I'm often very critical of Barack Obama.  I disagree with his policies, and I believe he is leading the country in the wrong direction.  With that said, I believe the criticism he is receiving over his handling of the Iranian election is unfounded.  His approach is certainly measured and muted, but this is what the situation calls for at this time.  In an interview on "The Early Show," the President had this to say:


"The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States," Obama said in an interview released Sunday. "We shouldn't be playing into that."


     Barack Obama is correct.  A forceful response from the United States would be used to take the focus off the questionable election results.  Couldn't you just picture Mahmoud Ahmadinejad using American interference as a rallying cry to quell protesters?  American interference wouldn't be far fetched to many Iranians.  If you don't think that's a factor, don't forget that the United States involvement in Iranian politics wasn't welcomed in the 1950's, and it wouldn't be welcomed today.

     For now, the situation is being handled properly.  There have been calls for humane treatment of the protesters, along with votes of support.  Demands of a recount or any similar statement would be a disservice to the protesters, and would cause critics to question the United States' motives.