Obama Says Change Is Possible In Iran

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Iran's "robust debate" leading up to Friday's presidential elections is evidence that change is possible, and expressed optimism that U.S. diplomatic efforts could get a boost no matter who wins.

"We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran," Obama said at the White House, as Iranians packed polling stations to choose between keeping hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or electing a reformist who favors greater freedoms. Ahmadinejad's main rival is reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi, who served as prime minister in the 1980s and has become the surprise hero of a powerful youth-driven movement in the fiery, monthlong campaign.

"We think there's the possibility of change," Obama told reporters, answering an impromptu question about the significance of the elections.

"Ultimately the election is for the Iranians to decide," he said. "But ... you're seeing people looking at new possibilities. And whoever ends up winning the election in Iran, the fact that there's been a robust debate hopefully will help advance our ability to engage them in new ways."

The State Department was also speaking optimistically about Iran's election.

"It's a very positive sign that the people of Iran want their voices and their votes to be heard and counted," said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. "Like many inside and outside Iran we are going to wait and see what the results are."

Obama has offered dialogue with Iran after a nearly 30-year diplomatic freeze between the two nations. He favors talks over Iran's nuclear program, which the United States and others fear is aimed at making weapons. Iran says it seeks reactors only for electricity.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that the administration would continue its efforts to engage Iran no matter who wins the election.

"Our outreach to Iran is not dependent on a particular result," he said. "We look forward to engaging the new Iranian administration on the full range of issues before us."

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also said the U.S. stance toward Iran will not change.

"Our view is that Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, ought to not pursue its nuclear program, its nuclear weapons program, and that will not change depending on the outcome of the election," Rice said during a briefing at the White House.

A senior State Department official said later that the U.S. "would not be surprised if there is a runoff," noting the possibility that neither Ahmadinejad nor Mousavi would get the minimum 50 percent of the votes needed for an outright win due to the presence of a third candidate. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration thinking.

In Brussels, Belgium Friday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he believes Washington is "interested in seeing the policies that the Iranian government follows."

"No matter who is elected, we would wait and see what kind of policies are followed by that person," he said. "It's less dependent on personalities than it is the policies that the leaders follow."

Comments

[askmeificare]

The Obamesiah sounds no better than a when a meteorologist says that there's a chance of rain today.

[mergina]

Change will certainly come to Iran now in the form of bombs and death and destruction since Ahminijob is their very own 2nd term Bush and as with Bush's second term, this is were it ALL begins to erode and decay rapidly.

[Rog49Thomas]

Change = a government that does what we want.

That's democracy with a capital "D".

[askmeificare]

This country was set up to be a Republic not a democracy. That's Republic with a capital "R".

[Okieborn]

How About The Change You Promised For The US of A !!!

[Mekarri]

That's all well and good that change may be possible in Iran, Mr. President. What happen to the change that we voted for here in the US? I am so disappointed in President Obama as of late. I know he has a BIG mess on his hands and also that it hasn't been long since he has been in office. I'm am not complaining that the economy isn't instantly better, but I am sick of his administration backing down to the insane republicans. What DON'T you people GET? YOU WON! The republicans will NEVER like you and they will NEVER corporate. The republicans are not interested in what is best for this country or her people. I proudly voted for President Obama but he and his people have got to manned up if thay expect to keep me. If he does what is right and fair, the people will be behind him.

[whitehawk]

You all wanted change within weeks and month's of his taking office. I think he's doing more than anyone expected. Perhaps not your specific need but this is truly a nonsense amount of time. Besides, The World has big problems because of the U.S. of A outside of this country where incompetence and neglect reigned for the previous 8 yrs.

Greed in an American problem. Learn how to live with multi-tasking and a real President, not some cowboy with bluster and betrayal were citizen's did without so he could play War.

[chedar]

I think Obama needs to work on a little change here. Forgot about the rest of the world until he can deliver on a few of his pie in the sky goals for this country...

Like healthcare for example... Obama talked real big durring the campaign, but is backing off a public option now... Which means all we get is a mandate to purchase over priced insurance form private companies.

[edwarvir]

This President of ours is a Wise Young Man!

[Hanzi Lai]

President Obama has the ability to see something that some of us can't see. By boxing ourselves in based on our past perceptions and emotions, we are sometimes too biased in our outlook and refused to acknowledge ground shifts. Obama sees a fundamental change to 21st century values in Iran just as he sees it in his own election in America. The person who wins the Iran election is not as important as it marks the beginning of the rise of the people's voices against the theocratic establishment. Iran could prove to be a more stable Mid-East partner of the US and a stronger moral voice in the region against anti-American sentiment.

[whitehawk]

You are right; Obama has the foresight and temperament, intelligence to tap the pulse of so many countries. He is a 'natural' leader, not only for the U.S. The World must listen with open ears, try to asume it's possible to have peace. Bluster and Bullying has each time turned back the clock. This President will follow through, regardless of criticism.

As with Bagdad, Iran is not so dysfunctional as America believes. It possesses a population much more pro-western, tolerant than many countries in middle east. The young people there, as here, wanted change, communication, progress, not war, suffering and isolation.

I believe Iran is 'a' perfect country to communicate and bring into the fold. Bagdad also was given such a 'hellish' description of Iraq leading up to the war when in fact it was paradise to millions. ?This was what propoganda does by the U.S. when they want a different leader in power. I don't listen to the politicians in America as much as to the people of Iraq, Iran, and the entire middle east. Give them a chance. Don't believe the 'experts' on foreign affairs.

[hapiday]

"Wow, after maintaining the status quo at home, our Fierce Advocate is now promising change in Iran.
Is anyone still buying Obama's slick change schtick?"

Rachel is that you? Seems like he can't wait for his show to talk about the president and call the president a "Fierce Advocate". The president will address the gay community when he sees fit.

[WANSU]

Thank you so much..I like RM but she advocate too much for gay rights!. The President has been office for a short time and to RM he has failed to deliver on gay rights. I have beginning to turn off my TV when she starts talking on how the President has failed gay community. This President has alot in his plate now!

[CherokeeGirl]

why do the gays think that their issues should be NUMBER ONE over everything else.

I can't wait for Obama to address it too, so the gays will finally shut up about it.

[LMPE]

Si se puede!

[mtwashingtonmike]

What about the fact that the Mullahs really run Iran don't people understand. All they are electing is the prime minister for the Ayotollah. Whom ever is elected is merely the face of the Islamic Republic. They are merely puppets.

That being said the Electorate can say something with their votes . Whether the Mullahs listen and what they do about it are something that can be debated.

[concentric1]

At 3:40 p.m. on Friday President Obama may well be right about the potential for change.

[IamPhenom]

What are the neo-cons going to do now? They've been telling us all this time that Obama was naive to think he could change the minds of the Muslim world. They've been telling us all this time that the only thing Muslims will listen to is our military might. They've been telling us any attempt at diplomacy will fail. They've been telling us all the Muslims want us dead. They've been saying peace is impossible.

So what will they do if Obama's approach works? How can they possibly spin this???

My message to them is YES, WE CAN.

[CherokeeGirl]

they just come on here and say things like the post below yours.

they just make things up and hope people will believe the rhetoric

[worried1]

Obama has no room to talk about change or civil liberties when he denies them to his own citizens. I regret voting for him.

[OhCanada]

I agree. McCain/Palin would have already saved the economy and destroyed terrorism.

[mypov123]

LOL Surely you jest.

[Pennsanic]

There's a lot more on his plate than gay rights, worried1.

[CherokeeGirl]

yeah, you voted for Obama.....right

that lie thing is hard to stop, eh?

[freethinking moderate]

I'm more interested in Obama actually bringing change to the United States.