Obama condemns violence against Iran protesters

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-24 09:48

In Obama's comments, there also was a notable shift away from previous respectful references to Iran's most powerful cleric, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the "Supreme Leader." Obama didn't use the term on Tuesday.

Asked if his stronger language was influenced by pressure from Republicans such as Graham and Sen. John McCain, Obama scoffed: "What do you think?" And he shot back at GOP critics: "Only I'm the president of the United States."

Advisers realize the new tone poses a risk that the US president will become a scapegoat for Iran's leaders - just what Obama has sought to avoid. Administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe a sensitive strategy, said the disturbing images of the past few days warranted the tougher stance.

"I congratulate him for that, and we need to keep the pressure on them," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said after the news conference.

The president took the podium after a troublesome week for his five-month-old administration.

Fellow Democrats are fretting about the jaw-dropping cost estimates of reforming health care, a series of polls have underscored deep unease among independents and moderates over the soaring deficit, and his overall approval rating - while still high - has been slipping.

Obama pushed lawmakers to deliver on his ambitious goals of overhauling health care and energy, both in peril.

Also, acknowledging that the unemployment rate is going to climb over 10 percent, Obama said he's not satisfied with progress so far from the $787 billion economic stimulus plan passed in January. He said aid must get out faster and some programs - like one aimed at helping save some homeowners from foreclosure - need adjustment.

Still, asked if he would call for more stimulus spending, he said: "Not yet, because I think it's important to see how the economy evolves and how effective the first stimulus is."

On health care, Obama left open the door to abandoning his demand that people under any revamped system have the option of choosing coverage from a government-funded program.

"We are still early in this process," he said. "So, you know, we have not drawn lines in the sand other than reform has to control costs and that it has to provide relief to people who don't have health insurance or are underinsured."

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