Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO) would like to see President Barack Obama say and do more in the wake of the disputed election in Iran. In a radio conference call with reporters, Bond expressed disappointment in the international community’s response to the developments.
"The regime’s violent backlash against its own citizens was brutal," said Bond. "But it really appears that there was fraud, the bloody retaliation against the demonstrators isn’t surprising. The international community continues to do nothing more than slap them on the wrist."
Bond wants to see President Obama reach out to the people of Iran.
"The President ought to reach out to (opposition leader) Mousavi , the defeated candidate, just to establish relations with him," said Bond. "He ought to reach out to the Iranian people, telling them that the Americans are interested in their needs and want to hear from them."
Concerns have been expressed that the U.S. could be inviting trouble by reaching out to Iranian opposition leaders or dissidents, but Bond says that should not be an issue.
"Frankly, (Iranian President) Ahmenidijad is not going to be any more hostile," said Bond. "He couldn’t be any more hostile than he already is – if we reach out to the Iranian people."
In Bond’s view, President Obama has, "Whiffed on this one."