferences on Monday and Tuesday. Even then, he was reluctant to say more than that, while he denounces the violent response to protestors, the Iranians should and will choose their next leader without any interference from the United States.

It seems that the President may be taking such a cautious route in order to ensure that, no matter who ends up leading Iran, he will be able to engage the leader diplomatically. Obama's approach to controlling Iran's nuclear ambition has been focused on applying tougher economic sanctions on the country and, to do so, he needs the help of Russia. With the news of Iran's collaboration with North Korea and its increasing nuclear capabilities, cooperation from Russia is now even more critical for Obama."

<more>>
http://blog.buzzflash.com/analysis/825