Why Obama not speaking out so far on Iran..is the best thing to do at this point in time

[Peacetrain]

Because it has kept all of us, involved, on all sides of the political spectrum, and kept twittering up and supporting the Iranian dissidents. If Obama weighs in too early, it will become a political football for the Iranian establishment to do a Tienanmen Square number. As it is now, it is all on the Iranian powers that be, and they are being exposed on a world wide stage.

But it is paramount for us to speak out on the citizen level.

Edit to add.. The President has spoke out on the violence.. but he is not trying to do what McCain and the Republicans have been pushing for, putting ourselves in the middle of it.

[Forkboy]

1. I like his approach far better than the cowboy bluster we just dealt with for 8 years.

I have no problems with how Obama is handling this. And besides, outside of talking tough, there's really not much we can do anyways. And talking tough wouldn't make a difference at all.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

2. Exactly, there is no real end-game to playing the bluster card.

[Peacetrain]

3. There is less than zero we can do militarily.. you are right about tough

talk doing nothing. Words do matter, and to go off half cocked with nothing to back it up, would bring down a hellstorm of violence on the dissidents.

Ahhh but what is going on in the net roots, keeping it on the front page is going to put a pressure on the Ayatollahs, that could not be accomplished any other way

[Lithos]

6. Iran is in the midst of trying to win the hearts and minds of the Middle East

They are supporters of many groups scattered throughout the Middle East. Much of their support is based on helping the underdog, but in reality is an attempt to export the same type of hate and pseudo-theocratic fascism that you see in ample evidence today. If the US were to get in, then it would be easier for Khamenei of claiming US interference and then saying that they too are "underdogs".

By avoiding this, it becomes rather apparent that Khamenei is NOT an underdog and someone who is trying desperately to maintain power as an autocrat.

[Lithos]

4. Playing the swagger card

Such as Bush would have done, would have taken the spotlight away from the protesters and back on the President. Not in any way constructive.

Old saying - when someone is in the midst of making a mistake (Khamenei), do not interrupt them lest you get accused of that mistake.

L-

[Peacetrain]

5. Bingo

[JI7]

13. they probably woudln't have protested if Bush was in office

at least not on the level now. and Ahmadinejad would probably have really won.

[mvd]

7. And it's not like he hasn't made his position clear

He's just not meddling like Bush did.

[jenmito]

8. Hot-headed McCain said the Iranians shouldn't have to live under Ahmadinejad

for 4 more years. I'm SO glad he's not president.

[JI7]

14. so that's why he wanted to bomb iran ?

sorry but i can't stop bringing that up. he is such a clueless hypocrite.

[Autumn]

9. He deserves high marks

on this. How refreshing after the bullshit from the last eight years.

[sisters6]

10. Obama spoke to Iranian Leaders today. check LBN

[Adelante]

11. I think Obama is handling it in the right way

The last thing the opposition needs is for the government to be able to start charging them with being tools of the West, unpatriotic, spies, and whatnot. Obama sees the delicacy of their situation and the protesters very likely don't want Obama placed in a position where his diplomatic efforts for the future will be stymied, either, no matter the outcome of the current situation.

[JI7]

12. Iranians, Iranian Americans, Iran Scholars etc all say Obama is doing the right thing

but it's McCain and the other Republicans in Congress who know better than them.

John "Bomb Iran" McCain.

[Colobo]

15. Obama is letting the Iranian people call the shots, which is exactly

what he should be doing.