Obama to McCain on Iran: 'I'm the president'

The Hill, Washington, DC ^ | 2009-06-23 | Sam Youngman

[rabscuttle385]

In a wide-ranging midday press conference, President Obama took on Republican critics of his stance on Iran, directly targeting former rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and saying, "I am the president of the United States."

Obama, who has been accused by McCain and other Republicans of being too timid throughout the unrest following Iran's presidential elections, has gradually taken a firmer stance in the days following the election.

. . . . .

"The Iranian people can speak for themselves," Obama said in the James S. Brady Briefing Room. "That is precisely what has happened these last few days. In 2009, no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice. Despite the Iranian government’s efforts to expel journalists and isolate itself, powerful images and poignant words have made their way to us through cell phones and computers, and so we have watched what the Iranian people are doing."

When asked if his tougher talk was influenced by critics like McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Obama smiled and said, "What do you think?

"I think John McCain has genuine passion about many of these international issues," Obama said, adding that they share a desire to see free speech respected. "But only I'm the president of the United States.

"Members of Congress, they've got their constitutional duties, and I'm sure they'll carry them out in a way they think is appropriate," Obama said. "I'm the president of the United States, and I'll carry out my responsibilities the way I think is appropriate."

[rabscuttle385]

[VaRepublican]

One can dislike him all one wants but he has a point, He is the President.

[Jim Robinson]

Great pic of Alfred E. Newman!

[DemforBush]

The line between reality and parody just keeps getting thinner with 0bama.

[freekitty]

No, Obama you are not President of the United States. You have not proved yourself eligible.

[livius]

Hmm, that didn’t seem to stop Bambi from going around pretending to be the President before he was (or even before he was elected).

My, is he one touchy, thin-skinned little boy!

[Jim Robinson]

That’s right. And no one can question him.

[shadeaud]

Then act like the President, not black Jimmy Carter

[Mr. Mojo]

"I am the president of the United States."

Yet another version of "I won." Obama appears to be constantly trying to convince both himself and others that the election actually happened. ...that this all isn't a Twilight Zone phenomenon.

[SolidWood]

"The Iranian people can speak for themselves," Obama said in the James S. Brady Briefing Room. "That is precisely what has happened these last few days. In 2009, no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice. Despite the Iranian government’s efforts to expel journalists and isolate itself, powerful images and poignant words have made their way to us through cell phones and computers, and so we have watched what the Iranian people are doing."

Friggin unbelievable. He says "we can see the people of Iran get slaugtered by the islamic regime... and we'll fine with it".

The arrogance... the incompetence... the hubris... the GALL!!!

Bear witness to your @&$ Barry!!!

[Sgt_Schultze]

[Always Independent]

Must have watching the american president again. Was Beyounce.

[Post Toasties]

Obama to McCain on Iran: 'I'm the president'

To which McCain ought to reply (as if he had the McNads): 'Then Act Like One'.

[BornToBeAmerican]

Obama said. “I’m the president of the United States, and I’ll carry out my responsibilities the way I think is appropriate.”

Not if I could do anything about it you wouldn’t

[livius]

McCain never said he was the president. He’s a public figure and he’s as free to offer his opinion as anybody else in this country. Bambi’s overreacting because he knows everybody thinks he mishandled it (absolutely the truth).

[tioga]

Obama to McCain on Iran: 'I'm the president'

then ACT like one!

[SolidWood]

he has a point, He is the President.

Not mine. He is about as much the President of the US, as nutjob is the president of Iran.

[IbJensen]

"I am the president of the United States."

You may be president, Obomba, but you're still an enigmatic, simple-minded, narcissistic, marxist piece of trash that somehow got washed up on America's shore and was promptly jet-propelled into the oval orifice.

You are a complete asshat and an utter disgrace to this nation that you despise.

[razbinn]

I won !!!

[FlingWingFlyer]

"I'm the President of the United States!"

"He's my "O" man!"

[exit82]

I wonder why the narcissistic closet Muslim feels the need to constantly remind us “he is the President”.

He is not the king.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280782/posts

[don-o]

Littlest. President. Ever.

[libh8er]

Apparently Nancy Pelosi didn’t share that view during her trip to Syria when Bush was president.

[rbmillerjr]

My 4 year old son is the line leader at preschool.

[RonboTex]

And when an Iranian nuke goes off in Israel or a seaport in the USA as a result of his weak policies, HE will totally responsible for all the resulting deaths......

[kenth]

Can you imagine being elected to the Presidency and still being that insecure? I guess that’s what happens when you know that you are a fraud, an immature, insecure and undeserving fraud.

[RatRipper]

Being President does NOT exempt you from criticism, especially if you are wrong. Zer0’s treatment and criticism of George Bush while W was President is testimony to his mind-numbingly absurd hypocrisy.

[SolidWood]

No. It will be Bush’s fault.

[hoosier hick]

He seems to have to keep reminding himself that he is the president. I’m sure he will handle Iran just as well as North Korea...

hh

[EGPWS]

"I'm the president of the United States, and I'll carry out my responsibilities the way I think is appropriate."

Now if that doesn't send shivers down the spine...

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Statement: "Obama to McCain on Iran: 'I'm the president'"

Response: To our shame. With the help of Acorn and illegal aliens "The Divine One" was brought forth out of the primordial slime.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Obama said in the James S. Brady Briefing Room. “That is precisely what has happened these last few days. In 2009, no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice.....”

in the newly-named Gun Grabber Briefing Room Obama sez the world bears witness to the “peaceful” pursuit of “justice” while his islamic buddies slaughter those who are disarmed (and who have no alternative) peacefully pursue justice......uh huh....

[visualops]

I’d like a tally of all the times he’s said “I’m the President of the United States”.

[EGPWS]

It will be Bush’s fault.

Yep, along with a campaign statement as to how he (the messyah)is going to handle it and make it better.

It will be a miracle if George Bush doesn't screw up and destroy civilization as we know it in the next 3.5 years.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Mr. Obama : " In 2009, no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to the peaceful pursuit of justice."

Mr. Obama ?
there is nothing peaceful or just about oppressive governments killing innocent civilians who just want to be FREE ...
and there is nothing peaceful or just about the pictures we see coming from Iran of young women getting shot and killed by government thugs, or pictures of men getting axed in their sides and opening up their lungs and hearts...

[Paleo Conservative]

Shouldn’t that be Barack Obama’s teleprompter?

[seton89]

http://sendables.jibjab.com/originals/hes_barack_obama

[Frank_2001]

” He’s a public figure and he’s as free to offer his opinion as anybody else in this country.”

That argument is over Zero’s head. He’s not culturally American, being a Kenyan Communist impostor and all....

[libh8er]

What McCain should do is ignore him and continue to state his position on Iran. Other GOPers should follow suit. Go on TV, call press conferences, express their own policy positions (like Pelosi did during Bush’s term.) Just say the American people stand with the people of Iran in their quest for freedom and Democracy, then denounce the Iranian regime’etc. Just sideline Obama. What is Obama going to do about it ?

[HungarianGypsy]

As a public servant, we are his employers. I wish someone would call him out on that.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

A leader who has to constantly remind people that he IS the leader, isn't the leader.

How many times has this creep told us he is the Prez now?

[listenhillary]

He will now cease blaming everyone else? How refreshing!

[jeffc]

He keeps reminding people that he's the President. Makes me think he's nervous about something, like it's an ill-gotten gain. Maybe he doesn't even believe he is, that he can't believe that people were stupid enough to vote for him with his (non)qualifications.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Not until I see a birth certificate he isn’t.

[RED SOUTH]

WOW! Got to be the most insecure man in the world to have to keep reminding everyone that he is the President and he won....

[COBOL2Java]

Everyone's laughing because Abe just told them what's going to happen to the RATs in 2010

Well, we can at least hope

[RED SOUTH]

Because he knows he is a pretender ....

[The Sons of Liberty]

Obama to McCain on Iran: 'I'm [pretending to be] the president'