It’s “only a speech,” to be sure. And there things I wish he hadn’t said, or said differently. But it’s a very different sort of speech, and it contained many words that are downright neoconnish:
America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal. We will bear witness to the quiet dignity of reformers like Aung Sang Suu Kyi; to the bravery of Zimbabweans who cast their ballots in the face of beatings; to the hundreds of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran. It is telling that the leaders of these governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. And it is the responsibility of all free people and free nations to make clear that these movements — these movements of hope and history — they have us on their side.
It sure sounds like President Obama just endorsed the Green Movement in Iran. And I’m told that U.N. Ambassador Rice had some very strong criticism of the Iranian regime today. I’m still trying to find it . . .
So maybe Obama’s getting to the point where he understands that the evil regime in Tehran can’t be talked out of its war against its own people, and against us. We shall see; words aren’t nearly enough. But they are essential.
UPDATE: From CNN:
The president, in a departure from his prepared remarks, said, “These movements of hope and history, they have us on their side.” He used the word “us,” while the text of his speech said, “hope and history are on their side.”