Just Words For Obama On Iran

While Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton continue their search for Obama's backbone, let me repeat my suggestion for some White House rhetoric in support of the demonstrators in Iran:

America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with respect for all their people.

Too inflammatory?  Well, he said it two weeks ago in Cairo, back when talk was cheap.

Back in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei says, "Enough".

Can Obama really hope to "welcome" Iran's leaders following a brutal crackdown?  I am worried about another Tiananmen; Obama, of course, is worried about another Kent State.

MORE:  Paul Wolfowitz, not necessarily the go-to guy on creating democracies, thinks Obama could do more:

It would be a cruel irony if, in an effort to avoid imposing democracy, the United States were to tip the scale toward dictators who impose their will on people struggling for freedom. And if we appear so desperate for negotiations that we will abandon those who support our principles, we weaken our own negotiating hand.

That does not mean that we need to pick sides in an Iranian election or claim to know its result. Obama could send a powerful message simply by placing his enormous personal prestige behind the peaceful conduct of the demonstrators and their demand for reform -- exactly the kind of peaceful, democratic change that he praised in his speech in Cairo.

Like the rest of the world, President Obama must have been surprised by the magnitude of the protests in Iran. Iranians are protesting not just election fraud but also the growing abuses of the Iranian people by a dictatorial regime. Now is not the time for the president to dig in to a neutral posture. It is time to change course.

Jon Chait of TNR would be even more delighted if Wolfowitz specifically, and conservatives generally, would at least address the notion that the Great Satan has a very limited role to play here and will not help the demonstrators by being linked to them, or by being perceived as meddling in Iranian affairs (again!).   Dan McLaughlin obliges:

But what if President Obama did it [lent rhetorical support to the demonstrators]? If Cairo was about anything, if it was worth anything, if the Obama Brand could ride to the aid of the interests of the United States in a situation where a more explicitly pro-American president could not, Obama should be willing and able to put that brand to work in a situation where the obvious objective truth is that he was acting to favor the interests of an Islamic population. He should be able to draw on his personal favorability in a crisis when something real is at stake.

Well, maybe the Muslim world needs more than one speech to fall fully in love with him - it took America a few months, if I recal the primary season.

In any case, David "I Didn't Drink The Kool Aid But I Can Describe Its Bouquet" Brooks assures us that Obama is all good on this:

Many of us have been dissatisfied with the legalistic calibrations of the Obama administration’s response to Iran, which have been disproportionate to the sweeping events there. We’ve been rooting for the politicians in the administration, like Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who have been working for a more sincere and heartfelt response.

But the comments of the first few days are not that important. What’s important is that the Obama administration understands the scope of what is happening. And on the big issue, my understanding is that the administration has it exactly right.

Exactly?  At this point Obama seems to be committed to pursuing negotiations and a summit (without pre-conditions, but with preparations) with Iranian leaders likely to be widely viewed as repressive and illegitimate.  I am not sure that is exactly the best course.

Comments

[Jack is Back!]

He blew it when he said there was no difference between Dinnerjacket and Mousavi. How do you think Mousavi and his wife feel about that (even though its true)? How about the Green Revolution crowd who were expecting JFK or Reagan to show up but got Urkel? I am still convinced this is his 3 AM and Biden "disappointment" moment which giving Biden credit nailed it right on the head. I think despite Joe's egocentric personality he is trying like hell to get Urkel to be more like Reagan than like Carter but to no avail. I am going out on limb here and predict that Jim Jones will resign over this as well as NORK. I believe he is not being listened to or even given access and that Urkel is being advised by the Axelrod of Evil (Rahm, Rice and Jarrett).

[Jack is Back!]

For all you golf or Tiger fans out there, here is the live video feed of the Marquee group (Tiger, Cabrera and Harrington). I can only get it on low speed since I am a member of the "dark side" (i.e. Safari). But you can do mail, blog, kibbutz websites and do your knitting while keeping up with the Open. By the way, I am in the Hamptons and yesterday's rain was torrential. Today its a lot better and they will probably get in 18 plus at least a 1/3rd or more of Round 2. But the weather will degrade for the weekend and this could go as far as Tuesday.

[Rick Ballard]

Jack,

The muslim scum are going to give him the 3AM call opportunity in the fall - after he's licked their boots to a spit shine. No one will be there to pick up the phone then any more than anyone appears capable of responding to this Twitter message today.

I don't think they'll bother with anymore "tests". The results are too clear already.

[Jane]

Jack your link goes to JOM - can you post the correct one?

Thanks

[matt]

The Grand Ayatollah Khameini told the opposition to stop protesting at the Friday prayer service. Nothing to see here, move along, or we'll crush you, basically.

That from the Times of London. Oh yeah, and "Death to the UK" chants were big....Not sure about the "Death to America" chants. Maybe he feels Obama is on his side.

[verner]

The current regime is very cozy with the Russians, Chavez and Fidel. Iran keeps things stirred up, and they like that, especially for oil revenues which are the only thing keeping them going.

So if you want to figure out who the rest of the Cuban agents in the government are....

Is it any surprise at all that the left and their various allies are lukewarm over this particular revolution?

[narciso]

You want to know how ridiculous, no scratch that, obscene, this whole thing has gotten
the Egyptian mouthpiece Al Ahram is
denouncing our lackluster response to the protests. "The people who brought usMohammed
Atta, and Sheik Rahman" as Jerry Delafamina
would put it.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

LUN, Jane

[peter]

The muslim scum are going to give him the 3AM call opportunity in the fall - after he's licked their boots to a spit shine. No one will be there to pick up the phone then any more than anyone appears capable of responding to this Twitter message today.

I don't think they'll bother with anymore "tests". The results are too clear already.

Post of the day, for all blogs, everywhere!

[Neo]

This is a President who apologies for everyone except himself, because he is “like a god”.
Allow me to fart in your general direction .. you so-called “Micah”

[Original MikeS]

The Grand Ayatollah Khameini told the opposition to stop protesting at the Friday prayer service.

Obama will, no doubt, make a statement in support of Khameini's decree today. After all Khameini won his appointment, Amadinijad won his election, Obama won his election.

Early rumbling from the White House are rumors that Iranian presidential challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi, had been acting confused and disoriented.

[Steve]

Great post! Keep up the excellent work!!
COMMON CENTS
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

ps. Link Exchange??

[Stephanie]

...it smells like elderberries.

[larry]

The Open is on ESPN now, too.

[Appalled]

Let's look at what it is actually possible for the US to do about Iran. Well, we can stop buying their oil...

Except that we don't do that.

We could say ringing things about the students -- sort of a like a politician at a 4th of July picnic -- and harken the Iranian youth to America's values in the same way Reagan harkened the Poles and East Europe in the dark days of the cold war.

Except that, in Iran, our name is mud. In Poland and east Europe, we never had supported their oppressors. In Iran, we liked the Shah. Poland and east europe are Christian nations (mostly). Iran's religions are not ours, and their religions don't exactly embrace our values.

Oh well, chuck that idea.

OK gang -- what's left? Making the really scary scowly face? Or letting the Isrealis making those students in the streets radioactive by firing a few well paced bombs? Suggestions? (Maybe Hillary will have a little time for some web surfing when recuperating at home from the elbow)

If there is anything tough to be done on Iran, it really needs to be the Europeans who do it. They are the ones who still have the economic ties. They are the ones who actually can make the lives of the leaders of Iran worse.

Obama has not really handled this crisis badly. When there is nothing we really can do, doing nothing quietly is a better option than speaking loudly and carrting a toothpick. I wish he had kept his mouth shut about the relative rottenness of the Iranian presdential candidates, though. That may come back to haunt him. Obama, sometimes, likes to play pundit, or think something out in public. It usually does not work well for him.

[Stephanie]

Obama, sometimes, likes to play pundit, or think something out in public. It usually does not work well for him.

Well, thinking and liberal ideas don't usually mix well...

[larry]

I cannot imagine the #2 player in the world losing a ball in the US freakin Open!

[MayBee]

Except that, in Iran, our name is mud. In Poland and east Europe, we never had supported their oppressors. In Iran, we liked the Shah. Poland and east europe are Christian nations (mostly). Iran's religions are not ours, and their religions don't exactly embrace our values.

Are you sure?
I'd always heard the Iranian youth love America. They find pirated American movies, wear blue jeans, love American pop culture.
In fact, just a few weeks ago we were told how brilliant Obama was to send an internet message directly to the people of Iran, because they are willing to engage us.

Are we so sure they hate us because of the Shah? That was a long time ago now, and they've been through enough under the new regime to know not everything about life under the Shah was so horrible. (We manage not to hate the Iranian people because of the hostage crisis.) Do the young people of Iran really hold that against us?

I just find that argument hard to buy. Americans are welcome and even embraced in Vietnam and Cambodia. Time heals a lot of wounds, even when it hasn't been that much time.

[MayBee]

I just think it's so dopey the way people are always explaining other countries and their "reasonable" long-held grievances against us.
Yet Americans aren't supposed to hold grievances against other countries or other people.

[Michael]

It isn't obvious "who side we are on" as Peggy Noonan believes. The choice is between democracy and stability. I think Obama has choosen stability because he sincerely believes that his charisma and charm that has worked wonders on the American Public and press will work on the Mullahs. It sounds like Roosevelt's belief that he could charm Stalin.

. I heard ZBIG this morning basically state that it might not be in our interest for the demontrators to win. I think many in the adminstration feel the same way

[Porchlight]

When there is nothing we really can do, doing nothing quietly is a better option than speaking loudly and carrting a toothpick.

It was my impression that Obama did speak loudly and carry a toothpick, when he took the position during the election that Bush's policies wrt Iran were moronic, and he, with his soothing baritone, was going to talk Iran into seeing sense. He reinforced this impression in Cairo.

I agree that we are in a tough position with Iran and have been for a long time. But Obama campaigned on the notion that he could make a difference. So he deserves the heat for his non-stance now.

[Danube of Thought]

"Let's look at what it is actually possible for the US to do about Iran."

Appalled is the one (along with The One) who chucked the idea of saying "we stand with the people, not the government," a la Reagan. I certainly don't. In Iran "our name is mud" in some quarters, but certainly not all. Not in the eyes of the moderns and the students--at least until now.

Obama flunked this one badly. Now what he will do is "negotiate" with, and thereby legitimize, a corrupt terrorist regime. And what, exactly, is it that he is going to negotiate. Iran will be a nuclear power, and a nuclear power that has nothing but contempt for the American president.

[Danube of Thought]

Rasmussen now converging again--down to plus one.

And I'm entertaining the hope that we will be spared the "public option."

[Ignatz]

Appalled, you're a bit of a conundrum.
You usually have most of the facts straight and yet you almost invariably swerve to the wrong conclusion, often just as it appears you'll finally get one right.
Why is that?

[Dave]

OT - Gird your loins, John McCain is on the move...

[narciso]

I'm sorry but that's a load of Semantic level stupidity,Appalled, it's been thirty
years since the Shah, that's like saying
we were despised in because of CzarNicholas,
more like Kerensky. The Europeans were least likely to do anything in Iraq, precisely because they did have concession there,which the Oil for Food investigations.
Now to their credit, Sarkozy and Merkel, has
been forceful, than again they are outsiders
to the system, even with his 'enarque' background, and her upbringing in East
Germany. We and I suppose the despised Gordon Brown have nothing to say about this.

[Appalled]

Ignatz:

It's the heavy secret drinking. Which I blame on Bush.

[matt]

bottom line is that it's a mullahcrocy and the choice is between one rotten anti American corruptocrat and another. If there was the chance for a real, pro-Western outcome we could do something, but otherwise, as soon as it's over, they'll rev up the weekly "Death to America" rallies again, this time because of our "interference". Rule #1 is externalize the threat.

Most of the pro-Western Persians (never Iranians)are outside the country now, and the conservatives do in fact outweigh the more liberal elements by a considerable margin.That and the guns of the Basij and the Guardians.

[anonymous]

David "I Didn't Drink The Kool Aid But I Can Describe Its Bouquet" Brooks

hilarious, Tom

[Parking Lot]

((Let's look at what it is actually possible for the US to do about Iran. Well, we can stop buying their oil...))

Appalled, for some reason that comes across as though you believe the US buys large amounts of Iran's oil.

in actual fact, per official energy statistics from the US govt, Iran isn't even on the list of top 15 US oil suppliers.

http://tinyurl.com/oilsuppliers

[Try Hang Gliding]

Can someone please tell me what president Obama said in that Cairo speech that president Bush hadn't said hundreds of times before?

[Jane]

Obama flunked this one badly.

I completely agree. Never was there a better time to flout democratic ideals, freedom and the values we hold dear. Maybee could have written the perfect speech - all sweetness and light while gutting the opposition.

I'm starting to worry that our president doesn't actually share those values and ideals.

So are they all playing 36 today since they were rained out yesterday?

[Stephanie]

Nope, but I haven't figured out who's playing more than 18 if any... seems Tiger is done for the day, but they just said something about some others playing more than 18...

Put me in the room with Walpin... I'm confused.

[Appalled]

Parking Lot:

Actually,I meant to say we don't have economic leverage because we DON'T buy their oil and haven't in a very long time. My bad wording.

[Boatbuilder]

Hey TM, why the gratuitous slam at Wolfowitz? Is Iraq not now a democracy?

Neither Wolfowitz nor Bush (nor Reagan or Churchill or FDR) ever said or implied that it is or would be easy to end dictatorship and despotism. It takes fortitude, courage, persistence, blood and money.

The alternative is the sort of craven helplessness that prevails in international diplomacy today.

To concede that Iraq is a failure, or success obtained at too high a cost, is to give up the game. No dictator or repressive regime need fear reprisal; they know that the alleged supporters of freedom lack the collective will to back it up.

[Chris]

Realpolitik in action. Doing (saying) little or nothing is always the safer play in the short run. If some eggs get broken, oh well.

Nice of McLaughlin to concede that Barry is not "explicitly pro-American". I'm shocked!

[narciso]

Exactly, Boatbuilder, Wolfowitz, the
imperfect 'father of Iraqi democracy' who crusaded against corruption at the World Bank, so they forced him out on somepretext,
and they ended up with Zoellick, and who hears of him, now. Chait, I recall for his claim that it was alright to "hate"George W. Bush, and he is part of the journolist. so discard anything he has to say.

Jane, by now we clearly know he doesn't believe in any of these words by 'dead white men' as that stupid Stanford protest presaged, as if we didn't know this before. He seems to have absorbed almost by osmosis
the contempt for Western values by Fanon, Kenyatta et al, even the attitude of Qutb, if not shares his program. Matt, I defer to you on the understanding of the nature of the Iranian people, maybe the silent majority is as prevalent as that in
Pakistan.

[Ignatz]

--Ignatz:

It's the heavy secret drinking. Which I blame on Bush.--

The great thing is Appalled, even when being tweaked, you're almost invariably good natured.
The world could use a lot more of that.

[clarice]

Actually, no one has been more consistently optimistic about the possibility of some kind of democracies developing in the ME than Wolfowitz..Maybe TM means that that view is so widely discredited by his detractors..Well..so what.

[Ignatz]

--Can someone please tell me what president Obama said in that Cairo speech that president Bush hadn't said hundreds of times before?--

Kick me?

[Danube of Thought]

It's the Carter foreign policy all over again: "Agonizing paralysis at the time and place of our choosing."

[Danube of Thought]

California unemployment hits 11.5%, its modern-day record. And the Dems in the legislature are hollering for a tax increase.

[Old Lurker]

"I'm starting to worry that our president doesn't actually share those values and ideals."

Dear Jane...where ya been?

:-)

[Rick Ballard]

Doggone it, DoT, don't be so negative. Sure CA is slightly worse than the 11.3% rate in NV but it's a lot better than the 12.4% in OR and miles away from the 14.1% in MI.

Let's just smile and focus on the absolute fact that things are getting worse at a much slower pace in this best of all possible worlds.

[MayBee]

Wow. Thank you, Jane.

I'm starting to worry that our president doesn't actually share those values and ideals.

I'm trying to think of when he's ever indicated he does.

Appalled and I had a moment of togetherness when we both worried about Obama's desire that the US not be seen as above other countries.
We also, I believe, share a concern that the friends he had in Chicago (like Bill Ayers) is a clue about his view of America's place in the world.
Am I remembering correctly, Appalled?

Obama does love the trappings that come with running this country though.

[Rick Ballard]

Narciso,

I sincerely doubt that the President knows any of the words by 'dead white men'. There was a question concerning which President was the 'worst' the other day, I believe that "Can anyone name a President more obviously ignorant?" belongs alongside it. He does love the trappings - he's got Chance the gardener beat there.

[narciso]

Yes, Rick, Voltaire's Candide seems very appropriate now. We're in a marginally better state down here in Florida, we're just going to hit the 10% market, oh frabjous joy. Where did you that pitch perfect description of Carter's foreign policy,Danube, more from Moynihan. So from the looks of things, Charles Freeman might
as well be running the NIC; although his Saudi sponsors might actually be showing more concern for Iran's situation right now.

[Annoying Old Guy]

Appalled, here is what I don't understand

Except that, in Iran, our name is mud. In Poland and east Europe, we never had supported their oppressors. In Iran, we liked the Shah.

Stipulating this to be true for the purposes of discussion, I read this as saying that since we made a mistake in the past by supporting an oppressor of the Iranian people, the only sensible policy is to repeat that mistake?

I would instead draw the conclusion that we should learn from our mistakes and do it differently this time around, so that 30 years from now our name doesn't continue to be mud.

How would you recommend redeeming our good name in Iran, other than this? Or, having made a mistake once, is there no hope for us at all? If the latter, shouldn't we just go ahead and take as much advantage out of abusing the Iranians as possible? Might as well be hung for a wolf as a sheep, after all.

[Jane]

Dear Jane...where ya been?

I know. Seriously for the sake of my second career I'm trying desperately to not go over that edge. The hardest time is when I watch Glenn Beck who seems to say everything many are thinking but are afraid to say.

[Jane]

Oh and the second theory is that he is simply stupid. That might be better.

[narciso]

Well you know Rick, really out of date stuff, like "We hold these truths to be self evident" "We the People" and "Four Score and Seven Years Ago", he must have cribbed Machiavelli, but only on his domestic adversaries, that part of the
Cliff Notes was left out.

[sylvia]

So how do you topple a dictatorship? You either have to have guns and fight back, which the Iranian people don't, or you have to infiltrate the army/police force at the top. And I don't see any progress on that front, since they have the militant Muslims.

Maybe there could be some other type of resistance. No one pay taxes there. No one goes to work. Cut off the electricty and telephones to the government buildings.

Another thing is money. I suggested right here before Petraeus that they needed to start spreading the wealth around to the Sunnis in Iraq and bribe them. And that's what Petrauus did and it apparently worked so I was right. So maybe offer assurances of jobs to the Baji (sp?) and bonuses afterwards? Most people fight for their jobs, not idealogy.

But half measures are not enough. Watch the movie Valkerye to see that illustrated.

[GMax]

This guy is doing his very best to out Carter even Jiminy Carter himself. Since I have seen that movie, I know how it ends ( we elect Ronald Reagan and regain our common sense ). Given the rapid changes I am seeing in Polls, I think its likely the same result is brewing. Is there another Reagan to elect?

[Joe]

What Obama could/should do?

Compare the treatment of the protesters in Iran today with the Selma marchers, Freedom Riders and others in the 1960s South, talk about how courageous their actions were, mention the ultimate historical judgment of the likes of Bull Connor and have a big finish of hoping that the will of the people will ultimately be respected, just as it is in the Great Satan. The End.

Or he could reprise some of his Cairo speech and talk how great the Iranian government is because they let their women wear scarves and head coverings, just like the Great Satan.

[Rick Ballard]

Narciso,

I think he'd be pushed to understand The Princess Bride, Il Principe just ain't in the ballgame. Let's just cross our fingers that his indoctrination didn't include a comic book presentation of Nietzsche or Sorel. Marx without those two is bad enough.

[MayBee]

Or he could reprise some of his Cairo speech and talk how great the Iranian government is because they let their women wear scarves and head coverings, just like the Great Satan.

He could also reprise the part where he told the muslim world that change never comes about through violence.

[GMax]

I love the comment upthread about repeating the mistake. What you have obviously forgotten is this is a Dimocrat in office, so that makes its not only alright but perfectly acceptable.

[sylvia]

I want another thread on healthcare too because I am still hyped up on that. As of course I am on the Iran issue.

[Boatbuilder]

I believe Bret Stephens pointed to the example of Reagan's and Thatcher's support for Solidarity and the Polish uprising in the 80's. It isn't "meddling" to make a clear statement of support for democratic opponents of an obviously oppressive regime. And the moral uplift and guidance that such support provides, both to the protesters themselves and to other countries looking for leadership to follow, is absolutely crucial.
Nobody regards it as improper or dangerous meddling in the affairs of the U.S. or the free democracies of the world when the likes of Chavez, Castro, Mugabe and Ahminadinnerjacket rant against democratic states and their leaders as "oppressors of the people."
The idea that fear of giving the mullahs an excuse to crack down on the protesters should counsel cautious and measured words rather than blunt truths is pathetic and craven. Let freedom ring, President Hope and Change!

[Boatbuilder]

Joe--I didn't see your comment before I posted. Apparently some insufficiently deferential types gave Bull Connor an excuse to crack down. Good thing the rest of the world turned a blind eye, otherwise there would have been trouble.

[peter]

OT, J.D. Salinger must be a hundred years old by now, and I know he's been bat$h!+ for at least the last thirty, but he is suing someone in Manhattan Federal court. Lord have mercy on me, a miserable sinner. LUN

[glasater]

Is there another Reagan to elect?

Gmax--I'm watching the tea leaves in that department like a bunch of us are and think that it will be a battle between Romney and Gingrich in 2012.
Unless things get so bad what with the economy and weather and Zero's complete incompetence--and I truly believe they will--there will have to be a massive grassroots uprising for the only person that understands energy policy and that is our dear Sarah.

[Danube of Thought]

It is very clear to me that this man is neither wise nor learned nor well-educated (I await the day when some relentless young reporter gets the transcrits from Occidental, Columbia and Harvard).

I think much of his remaining personal support derives from people who are hoping desperately that the first African-American president will not be perceived as a failure. But a failure he is destined to be.

[Ignatz]

--it will be a battle between Romney and Gingrich in 2012--

Newt will never win elective office again.
For the sake of the priniciples he so ably promotes, and Newt himself, I hope I'm correct.

[Dave]

Unless things get so bad?

[Thomas Collins]

Looks as if Tehran residents are not mollified by Ayatollah Khamenei's assurances that the Presidential election was fair. See LUN.

[PaulL]

Could Bob Dole run again? He's doing great work with Tom Daschle on health care.

[BobS]

There's a question of timing here that troubles me. Dennis Ross was curiuosly removed as special envoy to Iran a few days ago. No reason was given. Is it that there is another channel to the mullah's that Obama is using and that Ross may have gummed up the works? Is it possible that Obama already had a channel open with the Iranians and doesn't want to screw it up now - his Grand Bargain and all that?

[BobS]

Maybe it helps explain wy he referred to Khamenei with his exhaltation

[Appalled]

MayBee:

Your memory is correct. Don't have time to say more, but good manners and common decency requires I respond to you.

[clarice]

He got rid of Ross because he's Jewish and it was believed or possibly known that the Irani objected to him there.

[sylvia]

""If the difference was 100,000 or 500,000 or 1 million, well, one may say fraud could have happened. But how can one rig 11 million votes?" Khamenei asked."

This quote might explained why the establishment may have cheated big, instead of tinkering at the margins. They thought the large margin would innoculate them against cheating accusations, but their gamble did not pay off. They thought the people wouldn't know the difference, but it shows they have little understanding about polls and modern information that would let people know that the large margins were not legit.

[clarice]

Breitbart:

LONDON (AP) - The BBC is using two extra satellites to broadcast its Farsi-language service after days of jamming it blamed on Iran.
The British state-run news organization said the move was meant to help it reach its Iranian audience as the crisis over their country's disputed election deepens. It is also a challenge to Iran's religious government, which has accused foreign broadcasters of stirring unrest, singling out the BBC in particular.

"This is an important time for Iran," BBC World Service Director Peter Horrocks said in a statement. "We hope that by adding more ways to access BBC Persian television, Farsi-speaking audiences can get the high quality news, analysis and debate they clearly desire."

[hit and run]

DoT:
I think much of his remaining personal support derives from people who are hoping desperately that the first African-American president will not be perceived as a failure. But a failure he is destined to be.

Post-election, approval rating "Bradley Effect"?

People don't want to tell a pollster that they disapprove of the first African-American president.

In fact, maybe some day history will record such a phenomenon as the "Obama Effect": an unwillingness to express disapproval of a minority high elected official (if they're a Democrat, of course) to a pollster, while readily expressing disapproval of almost every single one of his or her policies and decisions.

[BobS]

I know that storyline, too, Clarice. But exactly told this to Obama? At any rate, it further explains his accomodations to those murdering bastards. Its bewildering beyond anything imaginable that an American president would act as he has on this.

[Porchlight]

the "Obama Effect"

This is very possible. It could also be that, completely aside from Obama's minority status, the campaign to demonize the right is working. So it feels fairly safe to say one disapproves of specific policies; but not so safe to say one disapproves of his performance in general.

A similar phenomenon is when righties go out of their way to make disclaimers about birthers. One can't just say one thinks Obama is doing a terrible job, one has to first specifically distance oneself from the perceived "extremists." Liberal Democrats did not face this problem with Bush that I can remember.

It's really all of a piece.

[centralcal]

"I think much of his remaining personal support derives from people who are hoping desperately that the first African-American president will not be perceived as a failure."

I couldn't agree more. I think the polls showing personal approval and policy disapproval - all in the same poll - are indicataive of that.

[centralcal]

Also, I have to wonder - since a majority of the pollsters are 2nd only to the media in being biased, and since nearly all of their poll samples skew heavily to the left (Democrat), and are then further weighted even more in favor of the left, how really bad are some of these policy disapproval numbers in reality????

[Thomas Collins]

There may be an Obama effect based on race and some pollster bias, but I have noticed, in my neck of the woods (southwest suburbs of Boston), rank snobbery. Obama was Harvard Law Review and a law professor, so he must be smart. And this is from folks other than lawyers and law professors.

[Ann]

Kevin Jackson is not afraid. He calls Obama...

SUPER FLY!!!

http://theblacksphere.net/site/obama-is-superfly/

[hit and run]

Porchlight:
It could also be that, completely aside from Obama's minority status, the campaign to demonize the right is working

Well, I agree that the demonization is working -- but I don't think it can be separated from the ever-present and just a hair-trigger-away charge of racism.

If Hillary were doing the exact same things, the Right especially, and others generally, would have no problem denoucing her personally along with her policies.

Well, maybe there would be a push to cry sexism, but I really doubt that people would be so hesitant to express discontent with Hillary as they are with Obama.

And although it's hard to imagine an untainted John Edwards having made it to the White House, I again submit that if he or some other white guy were in the Oval Office making the same decisions and pursuing the same policies as Obama, people would be much less hesitant to express their disapproval of that man.

Even given the same amount of demonization efforts by the left and media.

[hit and run]

TC:
but I have noticed, in my neck of the woods (southwest suburbs of Boston), rank snobbery. Obama was Harvard Law Review and a law professor, so he must be smart.

But again, Hillary has all the right creds, right? Would her approval be the same as Obama at this point, if she had done exactly the same things Obama has done?

Going back to DoT's line:
I think much of his remaining personal support derives from people who are hoping desperately that the first African-American president will not be perceived as a failure.

The Soft Bigotry of Hopeful Expectations

[glasater]

Unless things get so bad?

True

I get around our small community to a certain extent and although much of our local economy is sustained by government entities--the state penitentiary, VA, two private colleges and a community college and a pretty vibrant agriculture base--there is a quietness (it's the only way I can describe it and that sounds Peggy Noonan-ish) and a sort of resigned attitude amongst the folks I encounter.

[Jack is Back!]

Sorry about the link to the Open marquee group. Just back from the course. Followed Lefty (Mickleson) for 6 holes on his first nine and he looked very comfortable and ready to compete but then I understand he took a couple of bogies later. Tiger doesn't go back out until tomorrow. Big noisy, New Yawk crowds of the polite but poignant raspberry type. Less Bronx cheers and more like "yougotaproblemwiththat"?

However, it is still my theory that he listening to the Axelrod faction and not the Jones/Biden/Clinton faction. Ayers and Co. are still influential. It takes guts to listen to the seasoned international types and then follow through but it only takes a snort to listen to Marshall/Ayers/Wright and nod off lightly.

[Porchlight]

You're spot on, hit. The reason it's so easy to demonize the right is because the big You're A Racist club is perpetually raised overhead and ready to swing.

[hit and run]

How cool, Jack is Back.

You need a mobile device to liveblog tomorrow's round for JOM.

And Sunday!

[Extraneus]

I tend to agree that it's unimportant which candidate "wins" the Iranian election. What's important is to try to leverage the situation so as to topple the regime.

If regime change is a strategic objective of 0bama's, it's possible that being quiet is a valid tactic right now. But that's a big "if."

[Danube of Thought]

I think you've got it right, Hit.

[Thomas Collins]

I think as between Obama and HRC, hit and run, you are correct. I was thinking more of Obama/GW Bush and Obama/Palin comparisons.

By the way, although I didn't go by your area in my travels, I really appreciated the offer of hospitality on my journey. It was great to hear from a JOMer while I was driving through Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, even though the JOMer was a little east of where I was!

[sylvia]

Glenn Beck is still hot on the Acorn trail. I am almost worried for him that he is being this bold. I'm sure some higher ups pinkos are not pleased with him.

[sylvia]

Another question is, does the CIA have some info on the new guy Mosavi(sp?) and know he is not a good guy but don't want to tell us and mess up their sources? He was after all hand picked. In this case Obama might have a good excuse.

[Danube of Thought]

Newt will never be elected. Neither will Palin. Someone else must emerge; thank goodness we have three years.

[BobS]

(whispering)Romney, DOT

[hit and run]

TC:
I think as between Obama and HRC, hit and run, you are correct. I was thinking more of Obama/GW Bush and Obama/Palin comparisons.

I suppose Yale undergrad and Harvard MBA isn't as exciting as Harvard Law...

And I submit Roberts and Alito to your friends in Mass for their consideration of credentials.

The intellectual/educational snobbery is a front for purely ideological enmity.

And I count it my loss that you were a little east of me, TC.

[JM Hanes]

TM:

"I am worried about another Tiananmen...."

Then you are not nearly worried enough. This is a rupture within the "Islamic establishment" itself. Khameini tacitly loosed the dogs today. If the massive protests continue and Rafsanjani cannot tie Khameini's hands and reign in Ahmadinejad, the bloodletting in Iran will make Tiananmen look like Kent State.

[Thomas Collins]

I agree with you on Newt, DOT, but I am going to have to differ on Palin. I think that as Americans get tired of the blend of Chicago thug politics, Ayersian world view informed by Gramscian philosophy and regal arrogance of this crew, Palin is going to look like a refreshing alternative. Without September's financial market meltdown, the story in November would have been how the gritty John McCain, given a shot in the arm by Palin, took the White House (I think that is a reasonable interpretation of reliable tracking polls such as Rasmussen, which showed that McCain's lead was holding before financial market meltdown).

Reagan in '77 didn't look like a great bet in 1980.

[Jane]

Then you are not nearly worried enough.

I completely agree, and if it is going to happen it will probably start in the next several hours. I think it's around 2:15 in the morning there.

[PeterUK]

The spine of Obama?

Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
"Oh, hear the word of the Lord."

The toe bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the head bone,
Oh, hear the word of the Lord!

Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Oh, hear the word of the Lord.

The head bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected to the toe bone,
Oh, hear the word of the Lord!

[hit and run]

The House passed it's resolution supporting the people of Iran. Two people abstained, everyone else voted for it, except one representative.

Wanna take a guess http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/06/and_obama_didnt_bow_to_the_sau.asp>who that was?

And then Ron Paul, the only person to vote against the House resolution, explained that he did so because he "admired President Obama’s cautious approach to the situation in Iran and I would have preferred that we in the House had acted similarly."

Of course, Paul is wrong to think he's aligned with Obama,right?

We know that because the WH decided to...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98TU14G0&show_article=1>...send in Gibbs!

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 wait.

"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."

Gibbs thinks Obama supports that? He thinks???

Of course, he would know Obama supports that if Obama had actually come out and said that he supports that.

As it is, Gibbs is in the same position the rest of us are...

We can only speculate.

[Thomas Collins]

The folks going up against Khamenei and Ahmadinejad were among the 1979 folks who overthrew the Shah. I doubt they would be acting as they are if they didn't have guns behind them and in front of them. Yes, this could get bloody quickly, but, unlike Tiannanmen, the ruling faction is also going to bleed, even if they are able ultimately to remain in power.