Major Garrett to Obama on Iran: Um, what took you so long?
posted at 5:35 pm on June 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
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“I don’t think that’s accurate,” saith The One. Except that it is: Not until today did he explicitly condemn the insane brutality going on in Tehran, replete with coerced confessions about foreign powers and $3,000 “bullet fees” — yes, really — charged to parents whose children were gunned down in the protests. But then, this has been Obama’s M.O. all along, dating back to the blowup over Wright during the campaign. First he issues some weak, heavily qualified half-denunciation in hopes that the crisis will go away, then it doesn’t go away and everyone gets angry, then he comes back and covers his ass by saying how appalled or outraged he is or whatever — assuring us all the while that he’s been “perfectly consistent” throughout. Even the AP’s getting tired of his shtick:
It’s the pundits job to second-guess, Obama said, but “only I’m the president of the United States.”
Which is why he tried to balance every hands-on critique of the Iranian government with a caveat that he’s hands-off.
Hands on: “The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged …”
Hands off: The Iranian people can speak for themselves.”
Hands on: “We deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere it takes place.”
Hands off: The accusations of U.S. meddling “are patently false.”
Hands on: “…. threats, beatings and imprisonments …”
Hands off: “The United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not at all interfering in Iran’s affairs.”
Chuck Todd tried to badger him into listing what “consequences” there’ll be for Iran’s abuses but that’s really a pointless question. The whole point of Obama’s behavior this past week is that he doesn’t want there to be any consequences. He’s trying to get closer to the regime, not push it away; who knows if he’d have even held this presser today if not for the video of Neda getting shot in the heart going globally viral. As you’ll see at the end, he still won’t even commit to disinviting Iranian diplomats from America’s July 4th celebrations, which at this point is kind of like inviting Hamas to celebrate Yom Kippur. Awful.
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he’s so cool.
homesickamerican on June 23, 2009 at 5:36 PM
That’d be an interesting montage for someone to create, wouldn’t it? Maybe someone with video skills.
Obama’s presser with a little video box in the bottom corner as if they were happening at the same time.
lorien1973 on June 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM
It’s the pundits job to second-guess, Obama said, but “only I’m the president of the United States.”
Dear gawd, did he really say that? If so, he takes narcassisism to a new level. What a disgrace.
txag92 on June 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM
I’m convinced that spending one’s teen years in Indonesia, and being a community organizer, prepares one for any international situation.
I’m convinced.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
its unforgivable for barry to wait over a week to speak out in defense for the peaceful protestors. It’s not what young people like Neda died for to have the leader of the free world be so passive.
ousoonerfan15 on June 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
lorien1973,
no
rob verdi on June 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Weak. I would have thrown a shoe at his face if I was there.
javamartini on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
But O’s one-half of People Magazine’s Sexiest Power Couple!!!11!
Greg Toombs on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Too bad he missed the chance to invite Iran to hotdogs on March 5. That is the anniversary of the Boston Massacre in 1770.
pedestrian on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
How many uh’s in this little speech? I counted 18
upinak on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I was a little surprised at the stumbling, bumbling non-answer to the 4th of July picnic invitation.
I would think his handlers would have seen that question coming and prepared him for it better.
myrenovations on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
lorien,
not your idea, but would be holding the presser.
rob verdi on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
“Track what I have been saying…”
“profoundly concerned”…?
I think I’m going to check the transcripts.
Glenn Jericho on June 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Mayflower lost my spine.
jdkchem on June 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM
That is what I don’t understand. I think Obama sees this uprising as more of an irritation to his huge plan to appease to the Iranians. Who is Obama more upset with, the Mullahs or the protesters?
If your having a problem answering that question, than Obama has already failed at having any credibility in the issue.
Good post allah.
portlandon on June 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Hands off
Hands on
Hands off
Hands on he still is in favor of his hot dog party.
fourdeucer on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
He didn’t even handle the question from the Huffpo person – which was staged – very well.
lorien1973 on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
The pop culture rags are itching to put Barack or Michelle on their covers ASAP…the Jon & Kate run is probably winding down.
StevefromMKE on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
is anybody eating that sh*t sandwich oboobi’s serving up?
SHARPTOOTH on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Had to wait until regime had safely put down the uprising before he could safely speak out.
TheBigOldDog on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I’ll take a whack at it.
“I’m the king. Don’t question me.”
Daggett on June 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Message to Fence Sitter-In-Chief:
Be VERY CAREFULL not to get a fence post up your butt shifting back and forth like that.
44Magnum on June 23, 2009 at 5:43 PM
The most irritation part of Obama press conference is when he said something to the effect:
“I’m not taking a stand until I see how this all plays out.”
WTF?
portlandon on June 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Even my biggest libtard friend admitted last night that he was “uh… kinda disappointed” in Obama not at least speaking forcefully about Iran. When I began listing all of the things The One has decided to “vote present” on, my friend changed the subject to Bush. They can’t stand to face up to the fact that this guy is the biggest phony to hold this office since Carter… maybe longer. At least Carter sorta kinda liked America when he was in office.
Sugar Land on June 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Jager or Jack? ;-p
ladyingray on June 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Arrogant asshat.
txsurveyor on June 23, 2009 at 5:45 PM
About time some body from Fox ask him a hard ?.After all the NY Times said yesterday that Shep Smith was the only good Reporter at Fox.That tells you ever thing you want to know about Shep and others at Fox.
thmcbb on June 23, 2009 at 5:46 PM
i wonder how long before he picks up on the story that Neda’s death was a set up by the protesters.
ctmom on June 23, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Arrogant azzhat.
txsurveyor on June 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
fudgecicle-in-chief
jdkchem on June 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Great post Allah. I missed this live (at work). I’m so glad Major Garrett finally had the ba**s to ask him a question like that.
Pathetic….
davek70 on June 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
heh heh heh, betcha major never gets called again….
SHARPTOOTH on June 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
He said it at least once more, to distinguish his comments about Iran from McCain’s and Graham’s. I start to wonder who he’s trying to convince.
ProfessorMiao on June 23, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Consistently inconsistent.
Our President apologizing for the murders of young Iranians in the street! Speaking as clear as mud. Obama should be held accountable for his appalling attitudes about the Iranian dictatorship.
Is there any shining city anymore? Paris? Not Washington under Obama.
petunia on June 23, 2009 at 5:48 PM
hands off a free iranian people
hands on an ice cream cone
thedude on June 23, 2009 at 5:49 PM
And yet, our Dear Leader’s approval ratings are still at 59% . . .
Good grief.
Special K on June 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Whenever Obama starts a response with the phrase: “As we’ve said all along…” — you know you’re about to hear a bald-faced lie.
cruadin on June 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
He is already crafting a Helen Thomas body suit with velcro quick release.
portlandon on June 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I like someone’s explanation from another thread:
“My teleprompter was in the shop.”
Daggett on June 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Hands on, hands off. The “Jon Stewart School of How to Address Every Politically-Sensitive Issue Evah” has a new valedictorian.
Flyover Country on June 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Just wait until Obama goes to the summit and on the tarmac in Tehran he says “I’m here, talking and engaging for Neda.”
myrenovations on June 23, 2009 at 5:51 PM
The man is an arrogant, gutless, opportunist.
WisCon on June 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
The Precedent just makes me sick. He belongs in jail.
progressoverpeace on June 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
PRESENT, PRESENT, PRESENT, PRESENT, PRESENT,,,
There Barry,, that should take care of your next presser …
dugbru on June 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the second coming of Woodrow Wilson. A panty waste if ever there was one.
DrW on June 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
He spent his teenage years in Hawaii. He was 10 (10!) when he was shipped out of Indonesia and off to his grandparents.
That he has ever had the gall to cite living in Indonesia as a child as a foreign policy credential is astounding. That the press bought it is indicative of their absolute lack of objectivity.
He really doesn’t like critical questions, does he. His manner is almost as if he’s scolding the audacious inquisitor.
And the non-answer on the question about the invites to 4th of July celebrations is what? His way to say “how dare you ask that question, or question the decision to extend the invitations in the first place”??
ProfessorMiao on June 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Uh…racist. Hee hee. I was thinking chocolate covered frozen banana.
HornetSting on June 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
O/T Why doesn’t he use his health care to get thing off his nose?
fourdeucer on June 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Not Just Cool, But Clean! AS@HAT
Dr_Irish on June 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
I think Major Garrett deserves the Brass Balls award.
I just about fell out of my chair when I heard him ask that question. I bet the next press conference FNC doesn’t get a question.
therightscoop on June 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Dammit, why cant Obama be more of a knee-jerk reactionary!
orange on June 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Bingo! You’re absolutely right.
ProfessorMiao on June 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Especially when the fact is that, having grown up in Indonesia made his time spent in the US more of a “foreign experience” for him. The Precedent is a true third-worlder, all the way to his core. That’s why he hates America and the West so much.
progressoverpeace on June 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM
It is just like the Russian/Georgia thing. He just wants everybody to calm down and get along. As if there was no right or wrong involved at all.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
I think there’s an element of this in the Obama strategy, but it’s just part of the reasoning behind his approach.
As Bolton said on Hannity, we are in no position to actually assist an Iranian uprising, so to stoke the flames of the protests only to sit back and watch them beat down would not have been a responsible thing to do.
Obama has walked a fine line between supporting the ideals of freedom of expression and dissent, while not explicitly support the supporters or their candidate, because, in the end, we’re not ready, able or quit frankly willing to give them any concrete assistance at the moment.
Also, if the U.S. or perhaps even the U.N. or other Western entities lead a charge to overturn this election, it will be framed by the current regime as yet another instance of the West meddling in their affairs, which would no doubt rally a significant portion of the population around the regime.
Obama is being hands off and allowing the movement to be purely Iranian. They may not win during this election, but the movement is unlikely to stop, and if it grows perhaps they win the next election. And if there’s another fraudulent (assuming this one was fraudulent) election, you’d probably see a stronger, more organized resistance which may be strong enough to accept foreign assistance.
Tom_Shipley on June 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
progressoverpeace:
Not only that, consider what kind of a country Indonesia is.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
He’s so dreamy!
Lehosh on June 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
BHO is a moron who has no idea what he’s doing, but is trying his hardest to destroy America.
Don’t try and make excuses for the treasonous idiot.
progressoverpeace on June 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Tom:
Oh please. Obama is a coward. A self serving coward. Purely Iranian my ass.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Exactly, as many of us have been screaming about since the campaign.
progressoverpeace on June 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Was it me or did he start showing more and more aggitation as this thing went on. This ought to get really good when the heat starts being turned up. And it will.
HoustonRight on June 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
When the lefty journalists get together to exchange “ideas” they call it Journo-List.
Is there an organized Troll-o-List for the talking points of the day or the week?
myrenovations on June 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Obama: “Major Garrett. Where’s Major?
Garrett: “Right here, Sir.”
Obama: “Could you call me President? It’s just a…thing. I worked so hard to get this title.”
blink on June 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Major, one of the essential tenants of Ayers’ Marxist manifesto is to destroy the idea of American Exceptionalism.
This is why Obama can’t project America as the main voice of freedom in the world.
Ask Obama if he believes America is uniquely qualified to give voice to freedom around the world.
faraway on June 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Oh yes said Tom, when Obama totally ignored the people dying in the streets he was not being insensitive. Oh no…he just knew that if he acted like he gave a rat’s ass the mullahs would use it to do bad things, like shoot people. So Obama being the wise and wonderful and beautiful and God like leader that he is, decided that acting like it was none of our business was the best thing to do for those silly little Iranians who are getting in the way of things.
sigh. Yes, I am being sarcastic.
I think he could tell you day was dark and night was light the earth was flat and you would just gobble it up.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Tom_Shipley on June 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM
are you a graduate of the oboobi school of bull sh*t?
SHARPTOOTH on June 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
His facial expression was about as empty as his words. I’m not even sure what he was trying to say.
patriette on June 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM
I mean really, Obama has no problem getting right in the middle of Israel’s business. But now he thinks he can take credit for the whole Iranian thing by citing his Cairo speech and be hands off at the same time. What a demagogue.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
tenanttenetfaraway on June 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
He said it at least once more, to distinguish his comments about Iran from McCain’s and Graham’s. I start to wonder who he’s trying to convince.
ProfessorMiao on June 23, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Good grief. I can’t wait til someone or something brings bozo back to earth.
txag92 on June 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
AP: Do you have a copy of the speech Sarah Palin was to make at the U.N. protest, before she got disinvited by the organizers? I remember reading it a long time ago, I’ll bet there’s plenty of timely “told you so” value in it. Might be worth re-posting.
Crusty on June 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Hello? Is anybody home?
That’s not the point.
If Obama thinks he handled this so perfectly, then he NEEDS to own up to exactly what he said and when.
The truth is that he attempted to dial up the rhetoric as time went on. If he’s so proud of his handling, then he need to admit what he didn’t say and when he didn’t say it.
blink on June 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
“Consequences?”
Obama has spent a lifetime avoiding “consequences.”
Bad things are always somebody else’s fault…never his. Just look at his known public life from Hawaii to LA to Harvard to Chicago…and on to Washington, as a Senator and now President.
Look at the rhetoric. Dissect his speeches and pressers. Look at how he presents legislation and new programs…if it is questionable, it is somebody else who stands in the way or mucks things up. If it is successful, or appears successful, regardless of who came up with the idea, it is his…totally.
None of this is about the people of Iran…everything is about Obama. Period. None of this is about the people of the United States, either. It is all about Obama. Period.
We’ve 1306 days of this to look forward to. Any chance the citizens of this Nation will get a clue?
coldwarrior on June 23, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Obama has so many people and organizations wanting to wash his feet, it’s a wonder he ever has time to wear shoes!
Cybergeezer on June 23, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Don’t let Tom stress you, tooth. He is one of our resident idiots here at HA and we keep him around for laughs. It’s always good to know what the enemy is doing.
HornetSting on June 23, 2009 at 6:06 PM
I’ve tried, really tried, to find something that I can say I like or admire about Obama. I can’t.
jimmy2shoes on June 23, 2009 at 6:06 PM
An earlier poster asked why Chicago jesus’ handlers had not prepared him for a possible July 4th. question. I am starting to realize (ok confirmed) that these loons in the administration have absolutely no common sense or grasp on reality and a sense of propriety.eg. Throwing flowers on the pile at the 9-11 ceremony, lame gifts for Gordon Brown. Do you think someone this past weekend could have said “Mr.President—I mean dude, don’t you think next week might be better for an outing for ice cream?” Most of us learn from our mistakes and don’t repeat them. These turds don’t think they have made mistakes and will keep acting the same way. You wouldn’t understand its uh uh liberal thing.
arnold ziffel on June 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
You effing retards, yeah lets just get involved with another middle eastern mess. Its not like we aren’t stretched thin already now. jeez
Terry Silver on June 23, 2009 at 6:07 PM
You know, you got me thinking, geezer, as to WHY obama doesn’t want any lists of visitors to the WH released. I’ll bet that he doesn’t want anyone to know that some company came in and installed a footbath for him….hmmm.
HornetSting on June 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM
His facial expression was about as empty as his SOUL. I’m not even sure what he was trying to say.
Mojave Mark on June 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Not a nice way to talk about Obama.
JiangxiDad on June 23, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Who lit the fuse on your tampon?
Thanks again, hog. love it!
HornetSting on June 23, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Hey guys, forget all this work stuff… hamburgers and ice cream on me!
d1carter on June 23, 2009 at 6:10 PM
A simple statement from the White House…last week…merely saying “We support the freedom of the people of Iran and trust in their ability to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds.” would have been sufficient involvement.
Over half the population has known nothing but the heel of the mullahtocracy for the past 30 years. We do not need to send in the First MarDiv. We merely have to take a stand, based on our own national ethics and the principles espoused by our own Founders.
Given that simple encouragement, the young people of Iran can handle the rest.
coldwarrior on June 23, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Good job. You just revealed yourself. Do you really think our involvement in Iran just started?
Don’t answer that. PLEASE
HoustonRight on June 23, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Please don’t spoil the WH plans for the Iranian July 4th picnic! The Iranians Dips will be get that ’special goat meat’ from the back of the grill.
Oh wait! That was Bush’s plan. Scratch that…
Dr. Dog on June 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Terry:
Retards? Please. The mullahs have been killing Americans for years. The UN has been doing this tap dance with these people for years. It is not as if the Iranian regime was not a problem until now. Hell there were people on the left who swore Bush would invade that country before he left office. He did not of course, but it is not as if this whole incident means that all of a sudden we might not be friends anymore.
I don’t think anyone expects Obama to send in the Marines, but he could at least be as supportive of the people of Iran as the President of France is.
Terrye on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
How dare those reporters question THE ONE.
Exit question: What’s Barry going to do when his Obamanomics fail and the press finally realizes that He’s a flop and probably makin’ shit up day by day?
GarandFan on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Tom, let me help you out. It’s sad to see you trying to come up with all these ridiculous excuses for the Traitor-in-Chief, so just stick to the basic argument (which will always apply to The Precedent’s asinine policies and stances):
The deer is not frozen by the headlights … he’s just studying the bulbs very carefully.
You’ll find your task of defending the moron much easier if you stick to this general explanation.
progressoverpeace on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Obama did just as he did in the IL state Senate; vote “present”, wait for the dust to settle, figure out which side was safest and popular and stake it out as his own.
drjohn on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
That is very telling. Did you tell your friemd that Bush is no longer President?
Del Dolemonte on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
But he’s a fencepost TURTLE. Nobody knows how he got there, but somebody else put him there.
Paging David Axelrod–you need to pull some puppet strings here! Pinocchio’s in trouble, wishing on too many stars!
Steve Z on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
2009 White House=2009 Romper Room
the Coondawg on June 23, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Given that simple encouragement, the young people of Iran can handle the rest.
coldwarrior on June 23, 2009
eh, I think not. That is like showing up to a gunfight with a pickle in your hand. The people of that country are not armed.
Dr. Dog on June 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
They then enrolled him in an exclusive school that let its students beat up kids solely for the crime of their being white.
Del Dolemonte on June 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
The protesters under the bus go thump, thump, thump.
Speakup on June 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Hey; HornetSting;
Maybe a foot bath Czar?
Cybergeezer on June 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Boy that picture of The Rookie’s face is priceless.
It practically screams “I have NEVER been pointedly questioned or criticised in public by ANYONE about ANYTHING EVAH, so STOP IT!! Leave Me Alone, I am The Chosen One!!!”
Unquestionably the most insecure thin-skinned, unused-to- criticism-of-any-kind President in a loooooooooooong while.
Totally reminds me of THIS expression.
Mike D. on June 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM
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