Obama: U.S. has asked Iran to return downed surveillance drone Update: Video added
posted at 2:40 pm on December 12, 2011 by Tina Korbe
According to a tweet from the Associated Press (and a spate of snarky follow-up tweets from conservative pundits), the president announced today that the United States has officially asked Iran to return a downed U.S. surveillance drone.
Iranian officials said just yesterday they have absolutely no intention to return the drone — but I’m sure it’s a different story now that the president has asked nicely for it. As S.E. Cupp tweeted, “Obama on the wayward drone: We’ve asked for it back. I for one feel good about its prompt return.” Yes, yes: No doubt the Iranians will get right on that. Meantime, they’ve already mined it for most of the data they wanted.
Not sure what the president’s line of thinking is on this. He obviously didn’t react to the news of the downed drone quickly enough to reassure anxious Americans. Making the request now just highlights his ineffectuality on this. It would appear that Rick Perry was right at the debate Saturday, when he said the president chose the worst possible response to the news that Iran had a U.S. drone in its possession. As Perry put it, “This president is the problem.”
Update: Here’s the president’s infamous call for Iranian cooperation. “We’ll see how the Iranians respond,” he says. Don’t hold your breath.
Blowback
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Smrt power.
rogerb on December 12, 2011 at 2:43 PM
Again, playground rules.
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 2:43 PM
I feel safer now because he asked.
bobsacramento on December 12, 2011 at 2:44 PM
We will get it back when Libya hands over Megrahi.
Christien on December 12, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Well, of course they’ll give it back. After all, he’s not BUSH!
notropis on December 12, 2011 at 2:45 PM
So, I’m assuming if an Iranian, North Korean or Chinese spy plane landed in the US, Obama would gladly return it to them.
Yikes.
ButterflyDragon on December 12, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Understatement of the decade.
DuctTapeMyBrain on December 12, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Well, as per Col. Nathan Jessup, I hope he asked nicely.
Blaise on December 12, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Obviously the problem is that Obama didn’t say, “Pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top.” Because THEN they would have given it back.
I feel reasonably sure that Reagan might have frozen some Iranian funds until our property was returned to us unmolested. Obama, of course, is no Reagan.
clayj on December 12, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Leadership in action.
shick on December 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Democrats don’t care about issues revolving around America’s well-being. That’s why he hasn’t said anything about this..and that’s why his late response is pathetic and weak!
WhatsRight on December 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM
“Pretty, please” — Obama
“Get….” — Iran
Obama has made a mockery of freedom and liberty and especially of the U.S.
For good reasons the U.S. must be mocked into eternal shame, for voting such a narcissistic inept into such a significant position.
All who voted for him deserve utter destruction.
Schadenfreude on December 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Did he bow?
BR549 on December 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Heh, S.E. is always good for an effective bash against the boy king. She took the words right out of my mouth.
Flora Duh on December 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Let’s see, yesterday Iranian leaders announced they have no plans of returning the drone they captured.
So, today, our fearless leader asks, “What if we say, ‘Pretty please with sugar on it?’”
joejmz on December 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Maybe he should just promise he’ll bow to the Mullahs next time they are in town.
pilamaye on December 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM
And we’ll have China pay for the shipping costs for you.
More seriously, why did he say this? What’s the point?
SteveMG on December 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Obama: ….”but I said pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top!!”
journeymike on December 12, 2011 at 2:47 PM
I’m sure he said that he wanted it back, “or else!”…oh, wait…
MikeinPRCA on December 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Whatever – obama gave the drone to Iran (the Pentagon pleaded with him to retrieve or destroy the drone – obama refused, and he should be held accountable for this crime).
Pork-Chop on December 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM
How about we blow up one government building per hour until they return it?
Are we playing hardball or not?
Good Lt on December 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Tina,
Your “they’ve already mined it” link instead points to an AP story on Iraq?
Difficultas_Est_Imperium on December 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM
yes indeedy
cmsinaz on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
Probably should have qualified that I meant THEIR government buildings, not ours.
Good Lt on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
We also asked them not to build nukes and you see how that worked out.
jeffn21 on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
It worked so well for Carter.
cozmo on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
He should have triple dog dared them to return it… every body knows you have take a triple dog dare
Achele175 on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
Never forget that Peggy Noonan, the oh-so-’bright’ Althouse and Mr. Buckley’s son, also Brooks and Condi Rice all voted for the pretender in chief.
Suffer dire consequences for it, you fools.
Schadenfreude on December 12, 2011 at 2:49 PM
I heard that Bwanee Fwaank is on his way to Iran to personally take delivery of that drone , is it true :D
burrata on December 12, 2011 at 2:50 PM
I’ll bet he was on that bike and wearing that helmet when he asked….
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
The latest chapter from Obama’s new book:
“Everything I know about foreign policy, I Learned in Kindergarten”
PackerBronco on December 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
with a big red bow and a nice note from dear leader…
cmsinaz on December 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Either/or. We could start with the Department of Education.
notropis on December 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Like a vintage drinking bird.
shick on December 12, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Was Eric Holder involved? Could this have been Drone Walking?
You know, just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after me…
MikeinPRCA on December 12, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Dogs are considered impure and unholy in islam.
Our POTUS would never offend a brother
burrata on December 12, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Sure, the Iranians will give it back, for a higher ransom than for those morons who hiked over the Iraq/Iran border.
Steve Z on December 12, 2011 at 2:53 PM
I asked God to make me look like George Clooney..
hillsoftx on December 12, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Can we please use this as an opportunity to analyze how our candidates would handle this issue????? Thoughts?
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Obama: Pretty please may we have our drone back.
Iran: The physical appearance of the please makes no difference.
dmn1972 on December 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM
What a CLOWN!
KOOLAID2 on December 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Definitely. The Iranians are able to take the position they do because they know that the occupant of the White House has no intention of doing anything but asking. Were it another individual, they might be a little concern about falling bombs. As it is, they know that Obama is too timid to do anything but talk.
It is this cowardice that utterly disgusts me when he swaggers around and acts as if he personally led Seal Team Six on the raid to get Osama Bin Ladin. The reality is that he played a round of golf and then watched the raid from the comfort of the White House situation center.
Happy Nomad on December 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM
For starters, Romney would probably offer to buy it back…
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Did he bow and say pretty please?
lonestar1 on December 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Nice refinery you have there. Be a real shame if something happened to it.
Southernblogger on December 12, 2011 at 2:57 PM
Yeah, I’m sure they’re preparing to send it back FedEx for you, champ.
Keep leading from behind, Mr. “Present”-dent
ICanSeeNovFromMyHouse on December 12, 2011 at 2:58 PM
LOL
Sven Pook on December 12, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Maybe he could trade it for an iPod loaded with his speeches.
BR549 on December 12, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Great…another war that we have to pay for. When are these politicians going to stop waging useless wars. I’ve got an idea, why don’t we allow Europe, China or Pakistan to deal with it. Why must the US taxpayer fork over their hard earned money for these wars that never seem to end.
MoreLiberty on December 12, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Achele175 on December 12, 2011 at 3:00 PM
I really did laugh out loud when I read this.
ButterflyDragon on December 12, 2011 at 3:02 PM
This is laughable. Would you give back a spycam you found planted outside the bathroom window of your house? Even if the neighbor that put it there pleaded nicely?
Espionage is a cowardly game but you can’t be cowardly when you get caught. Just the way it is. If your guy gets his cover blown, you deny you ever knew him. If you lose a top secret gadget, tough luck. You don’t go on a public sympathy tour; you cover the whole affair up. Those have always been the SOPs. This entire drone thing has been nothing but an embarrassment to the US.
Daikokuco on December 12, 2011 at 3:03 PM
For some reason, I am reminded of accidently loosing the frisbee over the fence to the bully next door. Asking nicely won’t do anything, as the bully only recognizes force.
Grindstone on December 12, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Obama should offer to trade them a Nuclear bomb for the plane.
Once we get the plane, we’ll let them have the bomb….released from 30,000 feet.
portlandon on December 12, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Perry would say “I’m going to give you to the count of 3 to return that drone. One, two, ……”
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 3:05 PM
He forgot to say, “Awww, c’mon, I’ll be your best friend!”
tpitman on December 12, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Perhaps an Obama fundraiser already has the contract to import hundreds of drones from the Chinese, once they get the technology from Iran. We’ll save millions!
Smart Power/
tomg51 on December 12, 2011 at 3:07 PM
yes, fed/ex overnight will work just fine …..oh my…amazing
nchammer on December 12, 2011 at 3:07 PM
“Uh..that dealie-bob that we were using to spy on you? Can we uhh…have that back now?”
KaroleD28 on December 12, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Except in this case, we had the opportunity to blow it up before they mined it. Since Obama is a kitty cat, he decided not to engage in an “act of war” with them.
KaroleD28 on December 12, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Look up clueless in the dictionary and you will see a picture of teh won.
BR549 on December 12, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Kind of like asking Tebow to forfeit the game after they have already kicked the field goal
ConservativePartyNow on December 12, 2011 at 3:11 PM
With that kind of threat and demand I’m sure the drone is on its way back. It’s nice to know Odumbo got right on it and didn’t waste any time in asking.
rjoco1 on December 12, 2011 at 3:12 PM
SH#@!
All the snarky comments are posted already.
(Sending it Fed Ex pronto, Did he bow? etc.)
Oh well…..
Opposite Day on December 12, 2011 at 3:13 PM
Mr Mom Jeans should just pack it in. I mean, asking for our straying military equipment worked out so well for Ike and Frances Gary Powers and El BJ and Lloyd Bucher.
The War Planner on December 12, 2011 at 3:13 PM
This just in: Iran to return US drone as soon as they are able to attach a nuclear device to it!! (We should be getting it back soon!)
Deano1952 on December 12, 2011 at 3:14 PM
did he strenuously ask for its return?
tommy-t on December 12, 2011 at 3:14 PM
Bet Obama promised to bow infront of the mullahs when he comes to visit!
pabo on December 12, 2011 at 3:15 PM
I have no problem with “asking” for it back, so long as it is done off the record using back channels, and so long as it is made abundantly clear that we are not asking so much as demanding–and that this is in no way a negotiation. Gosh, and we can’t guarantee the safety of their foreign guests either if they are anywhere near during the dangerous task of disassembling it.
IOW, nice drone you got there, be a real shame if something happened to it.
Christien on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
I’m waiting for Dinner Jacket’s publicity shot of that drone buzzing the Iranian capitol…
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
*facedesk*
Yakko77 on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Isn’t this sweet? The little wh worm trying to get the little iran worm to give back our drone! My money is on the iran worm, our worm is worthless.
L
letget on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Maybe if he kisses Ahmyholyjerk’s
xxxxxxring…Archivarix on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
..here’s a plan: fly a second one over there and land it. When Aqua-Velevah-Jhad shows up to inspect it, blow the sucker up via satellite.
That’ll teach them goddam ragheads to keep their distance.
The War Planner on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
FIFY.
bigmacdaddy on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
this is an excellent chance to send Ron Paul in so he can make friends with the Iranians.
jp on December 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Saw my first Obama 2012 sticker today. Did a triple take. It’s hard to believe people would still vote for Mr. Open Hand policy here.
JeremiahJohnson on December 12, 2011 at 3:17 PM
This is what passes for our non-existent foreign policy these days. Embarrassing doesn’t even begin to explain it.
CorporatePiggy on December 12, 2011 at 3:18 PM
O is on drugs. Again.
zenron on December 12, 2011 at 3:18 PM
You’ve convinced me that you have better leadership powers than Dear Leader. I’ll vote for you.
KaroleD28 on December 12, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Iran responds…: “ok”
:)
RedManBlueState on December 12, 2011 at 3:19 PM
But did he say “Let me be perfectly clear on this”?
Because, you know, that statement always adds an element of clarity that’s otherwise missing.
Marcola on December 12, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Maybe we can just trade Ron Paul for the drone.
dmn1972 on December 12, 2011 at 3:20 PM
White House officials reporting that the request came with flowers and a Hallmark card.
Meric1837 on December 12, 2011 at 3:21 PM
They just gave Iran more power. You should have blown it up.
If I close eyes I think I can make it to November….if Obama wins, then God help us.
Oil Can on December 12, 2011 at 3:21 PM
The next time we see that drone it will be flying over the White House with a smily face on it :)
RedManBlueState on December 12, 2011 at 3:21 PM
We’ve asked for it back. I for one feel good about its prompt return.”
tinkerthinker on December 12, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Hueydriver on December 12, 2011 at 3:23 PM
No. But he *did* ask officially so, at least we get the public embarrassment, instead of this being all hush hush. Transparancy!
KaroleD28 on December 12, 2011 at 3:24 PM
This does not look good.
NATO Troops in Jordon/Syrian Border
mothra on December 12, 2011 at 3:25 PM
The only thing stopping Navy Seals from going in and destroying the drone is the Obama administration, and probably Obama himself. They could have been in there within 24 hours, no sweat.
Remember when the Germans managed to overrun France whenever they had the urge to do so. Well Obama has turned us into France and every Arab country is now like Germany.
Well done Scooter. No one fears a president who’s been castrated.
fogw on December 12, 2011 at 3:28 PM
Daikokuco on December 12, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Agree!
When I was a kid, my buddy and I had an unspoken agreement that we had to take turns getting our ball back from our neighbor (and his dog). Asking for it was not one of the options.
And I would bet $10,000 that we knew it was down, and its location WELL before they did…
Hueydriver on December 12, 2011 at 3:28 PM
Maybe Carter could help after all he can negotiate with the Iranians so well.
rich801 on December 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM
peregruzka
t8stlikchkn on December 12, 2011 at 3:30 PM
That moment when you turn your back for a second and then notice the dog has one of your shoes in his mouth about to destroy it.
The first thing I do is calmly ask for it back, if that doesn’t work theres always the UN right?
MNcommonsense on December 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Huntsman’s daughters would make a cute video about Dinner Jacket and so he’d send the drone back.
sleepingiantsup on December 12, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Palin would say “Boom, taste my nightstick”
Imadimjihad would probably enjoy that!
lonestar1 on December 12, 2011 at 3:34 PM
I’m curious about whether or not this drone had any sort of self destruct capability as a way to ensure that sensitive info doesn’t get into the wrong hands. It seems with the billions of dollars we spend on this kind of technology it would be a pretty good idea. If anyone has any info that could send me in the right direction could you shoot me an email at roryn00@yahoo.com Any thing would be appreciated.
roryn00 on December 12, 2011 at 3:36 PM
Yoo-hoooo !!
Didn’t you get the sternly worded letter Leon Panetta sent you ?
viking01 on December 12, 2011 at 3:38 PM
Ironic Iranian response: #Sand
Steel on December 12, 2011 at 3:41 PM
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