Quotes of the Morning: Bush Driving Democracy

“Iran's spy chief used just two words to respond to White House ridicule of last week's presidential election: ‘Thank you.’ His sarcasm was barely hidden. The backfire on Washington was more evident.
The sharp barbs from President Bush were widely seen in Iran as damaging to pro-reform groups because the comments appeared to have boosted turnout among hard-liners in Friday's election with the result being that an ultraconservative now is in a two-way showdown for the presidency.
‘I say to Bush: ‘Thank you,’’ quipped Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi. ‘He motivated people to vote in retaliation.’
[…]
At a news conference Sunday, Iran's foreign minister, Kamel Kharrazi, said Bush ‘should apologize to the people of Iran for his comments.’ He also extended another wry ‘thank you.’
‘Bush's statements brought out voters who didn't want to participate in the elections,’ Kharrazi said. ‘We have to thank him for this.’....
The Bush comments are an example of ‘the kind of American intervention" that often boomerangs in the region, said Egyptian political analyst Salama Ahmed Salama.
‘Bush meant to discourage the hard-liners,’ he said, ‘but instead he mobilized their supporters.’"
-Associated Press, June 19, 2005

“The White House said Thursday it was investigating whether Iran’s new president played a role in seizing the American Embassy and holding 52 U.S. captives a quarter of a century ago. President Bush said the allegation by former hostages ‘raises many questions.’
The administration was reviewing its files on Iranian president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the hostage comments were brought to light by The Associated Press.”
-Associated Press, June 30, 2005

“Yep. Freedom is on the March on the Middle East. The people seem to be speaking here too..”
-Skippy

“President Bush’s televised address to the nation produced no noticeable bounce in his approval numbers, with his job approval rating slipping a point from a week ago, to 43%, in the latest Zogby International poll. And, in a sign of continuing polarization, more than two-in-five voters (42%) say they would favor impeachment proceedings if it is found the President misled the nation about his reasons for going to war with Iraq..”
-Zogby International, June 30, 2005