Pat Buchanan Praises Obama's Iran Approach

Conservative commenter Pat Buchanan rarely has kind things to say about Barack Obama. But on the issue of the Iranian election, Buchanan has emerged as an unlikely supporter of the president's approach.

In a Townhall column Tuesday, Buchanan analyzed the presidential election results and commented on the implication of the outcome for Iran and America.

Buchanan writes: "Obama, with his outstretched hand, his message to Iran on its national day, his admission that the United States had a hand in the 1953 coup in Tehran, his assurances that we recognize Iran's right to nuclear power, succeeded. He stripped the Ayatollah and Ahmadinejad of their clinching argument -- that America is out to destroy Iran and they are indispensable to Iran's defense."

Buchanan is not alone among conservatives in taking this moment to stand behind the president.

Bill Kristol urged Republicans to follow a cautious path where criticizing President Obama, saying it would be "a mistake" to hope he fails right now.

But some, more hawkish, conservatives have accused Obama of being somehow responsible for Ahmedinejad's alleged power-grab.

Mitt Romney, for one, said on ABC's This Week that Obama should be faulted for going on an "apology tour" that led directly to the Iran results:

"It's very clear that the president's policies of going around the world and apologizing for America aren't working," he said. "Look, just sweet talk and criticizing America is not going to enhance freedom in the world."

Buchanan, though, suggests that Obama's approach should be commended.

"The Obama policy of extending an open hand to Iran is working and ought not be abandoned because of the grim events in Tehran. For the Iranian theocracy has just administered a body blow to its legitimacy in the eyes of the Iranian people and the world.

Obama, with his outstretched hand, his message to Iran on its national day, his admission that the United States had a hand in the 1953 coup in Tehran, his assurances that we recognize Iran's right to nuclear power, succeeded. He stripped the Ayatollah and Ahmadinejad of their clinching argument -- that America is out to destroy Iran and they are indispensable to Iran's defense.

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Comments

[Beth Leary]

Say what you want about Pat Buchanan (and I'm certainly not a fan of 99% of this views), but he is one of the precious few conservatives who will give props to Obama when they're due. He has praised his handling of the Iran elections, his recent visit to Russia and how he delicately managed the Putin relationship, as well as Obama's long term vision and ability to ignore the day to day polls. So, he's a conservative Republican, yes, but he is respectful and gives credit where credit is due. I appreciate that in him.

[heartsick]

America should stay out of the Iranian election, as Obama has said. If we are so serious about fair elections, why hasn't a single Republican spoken out about Norm Coleman's attempt to highjack the Minnesota Senate seat? McCain is so pedantic in announcing what we need to do about the Irainian election; but has he mentioned Minnesota's tyrant Coleman and his outrageous obstinance in refusing to step aside and accept that he lost the election to be the Senator from Minnesota? I don't think so.

[TexasDem0]

Will Rush the Bimbo now kick Pat out of the party?

[Whinger]

He praises him with his lips, but his heart is far from him!

[rejoiceinit]

Pat is a racist, a hawk, and ultra conservative among other things, but he is not a neo-con. Neo-cons want power for powers' sake--and Obama will always be the enemy...no matter what. They don't really care about the country or the policies as long as it's a rethug in charge. Kinda like the other end of the spectrum--the Bill Mahers and his ilk.

[Lorianne]

This is not a surprise.
Buchannan has always been an staunch isolationist.
The journalist should do her homework

[outnow]

Buchannan has not always been an isolationist. He used to support free trade, for example. He had an epiphany on that issue when he saw the race to the bottom for labor and manufacturing jobs going overseas.

[Taliese]

It's just been confirmed: There are snow flurries in h + ||.

[Bluedog12]

Tickle, tickle NeoCons!

[bogues]

Oh if only the GOP would start to put the country first and stop thinking about their political futures on a twenty-four hour a day basis. Every thought and action they have had since the election has been designed to help their political careers and very little if any thought has really gone into working together with the rest of the American people. I thank Pat for his honest thoughts and even when I disagree with him, I do think he cares about the country.

[shel3364]

So how long before Limbagh/Cheney question his loyalty to the GOP?

[FloresdelaHoz]

Amazing, Buchanan puts America first instead of playing the race card. He is up to something or smoking something.

[gbrooks]

Personally, I think Buchanan often means well, but he's just a tad goofy and unpredictable. His rants about immigration are the rants of an old white guy who fears change, but I find myself agreeing with him relatively often on foreign policy.

It's just kind of weird and a little unsettling, but at least he's no Bill O'Reilly or Limbaugh.

[lz1]

I don't agree with many of Buchanan's views, but IMO he has a sensible take on US foreign policy. It makes sense he would praise Obama's somewhat scaled-down approach.

[rbrinega]

A broken clock is correct twice a day. Buchanan's brand of ultra-isolationism is frequently wrong, but is correct in theis case. (And don't get me going on his other crazy ideas!)

[steve-annie]

A broken clock ... the perfect analogy for Pat Buchanan!

[neesy08]

I thought PJ was a hawk. Most of his fellow GO have attacked Obama (what else is new) for not bring the hammer down on Iran. I find myself agrreing with PJ on occasion, and thisisone of them. This situation has to be handled with kid gloves.

On the other hand, I almost NEVER agree with Kristol. Must be the Hamburger Helper I prepared! LOL

[intarz]

Why would one be surprised? What Obama is doing or better said "not doing" is exactly the kind of foreign policy Buchanan has advocated. Yesterday I read where McCain criticized Obama for not getting tough with Iran. Really? Getting tough and dictating what other Nations should be doing is the quickest way to unite people against us. If Obama started to come down hard on one side or the other they would quickly unite and there would go the chance for change in Iran. Buchanan was never a fan of GWB ignorant policies.