US says Assad failed to prove himself legitimate

Associated Press ^ | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 7:39 PM EDT | BRADLEY KLAPPER

[Hunton Peck]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States said Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar Assad has failed to prove himself a worthy leader nearly two months after being challenged by President Barack Obama to guide his country toward a democratic transition or leave power.

In endorsing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's declaration that Assad has "lost legitimacy," the White House moved closer to openly declaring its desire for regime change in Syria.

"Increasingly you're seeing President Assad lose legitimacy in the eyes of his people," Obama said in an interview with CBS News. "He has missed opportunity after opportunity to present a genuine reform agenda."

Presidential spokesman Jay Carney added that Assad was "not indispensable."

The more aggressive U.S. posture followed Monday's storming by an angry mob of the U.S. Embassy and American ambassador's residence in Damascus.

"We've been very clear that what we've seen on the part of the Syrian regime has been an unacceptable degree of brutality, directed at its people," Obama said. "We've certainly sent a clear message that nobody can be messing with our embassy, and that we will take whatever actions necessary in order to protect our embassy. And I think they've gotten that message."

Meanwhile, the State Department reported the U.S. Embassy in Syria was operational again Tuesday and that officials were able to work with Syrian authorities on improving security. Repairs were made to windows and cameras, and the Syrian foreign ministry returned an American flag that had been taken down by demonstrators.

[Hunton Peck]

0bama says Assad has the burden of proving he's the legitimate leader of his country.

(I kept a straight face while typing that. No, really I did. Honest!)

[usmcobra]

He needs to get an Official Hawaiian COLB.

[cranked]

Much like the AnointedIdiot? How ironic....=.=

[353FMG]

>>US says Assad failed to prove himself legitimate<<

.
Pot/kettle.

[Pollster1]

The United States said Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar Assad has failed to prove himself a worthy leader

I agree that there is an issue with a usurper failing to prove legitimacy and demonstrating a complete lack of potential as a leader. I'd say "pot . . . kettle" but someone would misinterpret that.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Hunton Peck.

[Navy Patriot]

Careful Zer0, Assad is a more legitimate President that just might call your bluff.

[roaddog727]

Wow.

Should that someone ask the same question of his Zeroness.........

[DTogo]

"Increasingly you're seeing President Assad lose legitimacy in the eyes of his people," Obama said in an interview with CBS News. "He has missed opportunity after opportunity to present a genuine reform agenda."

Where's Barry's "genuine reform agenda" for ... anything??

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

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[Cheetahcat]

Obama questioning someones legitimacy,That’s a hoot the sorriest human ever to enter the whitehouse,Questioning some one else????????? LOL LOL LOL that’s hysterical.

[LaybackLenny]

Aw jeez, you beat me to it! ROFL

[cunning_fish]

So, we are working to hand a nation with decent military and WMD program to Al-Qaeda?

[RetiredTexasVet]

Legitimate ... Zero can’t even say who his father is for sure! I suspect his mom just picked the last one she remembered as the father after awakening from a hard weekend of partying.

[Grey Eagle]

Where does the incompetent joker in the WH get off telling leaders of other countries to resign? As far as I am concerned, Obama can resign. The country will be much better off. Grey Eagle.

[constitutiongirl]

Maybe he wants Assad out of the way so he can unleash his muslim buddies to finish off the thousands of Iraqi Christians taking refuge in Syria.