Yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who rigged the Iranian election in cahouts cahoots with the Supreme Leader, thereby undermining any theoretical legitimacy the regime had, asked President Barack Obama to show "repentence" regarding his statements condemning the repression in Iran.
President Obama responded today, leaving no question regarding his toughness:
Standing next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama said the United States and Germany share "one voice" in condemning the Iranian effort to crush dissent. He said Iran's leaders cannot hide the "outrageous" behavior of clamping down violently on their people.
"We see it and we condemn it," Obama said.
Said Merkel: "We will not forget this."
Obama scoffs at Ahmadinejad apology demand
More, after the fold
President Obama:
"The rights of the Iranian people to assemble, to speak freely, to have their voices heard, those are universal aspirations," Obama said at a White House news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "Their bravery in the face of brutality is a testament to their enduring pursuit of justice. The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous."
Obama praises protesters who question Iran election
President Obama is handling this very well, in spite of Republican jingoism. I'm sure we will hear the demogogues in the Republican Party talking about "Obama's apology tour," blah, blah, blah, but they do not understand the difference between real strength based on democratic convictions and their own political games.
Can you imagine how useless and even dangerous a President McCain would have been?
Update: In the comments, karenc13 points out that he also smacked Ahmadinehjad, quoting President Obama:
"I would suggest that Mr. Ahmadinejad think carefully about the obligations he owes to his own people. He might want to consider looking at the families of those who have been beaten or shot or detained."
karenc13: He also smacked Ahmadinehjad