Whether you are puzzled or appalled or even delighted by Obama’s timidity on Iran, it is worth remembering that Obama did, after all, run for president on a “talk to anyone, anywhere” sort of foreign policy platform. True, many of us might not have expected that to include those who violently repress their citizens. But still – he didn’t run on a platform advocating democracy and freedom for repressed people around the globe. That was the other guy.
Speaking of whom, CNN reports on John McCain’s reaction:
“On this issue, I do not believe that the president is taking a leadership that is incumbent upon an American president, which we have throughout modern history, and that is to advocate for human rights and freedom — and free elections are one of those fundamentals,” the Arizona Republican told John Roberts on CNN’s American Morning.
President Obama Tuesday said that he has deep concerns over the election results in Iran, but stressed that “it’s not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling, the U.S. president meddling in Iranian elections.”
McCain disputed that assessment. “We’re not meddling in any country’s affairs when we call for free and fair elections and the ability of people to exercise their human rights,” he said Monday. “And when they disagree with a flawed or corrupt election, as the Iranian people have, [not] to be beaten and even killed in the streets.”
Once again, we see that elections have consequences in America — where elections are free and the results respected.
