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 This "Debate" That's Happening Within Iran - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/22/09 — Monday, June 22, 2009 — MR. GIBBS: Yes. Q Can I ask you, is he correct, though -- there is a perception out there that the President has ratcheted up -- you said earlier that his statements have been crystal clear and consistent, but there's a perception out there, I believe, among a lot of the pundits and others that -- I know, pundits, whoever -- that there's a perception out there that he has gradually ratcheted -- MR. GIBBS: Far be it for me to conduct our foreign policy based on pundits that we see on television -- Q And members of Congress. MR. GIBBS: -- where's that gotten us? (Laughter.) Q Wait, we're asking the questions here. (Laughter.) But that's the perception -- MR. GIBBS: I think I'm answering them fairly well today. (Laughter.) Q Glad you're so confident. MR. GIBBS: Sure, why not. I'm a pundit. I'm doing great. No, but let me tell you, Chip -- Q But there's a perception out there -- (laughter.) Q Well, let him finish the question. MR. GIBBS: Well, I knew the answer almost before you asked it. (Laughter.) Like I said, I'm a pundit, I'm grading myself pretty well today. Chip, this isn't about -- I think you've heard the President say this isn't about a foreign policy that makes us feel good; this isn't about statements that might make us feel good or sound good on television. This is -- Q But I'm not asking that. I'm asking has he ratcheted up -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, I understand, but this is -- Q -- has he increased the pressure a little bit with his statement? MR. GIBBS: I think obviously you've seen events -- I think anybody would say events on the ground have changed over the course of the last week. The President last Monday warned against the potential for violence -- and we've seen that escalate throughout the week. But, again, Chip, this is about ensuring -- as the President said, that he is speaking out for universal principles. He said that last week. But, Chip, there are many in Iran that would love us to be the story, as the President said and as I have said. They would love to take this debate that's happening within Iran, by Iranians, about the direction of their leadership and the direction of their country -- and instead take that out and put us in. The President has said he recognizes that, he understands that's not helpful and, I think quite honestly, Chip, many of the experts that -- many people in this room, their organizations have talked to, many Republicans have denoted that -- or have noted that the President has struck the right response here. That's what's important. Democracy | International Relations | Iran | President Obama | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Democracy, International Relations, Iran, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 10:01:00 PM
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