CNN

[...] were repulsed yesterday when extremists in the GOP started howling for "regime change." Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was especially flaming inflammatory and sure to cause grief to the Iranian patriots [...]

Don't read too much into the Republican comments. Take it for what it is, partisan attacks on an area Obama is seen to be weakest in, foreign affairs and national security.

No way a republican president would be acting very differently if the situation were reversed. They know Obama isn't going to do anything stupid, but they can sure grouse up a few partisan choice words to help swing those poll numbers a bit.

Oh, poor whiny Lindsey Graham wants a more manly, cowboy-like president, poor boy!

Well guess what, this is not an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie little man – this is serious world affairs and no place for cowboys or actors!

Senators should be focussing on people in the United States and quit trying to be something they are not. Most are self serving corrupt individuals. They should be more concerned about the revolt that is coming here..............

We (The US & UK) tried and succeeded with regime change in IRAN in the 1950s, and that directly led to the Islamic republic IRAN has today.

We need to butt out of IRAN's internal elections, and work on getting our current "Regime Changes" completed in IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN.

Our plate is full ladies and gentlemen.

Have these people considered the alternative? This isn't about a hard-liner candidate versus a liberal one! It's about an ultra-harliner versus an extreme hardliner! There is no difference! They both hate America and want nuclear weapons! They only differ on their internal economic stances. It will make absolutely no difference for us who gets to be president there! So stop pretending this has anything to do with real democracy! Both candidates were still just selected by the Supreme Leader of Iran, denying candidacy to actual reformers. Neither of them is all that much more legitimate!

We are the only democracy in the world where the guy getting only the second most number of popular votes for president still gets to win. (Bush, 2000) We are in no position to lecture others about the legitimacy of their government!

What a long string of intelligent, thoughtful comments!

Then someone adds "Don't blame them (republicans) for anything now. " When a republican gets on national TV, shares his or her opinion – most sensible Americans can disagree without being disagreeable.

There isn't any "blame" – people are just saying – hey, GOP – we disagree with you and your ideas!

Sen. Lindsey Graham is a dangerous fool. The hardliners and the clerics in Iran want us to inject ourselves into their internal affairs so that they can use us as a scapegoat to further consolidate their power. Graham doesn't see that we'd be playing right into their propaganda. If he were commander in chief, he'd be walking us right into their trap.

The leader of the free world needs to have the wisdom to know when and where to march into other countries, and when to stay out, perhaps at least for a time. The leader of the free world should consider each and every situation carefully, and not simply march arrogantly into any country as he wishes. George W. Bush did that and now look at the mess we're in.

Oh, and Mr. Graham... Iranians wouldn't be killing Americans in Iraq if we hadn't followed your dangerous and arrogant Bush-style of foreign policy.

Gag me – he and McWarmonger don't have half a brain between them.

Thank God in Heaven McSongbird LOST. Otherwise we would be in 4 wars now instead of just 2.

Wow!!! The hypocracy of the Republican party is unbeliveable. Can u believe McCain, this is the guy who was saying last year bomb, bomb Iran and now he care about the Iranians on the street. Unbeliveable. Wonders shall never end. U know what I am very happy that President Obama is my President. Just imagine if McCain was our President today, we will be in a third war already.thank God President Obama won!!!!!.

I'm surprised one of these idiots haven't given the "We will be greeted as Liberators" line yet )

Senator Graham made a grade school type comment and is delusional about the role of America as the Empire of power to the world. It has become evident that power has its limits. A well-written analysis of this is
Andrew Bacevich's book, THE LIMITS OF POWER. A look at the GOP also is evidence of the limits of power.

No more WARS please! This country is already broke as is! Let's not get dragged into another costly war.

Does the right wing make any sense at all any more? Obama went and addressed the Middle Eastern/Muslim community in Egypt and the right wing criticized him for speaking with them. Then the elections in Iran happened and they claimed that Ahmadinejad's 're-election' was a rejection of Obama's entreaties. Now that Iran is in rebellion they claim he isn't doing enough to support them. Do you think if Obama had given an 'axis of evil' type of speech in Egypt that anyone would be disputing the election results in Iran? And where were all these Republicans during Nigeria's farcical elections? Or during the Tienanmen Square massacre? Oh that's right they were extending most favored nation trade status to the Communists in China.

Sometimes I wonder "Why in the world do we elect the people we do into positions of leadership?" I am not a politician but I'm fairly certain I understand clearly why it is prudent to exercise caution related to the current situation in Iran.

But then again, an empty can always makes the most noise. A fool can pass as a wise man if he knows when to keep his mouth shut.

It's really non of our business. We don't like the government interfering in our lives. Then how would people feel OUTSIDE the US if OUR government is interfering with their lives.

After listening this week to John McCain several other Republicans and now Bob Bennett this morning, I am so relieved that McCain did not get into power in November. They all have the same tough rhetoric, wanted dead or alive attitude and "axis of evil" mentality. As well as Iraq and Afghanistan, you would be at war with Iran by now too. Iran would be playing McCain's ""bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" 24/7 as a rally call. What is happening in Iran is absolutely horrible but it is going to be that way no matter what Pres. Obama says. I don't think the Republicans have really listened to his official statements about this matter. He has condemned the violence, called for respect for democracy and free speech and repeatedly told Iran that the whole world is watching how they treat their citizens. However, if he had come out too strong before the election was investigated and before the Supreme leader spoke, he would have made things even worse. He is pragnatic and looks at the big picture. He has two wars going on next door to them and they have the potential for nuclear weapons. They are loose canons and need to be handled differently than most regimes. John McCain seems to often speak before thinking and that is disastrous for a leader. He is again using an important issue to try and score political points.

OUR President is taking the right action ! we aren't suppose to put AGAIN our big red,blue and white nose in any problem that is going one in another nations, only if affect us directly ! Great approach from our leadership !!!

LOL. yeah, because a regime change worked out so well the last time we did it. Pathetic.

Tell me Graham where is it written that the Pres. is suppose to lead the world, not follow. I think this has been the problem for yrs, that it is "our" responsibilty to "lead". I say, say what needs to be said and leave the high handed rectoric to others. If he does what the Republicans want, we will be in more crap..We can't and shouldn't be bombing with words etc to make our point..., see how the "cowboy policies" worked.

Senator Luger is the only sensible senator from republican side.
if we wanted to keep oil price down than, stay away from meddling in middle east.
Republican are looking for higher oil price for their oil friends.

It IS wise for the U.S. reps not to speak out with the situation in Iran, but that does not mean we should be idel...we have power in the country...it's called the power of prayer...we should prayer for those who are standing up to their God given rights of freedom and expression. Our spirits are united for those who stand up against tyranny and God hears our cries for you.

The Republicans must want another war on our hands. STAY OUT OF THIS FIGHT. We have brave men and women fighting two wars that border Iran. Have you thought that the PRESIDENT is speaking in measured tones to protect our troops. The opposition leader's wife in Iran has already stated that she wanted her husband to win so that Iran could be friends with all the countries of the world, that is except for Israel.

I'm appalled by the double standard in America's political stance. I am a naturalized American and I'm baffled by the Republicans' cry that Obama should come out more vocally about the repression of the people's will in Iran. In 2007, Nigeria's elections were massively rigged and even as Nigerians took to the streets, Bush was already congratulating Yar Adua, the rigged in president who acknowledged his "election" was highly flawed. A couple of months ago, a rerun was ordered in a tiny Nigerian State where the ruling party candidate's governorship seat was dismissed, especially in a fraction of the state.
The whole world watched the travesty that passed for election with deaths, maiming, etcetera from the hands of government forces when the masses took to the streets to protest. Not a whimper was heard from these Republicans to protest Obama's silence in the faceof blatant violence against a people who merely asked that their votes count. Various human rights organizations specifically called on the United States to whom most in that country always hope they can get support.
President Obama's planned visit to Ghana while shunning Nigeria is good but not the same as specifically condemning the evil of a government that sees killing its citizens just to perpetrate itself in power.
The Republicans need to pursue speaking out on the good of democratic practices in ALL parts of the world whenever the need arises. I see their cries as mere hypocritical and the lurching the GOP continues to experience since their abysmal 2008 electoral performances.

TOLA ADENLE

i strongly dissagree with those who are saying that president Obama must say something about Iran's current sitaution and they want a regime change in Iran. Iran is a sovereign country, its president must be choosen by its people. we must speak out about Iran nuclear weapon, we must care about our security and the security of the world. let not interfer in Iran's afair,

So is Lindsey ready to sign up his kids to go fight in the Middle East.?

He is one of the biggest losers in a party of losers.

If America takes anything Lindsey Graham says as credible, we have a major intelligence crisis in this country. Weak, weak self-serving non-leader.

Always in you CNN columns you list The Republicans first. Why is that???

I believe Obama is doing the absolute right thing at this time. The whole world, and most importantly, the middle east countries are watching what is happening in Iran. Ahmadenijad is already trying to make it look that the protesters are acting out because the US is being an agitator and spurring them on. The LAST thing we need to do is prove him right. There is already mistrust and propaganda spread by Iran to the other middle eastern countries saying that we control them. If we step in more forcefully, it will turn into the US vs Ahmedenijad/Islam/Middle East Sovereignty/you name it. Have some of these politicians not learned a single thing from history?

"timid and passive more than I would like."

Spoken like a true neo-con, start a third war so big business can make billions of the American taxpayer.

Oh yeah, and give the rich a tax cut and decree that "deficit spending is not as important at this time".

That Graham Cracker, is why you are in the minority and your party is out of power!

These senators like Graham are total idiots shooting off about regime change! That is just going to put us in the front line for the next WAR!
Why can’t these people just start trying to take care of our- important business -here for Americans. This country is about in the tank with people hurting!

Arrogant Americans again.... We are BROKE and running around telling everyone else in the world how to live.

Graham are you saying we should invade and begin black ops in Iran. We cannot afford 3 wars hero. You give Southerners a bad name we dont all want 3 wars.

The GOP seems determined to screw up in Iran the same way that they screwed up in Iraq. Here is a situation where it appears the Iranian people are ready to rise up for freedom. We need to be very cautious about what we say and what we do, because the US is still generally hated and our actions are more likely to empower their conservatives and produce the opposite result from what we hope for. Let me simplify this for the party of stupid: The GOP needs to STFU.

The president's actions have been praised by essentially every expert on Iran both domestically and internationally. The results of his administration's policy are obvious. The republicans, meanwhile, would prefer to use a sledgehammer where a flyswatter is appropriate. They confuse bravado with strength.

Graham is your typical Republican. He would critize Jesus Christ if he came back to redem is soul.

Well the rethugincans want another US led coup de'etat to install another brutal Shah. President Obama should go to the Democrats in Congress and order a bill wrote up to make any mention of a coup by anyone in public office an offense.

Hey liberals, you are in charge now. The repubs are out. Don't blame them for anything now. It's your ballgame.

I agree with Graham. Someone strap a gun on him and ship him to Iran. Best of luck, Senator!!!!

Of course we would like regime change in Iran, no matter how tough we talk they will do just what they want and if the people resist more, they will use more repressive means against them, which will result in an all out revolution. President Obama's words are the correct ones and he will tone them up when necessary and the free world will back him up, but they will not do the fighting, that can only be done by the Iran people who want a more democratic Iran, we can only give them moral support.

After berating Obama for months for supporting talking to Iran, for giving his first interview to Al Jezeera and the Islamic people of the world, for giving speeches of respect and gentle encouragement, NOW they say he ISN'T doing enough to communicate to the people?? God what idiots. No, what hypocrits. It's the party of "let's just say the opposite" "let's repeat all our old mistakes" "Let's be the biggest bull in the china shop". DIsgusting.

"The president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it," Graham said.

Wasn't that Hitler's philosophy for Germany?

Sure wish you fokes would lern to spel bettur.

Obama's stance is the correct approach. Study a little game theory and you'll understand why. If the US takes a hard line and butts into the scene, it only plays into the hands of those suppressing the people of Iran (and threatening our own national security). They want to make it Iran vs. USA, but if we hold our tongue, we can make it The Regime vs. The People, which has the potential to be much more powerful and lasting. Let the people of Iran control their future!

How happy am I that McLame lost the election? OMG. He would have us at war by now, with Lieberman as his Sec of State, they'd be over there in Israel, planning the bomb, bomb, bombing of Iran. I absolutely shudder to think of the Republicans in the White House again. We are in 2 wars, plus we have MAJOR issues with North Korea, and these loudmount, blowhart Republicans are all up on their high horse. They are the reason we have 2 wars, and why North Korea is exploding. Axis of Evil? What, exactly, did that nonsense accomplish?

There they go again.., a Republican puts his foot into his mouth. I actually feel sorry for the Republican Party. It seems everyday, they are digging a bigger hole for themselves. Mike in Montana

Graham needs to update himself. The Iranian protester are asking that Obama not take any stronger stand in support of their cause than he already has. It will only hurt them . These repugs really ought to check out the facts before the open their pieholes.

America has absolutely no right to interfer and bring about regieme change in any country. The Iranains remember the CIA backed coup that replaced their democratically elected gov't with the Shah and their supplying of weapons to Saddham Hussien in the Iran/Iraq war which led to the deaths of tens of thousands of their countrymen.

Where is Lindsay Graham's about the thousands of innocent deaths of Iraqi people due to the inept invasion of Iraq. Hoiw is Graham going to instigate this regieme change? And when it doesn't work out his way, like the elections in the West Bank, will he start the process all over again?? This man and his Republican ilk are dangerous to the security of America.

Why isn't CNN publishing the comments of actual experts on Iran who have unanimously supported the President's stance and comments.

Lugar, your an idiot!

maybe if we go to war with Iran

this is something the republicans would want us to do

a good idea is have Dick Cheney Rush , Bill Bennett
the three musketires. war mongaring idiots
let them go over and start it and when the loose
we can stand behind the people of Iran and support freedom
the President is doing the right thing by staying out of the problem
but showing concern for freedom and civil rights .. but the people of Iran have to show their government not the United States

I feel that Iran is heading for a Revolution and maybe for the best, but we actually should stay out for our own safety...