The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Gibbs Backs Off Iran Statement

Text Size

The Spectacle Blog

Gibbs Backs Off Iran Statement

By Philip Klein on 8.5.09 @ 12:12PM

After yesterday calling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the "elected leader" of Iran, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs reversed himself today, Reuters reports:

"Let me correct a little bit of what I said yesterday. I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say that's not for me to pass judgment on," Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Absolute amateur hour.

View all comments (11) | Leave a comment

Liberal Reader| 8.5.09 @ 12:32PM

What damage, Klein?

You're attributing the "damage" done by a repressive regime in Iran to the president's press secretary.

The president can only do harm meddling in the internal affairs of Iran.

Do you know nothing about the history of the relationship between the United States and Iran?

Your posts betray either bad faith or a sophomoric over-idealization of how much influence the president has over what happens in a country like Iran.

Bill Pearce| 8.5.09 @ 12:58PM

I may be a little bit confused. Exactly what credibility does the Obama administration has on Iran.
Currently the Iranian government has proved it will not respond to outside pressure by shooting its own people. Also by not criticizing the Iranian government behavior during the recent riots, he has lost the respect of both the right and left. He ruled out the use of force and thus proved his irresolution to the international community. Exactly what credibility does Obama have left. I see none.

John Thacker| 8.5.09 @ 1:00PM

Liberal Reader--

Not a hint of embarrassment that you defended as something that "any President would do" a statement that Gibbs is now reversing.

"The president can only do harm meddling in the internal affairs of Iran."

Indeed, and presuming to know who was elected president of Iran is meddling in my book.

Bill Pearce| 8.5.09 @ 1:11PM

On the other hand, Obama could send the Clinton's ( one or both ) to Iran to gain the release of the wayward hikers. If the hikers are released, Obama wins the respect of the diplomatic community . If the Mullahs tosses the Clinton delegation into a cell next to the hikers, Obama gets rid of a annoying rival. So Obama wins either way.

Liberal Reader| 8.5.09 @ 1:22PM

The press secretary is attempting to placate people who -- understandably, I guess -- want to get some spit in the eye of the Iranian establishment.

We're Americans: we ALL want the protestors to win.

You have to understand, however, that if it looks even for a second that those protests are planned or implemented from some basement in Langley, they'll LOSE THE SUPPORT of the Iranian public.

The protests and calls for reform must continue to be perceived as originating with the Iranian people, not with spooks in DC.

Bill Pearce| 8.5.09 @ 1:52PM

To: Liberal Reader

I suggest you try changing your meds. You are insane.
Of course the Mullahs would claim the protests and riots are caused by the CIA. They have been making the same claim for decades. Of course the Iranian people do not believe the Mullahs. The Iranian people are rioting against the rule of the Mullahs.
If the liberalism-dominion can not tell the difference between a faux protest and a real protest then America is in real trouble. Eventually in any community political pressures will build up and will explode when long suppressed. If you do not know the difference between the real and the unreal that is the definition of insanity.

Liberal Reader| 8.5.09 @ 2:10PM

The only thing that makes me question my sanity is that I keep making the mistake of reading posts by people like you thinking they may present a rational argument.

Your ignorance about Iran is appalling, since there's some journalists have -- to their peril -- done a great job rep0rting this story and its historical context.

The Mullahs in Iran, while not worshiped as gods, enjoy quite a good deal of support.

That's difficult for us to understand, but Iran is a different country, with a different culture.

Growing pressure is being put on the Mullahs to reform, not vanish.

Look --

Instead of emitting opinions, go READ something about Iran, you fool. It is clear you don't have the first idea what you're talking about.

The ignorance in this country about Iran and other countries in that region of the world is not only disgracefu, it's goddamn dangerous.