Obama-come-lately on Iran; O’s obligatory press conference
At around 12:30pm Eastern, Barack Obama will put down his ice cream cone and boldly condemn repression in Iran.
Why now?
Andrew Malcolm explains the timing:
You don’t need to be a basketball-loving president of the United States to know that if you’re trying to block opponents’ shots in your end, you sure aren’t increasing your own totals. You can’t score points on D.
So Obama’s news conference this morning Pacific time is his bid to steal the ball from his opponents and scoot down the court for his own layup. It’s a classic political reset of the play clock. At 9:30 a.m. Pacific (12:30 p.m. Eastern, 4:30 p.m. GMT), Obama will make a statement in the White House Rose Garden and then take questions.
Obama has lost some mojo in recent days on this month’s pressing issues, especially Iran’s ongoing protests and healthcare reform. Obama’s printed Saturday statement about Iran on his way out the White House door for ice cream with his daughters was insufficient media competition for the appallingly graphic video of the young woman Neda dying on a Tehran street. Some called the presidential statement ineffective and “mealy-mouthed.”
On Father’s Day, while the president played golf out of camera-sight, others were on TV declaring the U.S. must say more to support the unarmed protesters in Iran.
…Sen. John McCain’s angry Senate Neda speech Monday, also reported and analyzed here with a video, dramatically changed that equation, forcing Obama to talk today more powerfully about the power of talk.
It was just last month that Obama was forced to scramble in response to another Republican, Dick Cheney, to organize dueling speeches on homeland security.
Obama-come-lately strikes again.
“Leadership.”
***
But, of course, Obama’s Cairo speech inspired the freedom activists in Iran that he is only now speaking out for, you know.
***
Update: Obama’s press statement this afternoon was rather unemotional and obligatory-sounding. Included an odd set-up question with Huffington Post writer Nico Pitney, who has covered Iranian election extensively. Obama anticipated his question and basically telegraphed what Pitney would ask — a question solicited from Iranians communicating across the Internet.
Major Garrett at Fox News asks the obvious question: “What took you so long?”
Obama blathers.
Garrett asks if invitation to Iran to meet on July 4 is still on.
“That’s up to Iran.”
Translation: Invitation — and “path” to engagement — still open.
***
Question: Were you influenced by McCain/Graham speaking strongly on Iran?
Obama snarks: What do you think?
Reporters laugh.
Are you laughing?
***
Chuck Todd: What about consequences for Iranian repression?
O refers to Neda again: A young woman getting shot on the street as she’s getting out of her car is a “problem.”
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- The Obama Moment: What Iran, Golf, Ice Cream and Hungarians have in common « Jim Blazsik
- The Snooper Report
- Anti-Obama Bumper Stickers | The Substratum
- Compare And Contrast: Obama On Iran To Reagan On Poland « Nice Deb
- Whew… Glad Obama’s Fourth of July BBQ Is Still on with Those Iranian Diplomats « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- Negative Reactions from Republicans AND Democrats to Obama’s Weak Handling of Iranian Protest and Revolution « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- Ping-Pong Shuttlecock Hot Dog Diplomacy | Track-A-'Crat: The Roll Call of Democratic Delinquency
- Should Obama Get Credit For The Iran Revolt? « NEOAVATARA
- Obama’s statement kind of late, no? « Dianej
- Michelle Malkin » Obama hand-holds Huffington Post blogger
- Either this WH wants to “meddle” or it doesn’t « Sister Toldjah
- Obama hand-holds Huffington Post blogger : Stand Our Ground
- Major Garrett exposes Obama at the presser, even Chuck Todd does! | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
- Jules Crittenden » Disgust-Blogging The Press Conference
- One Voice of the “Silent Majority” Speaks Out Against Our Government | Glenn Beck Show: The Letter « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- Larry Sinclair is Receiving Book Orders Now – WND Reward for Witness to Obama’s Birth – Speculation About $134 Billion in Treasury Securities – Obama Comes Late To Iran – Michelle Malkin – The BOPAC Report « ̶
- Larry Sinclair is Receiving Book Orders Now – WND Reward for Witness to Obama’s Birth – Speculation About $134 Billion in Treasury Securities – Obama Comes Late To Iran – Michelle Malkin – The BOPAC Report « ̶
- Mark Levin Fan » Blog Archive » Obama on Iran ‘A sad day when we have a sad American President like this’
- Department of Fence: Concerning Iran «
- Bookmarks for June 23rd from 09:02 to 16:00 | Peeled Away
- “Let them eat hot dogs.”
- Obama Has Tough Words for Iran…FINALLY! | shyspeak.net
- President Obama strongest statement condeming Iran « Smart and silly
- Michelle Malkin » Obama-come-lately on Iran | Barack Obama News
- American History, Obama-rised « Grand Rants
- “What Took You So Long?” Obama’s Waffling on Iranian Support & His BBQ with Murderous Mullahs (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- Not Content To Just Attack Women, Liberals Now Go After Small Children. Nothing Is Sacred When It Comes To Hating Sarah Palin. « A Time For Choosing
- Not Content To Just Attack Women, Liberals Now Go After Small Children. Nothing Is Sacred When It Comes To Hating Sarah Palin. « Sarah Palin Information Blog
- Who Would’ve Thought? WH Reporters Chip Reid and Helen Thomas Criticize Obama’s Manipulation of Media at Phony Town Hall (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- The Anchoress — A First Things Blog
- As the World Burns, Mr. Obama Dribbles - Marcus_Traianus’s blog - RedState
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Categories: Iran, Repression
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To pilfer from Napolitano, The Obamessiah is the man caused American (and maybe even the world) Disaster happening before our very eyes. He is so clueless!
An out of wedlock child born to a hippie welfare queen and a philandering dad.
No academic records indicating the superior scholastic achievement up until joining Harvard Law (most likely a beneficiary of Affirmative Action).
More than decade long associations with low-life scumbags Ayers and Wright.
A product of Chicago thug politics with charming personality and great teleprompter reading skills.
Almost two years on campaign trail with all the liabilities for anyone to find.
Still this guy gets elected the President of United States.
I don’t know who is stupider:
Voting public blinded by hatred of Bush.
Or
The media because they wanted to see (and create) a historic first of an African American elected to the presidency.
Just jumping in, haven’t yet read all the comments on this thread, so apologies if this is already addressed.
BUT, I can’t help but wonder if perhaps the q about Iran “diplomats” being invited to party with the US on the 4th of July should have been reworded, a la: “Shouldn’t some of the ‘freedom fighters’ from Iran be invited to our 4th of July celebration instead of those who repress them?”
Makes my blood boil!!
Not to mention entirely offensive.