Bush on Iran

President Bush spoke yesterday on the election in Iran:

In recent months, the cause of freedom has made enormous gains in the broader Middle East. Millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq defied terrorists to cast their ballots in free elections. Palestinians voted for a new president who rejects violence and is working for democratic reform, and the people of Lebanon reclaimed their sovereignty and are now voting for new leadership. Across the Middle East, hopeful change is taking place. People are claiming their liberty. And as a tide of freedom sweeps this region, it will also come eventually to Iran.

The Iranian people are heirs to a great civilization - and they deserve a government that honors their ideals and unleashes their talent and creativity. Today, Iran is ruled by men who suppress liberty at home and spread terror across the world. Power is in the hands of an unelected few who have retained power through an electoral process that ignores the basic requirements of democracy.

...

America believes in the independence and territorial integrity of Iran. America believes in the right of the Iranian people to make their own decisions and determine their own future. America believes that freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul. And to the Iranian people, I say: As you stand for your own liberty, the people of America stand with you.

After I read the whole speech, I tried to imagine what any leading Democrat might have said. I've seen no coverage of any leading Democrat's remarks; this is purely my imagination:

Kerry: A 2,000 word speech leaving you with the vague impression that he supports the election, but with no particular interest in the outcome (or its fairness).

Reid: What election in Iran?

Dean: Arrwwrrgharwahwahwah!

Sorry. It's really hard to imagine anything rational, useful, or even entertaining coming out of that group. I just can't take them seriously...