Whoops! Gibbs Retracts Calling Ahmadinejad the “Elected Leader” of Iran
EmailABC News' Jake Tapper and Kirit Radia report:
Despite widespread reports of election fraud and myriad protests, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in today as president of Iran.
Asked if the Obama administration recognized Ahmadinejad as the legitimate president of Iran on Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs referred to him as “the elected leader.”
Gibbs’ reference to Ahmadinejad as “elected” rankled many in the Iranian dissident community, and stood in contrast to comments by France’s spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs who, when asked if France recognizes Ahmadinejad as having been reelected, said “France ’s position of principle, in accordance with international law, is to recognize states, not governments.”
On Air Force One today, Gibbs told reporters that he wanted to "correct a little bit of what I said yesterday. I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say it's not for me to pass judgment on. He's been inaugurated, that's a fact. Whether any election was fair, obviously the Iranian people still have questions about that and we'll let them decide that. But I would simply say he's been inaugurated and we know that is simply a fact.:
Asked if the White House recognizes Ahmadinehad as the leader, elected fairly or not, Gibbs said it's not "for us to denote his legitimacy, except to acknowledge the fact."
Does the White House think the election was fair?
"That's not for us to pass judgment on," Gibbs said. "I think that's for the Iranian people to decide, and obviously there are many that still have a lot of questions."
Today in Kenya, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of Ahmadinejad, “we don't always get to deal with the government that we want to…We take the reality that the person who was inaugurated today will be considered the president.”
Clinton said Iran's leadership must still address the legitimate complaints about June's elections by a significant part of the population.
"Obviously the United States and many countries, spoke out against the flawed election and all of the irregularities, as well as the response to the legitimate demonstrations and protests of Iranians who did not believe their votes were counted fairly and that the outcome did not reflect in their view the will of the people,” Clinton said. “That ferment, and the foment, is still going on inside of Iran, we saw it today, a number of protesters outside the inaugural ceremonies. It is not abating, and that is for the Iranian people and the authorities to deal with."
Clinton said, "we hope that there will be a recognition by this Iranian government that they need to recognize the rights of the people of Iran. And to make democracy be more than just an election and in fact much more than a flawed election as that last one was.”
–Jake Tapper and Kirit Radia
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Thanks Gibbs. What an idiot.
Posted by: Crazy Old Joe | August 5, 2009, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
“Stike that, reverse it.” More Gibberish.
Posted by: Skipppy Gates | August 5, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Now Gibbs has to come out and do damage control for himself instead of Obama and Biden.
I think what I meant to say….
Posted by: bailey | August 5, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Actually, it was a boneheaded mistake on his part. But it actually is probably better in the end, that he had to correct himself, than had he simply not made the misstep in the first place. And it makes me glad that the State Department made him clarify.
It highlights the questionable nature of the Iranian election in the first place.
Posted by: gobot | August 5, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Gibbs is not ready for prime time. Neither is Obama. That’s glaringly apparent again as we see what a real President Bill Clinton looks like and what real leadership Hillary Clinton who should be our President looks like.
Well done former President Bill Clinton and should be our President Hillary Clinton in successfully securing the release of the two female journalists from N. Korea. The Clintons are an incredible team, unmatched in political skills, intelligence and diplomacy.
The Clintons are what real leadership looks like. Obama, watch and weep, as you will never be their political equal.
The DNC made an enormous mistake in betraying the Clintons for the unqualified Obama. Fools. What a tragic loss for the country and the world where they are unmatched.
Also, journalists need to be more careful in crossing boarders they shouldn’t, it not only puts their own lives at risk, it puts our nation at risk in trying to save them.
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Hillary 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: H | August 5, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
Uh, uh, uh…
He fits in perfectly with his gaffetastic boss and VP.
Ahmadinejad says thanks for the public support from the Obama administration.
Posted by: max | August 5, 2009, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
“But it actually is probably better in the end, that he had to correct himself, than had he simply not made the misstep in the first place. It highlights the questionable nature of the Iranian election in the first place.”
As we all know it is better to make a mistake and then correct than get it right in the first place. It also highlights the questionable nature of this administration’s understanding of Iran and what goes on there. The administration should keep their mouths shut about this, they end up sounding like fools.
Posted by: Crazy Old Joe | August 5, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
oops…
The truth slipped out.
When will a spokesperson come out and say Gibbs was taken out of context.
Posted by: tyler | August 5, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
When will Obama apologist Linda Douglas make a video saying Gibbs didn’t say what Gibbs said?
Posted by: robtr | August 5, 2009, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Is Robert Gibbs and Linda Douglas beginning to get under your skin — as they are mine? When they open their mouths now, I just turn down the volume! It is sad when you no longer trust your own government.
If they are wise, they will STOP attempting to stymie free speech. They need to be aware of what HAPPENED IN IRAN — and STILL ONGOING!
Posted by: PappyHappy | August 5, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
I have never met a press secretary that I did like. They are all weasels.
Posted by: gobot | August 5, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
When I see that poster of Obama as the Joker I think–how fitting.
Nothing captures his image more appropriately.
How fitting for his whole administration, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Rangel, and that whole bunch.
Posted by: millie | August 5, 2009, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Watching this is like the three stooges , only I can laugh about the three stooges!!
this a sad bunch of clowns that is ruinng this country
Posted by: M S Long Beach | August 5, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
“But it actually is probably better in the end, that he had to correct himself, than had he simply not made the misstep in the first place.”
Ah, public school education…
Posted by: Skipppy Gates | August 5, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
-Ah, public school education…-
Remind me where Barry O sends his kids again.
Posted by: School in the Summertime | August 5, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
“Remind me where Barry O sends his kids again.”
They go to private school.
Most likely for security reasons given all the right wing lunatics.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 5, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
People, people- come on now, we merely have a case of some “vigorous debate” going on about achmadinnerjacket’s legitimacy. Is that so wrong?
Now, who’s up for some cheeseburgers? How about some frozen custard? No?
Uh, um…shiny object! SHINY OBJECT!!!
Posted by: 2Brixshy | August 5, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Well thank goodness the adults are now in charge… which is what I was told shortly after the election.
Next time can we get moderately intelligent, qualified, or rational adults?
Or will we just go with pretty ones again?
I was told if I voted for McCain we’d end up with a clueless Administration that made Bush look smart… and we did.
Posted by: Gekkobear | August 5, 2009, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
“Most likely for security reasons given all the right wing lunatics.”
I’m sure.
Posted by: RWL | August 5, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Of topic, but related in regards to politicians providing public presentation…
Now, the DNC and the Obama Administration are calling their disastrous “STIMULUS” Pork Spending Bill, in a revised term called the “RECOVERY ACT”.
Will someone in the Press inquire why the Democratic Party no longer calls their Stimulus Bill as “stimulus”?
Is it because it never had anything to do with stimulus?
Posted by: William | August 5, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
“Now, the DNC and the Obama Administration are calling their disastrous “STIMULUS” Pork Spending Bill, in a revised term called the “RECOVERY ACT”.”
The name of the bill when it was signed in February
“American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009″
Posted by: Ryan C | August 5, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Posted by: RWL | Aug 5, 2009 1:04:44 PM
AFP:”Initially the Obamas had considered putting their daughters into a state school, but eventually opted for Sidwell Friends mainly out of security concerns. The last child of a president to be publicly schooled was Amy Carter, daughter of Jimmy Carter, in 1976.”
Vancouver Sun: “These are a small selection of some of the racially-charged comments posted to the conservative ‘Free Republic’ blog Thursday, aimed at U.S. President Barack Obama’s 11-year-old daughter Malia after she was photographed wearing a t-shirt with a peace sign on the front.”
Posted by: Ryan C | August 5, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Posted by: Ryan C | Aug 5, 2009 1:21:48 PM
That’s it? “Security concerns” and stuff from Vancouver?
Posted by: RWL | August 5, 2009, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Poor Gibbsy, he can’t help it, he’s a moron…like his Boss…you know Da Boss!
Posted by: Nick Danger | August 5, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
jpt quotes Gibbs:
“I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say it’s not for me to pass judgment on. He’s been inaugurated, that’s a fact. Whether any election was fair . . . ”
–> Next thing you know, people will be questioning the legitimacy of a US administration that baited-and-switched every single interest group to get “elected”, then proceeded to empty the Treasury into the pockets of the corporations.
Posted by: Bet Noir | August 5, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
“Asked if the White House recognizes Ahmadinehad as the leader, elected fairly or not, Gibbs said it’s not “for us to denote his legitimacy, except to acknowledge the fact.”
Doesn’t acknowledging it as fact give it legitimacy? Surely these people are not this stupid. This is truely a stupid statement. Try this one on…
Asked if the White House recognizes that the sky is blue, color selected fairly or not, Gibbs said it’s not “for us to denote its legitimacy, except to acknowledge the fact that its blue.”
Posted by: KR | August 5, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
How hard is it to just choose the side of the people, regardless of the outcome? Here is a position Obama, you stand with the people of Iran regardless of who is standing in the seats of power in your government. Period, leave it at that.
Tip Gibbs, when asked if the administration believes AJ is the legitimate leader, say, “We’ll believe he is the legitimate leader when the people believe he is the legitimate leader.” Applause, close case, go home. This is like amateur night at the improve.
Posted by: KR | August 5, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Forget Iran:
“Almost half of Afghanistan is at a high risk of attack by the Taliban and other insurgents or is under “enemy control,” a secret Afghan government map shows, painting a dire security picture before presidential elections.”
Reuters
Posted by: Wonderful | August 5, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Gibbs is not ready for prime time. Neither is Obama. That’s glaringly apparent again as we see what a real President Bill Clinton looks like and what real leadership Hillary Clinton who should be our President looks like.
Well done former President Bill Clinton and should be our President Hillary Clinton in successfully securing the release of the two female journalists from N. Korea. The Clintons are an incredible team, unmatched in political skills, intelligence and diplomacy.
The Clintons are what real leadership looks like. Obama, watch and weep, as you will never be their political equal.
The DNC made an enormous mistake in betraying the Clintons for the unqualified Obama. Fools. What a tragic loss for the country and the world where they (Bill and Hill) are unmatched.
Also, journalists need to be more careful in crossing borders they shouldn’t, it not only puts their own lives at risk, it puts our nation at risk in trying to save them.
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Hillary 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: H | August 5, 2009, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Can someone find out if Baghdad Bob is available to replace Gibbs?
Posted by: Croation | August 5, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
–Where do the right wing fanatics send their children? I don’t think he cares.–
Not when he takes vouchers away…
Posted by: School Choice | August 5, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Despite the obvious problems with the election in Iran, unfortunately there hasn’t been any evidence put forward by the opposition or anybody else that proves or even suggests enough fraud to have affected the outcome of the vote.
I’m with the opposition in Iran (except that they, like the government, want an Islamic state and I don’t), but there isn’t really any doubt that Ahmadinejad is the elected President of Iran.
Posted by: Flash Override | August 5, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
“there isn’t really any doubt that Ahmadinejad is the elected President of Iran.”
–> b-b-ut that means the Cairo Effect didn’t work. What ELSE isn’t working, besides running down the “foreign” in Indiana?
Posted by: Bet Noir | August 5, 2009, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
I’m looking forward to fall and winter. At least then we can get some real news to comment on.
Posted by: Gerlen | August 5, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Now, Obama needs both Clinton’s to do his job for him?!
Just one more example as to why we should have elected Hillary, as POTUS. They know what they are doing………
Obama is HOPELESSLY INCOMPETENT.
Posted by: Estelle | August 5, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Way to take a side Gibbs. NOT! You should have told all the expatriated Iranians you are trying to appease, that if they had stayed in their own country, and voted, maybey they would have the President they wanted in office. Otherwise they need to shut up. None of them have the guts that the young lady Neda Agha-Soltan had. She was there, making her voice heard, instead of safely complaining about it 3,000 miles away like the loudmouths abroad.
Posted by: blmhny | August 5, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Irans election is Irans problem. I suppose the rightwing nuts would like to see a colour take over backed BY CIA
Posted by: Pertti Lindroos | August 5, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
“I’m looking forward to fall and winter. At least then we can get some real news to comment on.”
–> His Holiness gonna make the hurricanes turn backwards? That’ll be a real distraction from the price of groceries.
Maybe He can set up televisions for the homeless, so EVERYbody can enjoy that, along with His inevitable speeches deploring that elderly people in the cities are freezing to death.
Posted by: Bet Noir | August 5, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
To blmhny: Before you are too quick to ask for Iranian expats to shut up, you need to learn why they had left their country for the first place. People, like myself DID vote and even my father voted who had not voted since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. I believe we have been shut up for a long time and do not need your advice to keep quiet. I believe this is a great time for those who do not agree with Obama’s policies to jump on his throat. Maybe they need to shut up.
Posted by: Sahar | August 5, 2009, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
jpt writes:
Clinton said, “we hope that there will be a recognition by this Iranian government that they need to recognize the rights of the people of Iran. And to make democracy be more than just an election and in fact much more than a flawed election as that last one was.”
Could the Clintons be having some ironic fun at Der Won’s expense, with that “to make democracy be more than just an election”?
Posted by: Bet Noir | August 5, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Dont blame Gibbs,he only does what they want him to do,he is after all their spokesman!Cater, clintons, obama,all cut from the same fabric.Humbugs.
Posted by: syz | August 5, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
Incompetence runs amuck in this administration.
Posted by: ubu1991 | August 5, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
KNOCK IT OFF with the stupid Hillary pandering… First of all Hillary is a great politician if you really want a snake in the grass “politician” She lied over and over again during the campaign trail “running from the plane worrying about getting shot” anyone else see the video of her strolling off the plane accepting flowers from a child? Please! Also has anyone read the statements she makes to world powers? It sounds like liberal BS, people the rest of the world is not as PC and think that we are becoming pussies everyday because of the way we walk on egg shells!
Bill Clinton- First of all he didn’t negotiate anything, read a newspaper! The negotiations already took place, he was just the person going to take the photo op with N. Korean officials to let them save face with their people.
Obama was voted fair and square get over it!
Lastly, what would you like Gibbs to have said, “death to the dicatators?” people, like it or not Iran is a Major power and we would love for them to be a diplomatic government(in our sense) but the people need to make that happen, not the USA.
Posted by: slade | August 5, 2009, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Funny there wasn’t as much attention paid to our own stolen elections, where there is ample evidence that the election outcome was affected.
That’s the state of journalism in a fascist country…which the US is at this time…or have you all had your noses stuck up someone else’s butt too long already to realize it?
Posted by: voodoo child | August 6, 2009, 12:20 am 12:20 am
Although we all know the Iranian election was rigged, until it is proven, Ahmadinejad, unfortunately IS the elected leader of that country. I’m not sure why Gibbs retracted his statement.
Posted by: DaveM | August 6, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
I find it troubling that the United States government refused to express our solidarity with the people of Iran. Yesterdays innauguration could have turned out very differently if our government had thrown their support behind the protesters.
The current diplomatic tactics being used were tried throughout the Clinton administration and resulted in the development of nukes by the DPRK. To think that the same tactics will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear arms is naive at best.
Posted by: Jose Chung | August 6, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Jose – this country can only go so far in imposing its will on a sovereign nation. We see how well that worked and how much it cost us with the past administration. Regardless, the seeds of rebellion have been sown in Iran, and the soil is fertile. We must let the situation play out.
Posted by: DaveM | August 6, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm