Obama: No Hot Dogs for You, Iranian Diplomats

Iranian diplomats need to make other plans for the Fourth of July.

They've been disinvited from Obama's special outreach barbecues that were to take place at U.S. embassies around the world.

From the New York Times:

It was an attempt by President Obama to reach out to Iran with a classically American invitation: celebrate the Fourth of July with hot dogs and hearty fellowship at United States Embassies worldwide. Now, hot-dog diplomacy is the latest casualty of the bloody clashes in Tehran.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who had authorized diplomatic posts this month to invite Iranians to their Independence Day parties, sent out a cable rescinding the invitations.

Well, I'm glad to hear that Hillary is doing something.

Embassies that had already invited Iranian diplomats were instructed to disinvite them.

That's tough. Disinviting the Iranian diplomats sends a strong, strong message, doesn't it?

No barbecue for you!

It is not clear whether this will be much of a snub to the Iranians. The State Department spokesman, Ian C. Kelly, said he was not aware of a single diplomat who had R.S.V.P.’d anywhere in the world.

Not a single diplomat anywhere in the world had RSVP'd to the Fourth of July celebrations at the embassies?

Not even one person?

Well! What an insult!

Obviously, Obama's lame outreach was a complete bust.

At the news conference on Tuesday, Major Garrett asked Obama if the barbecues were still on, in spite of the turmoil in Iran and the current regime's deadly violence and human rights violations.

QUESTION: Are Iranian diplomats still welcome at the embassy on Fourth of July, sir?

MR. OBAMA: Well, I think as you're aware, Major, we don't have formal diplomatic relations with...

(CROSSTALK)

MR. OBAMA: ... we don't have formal -- we don't have formal diplomatic relations with Iran. I think that we have said that if Iran chooses a path that abides by international norms and principles, then we are interested in healing some of the wounds of 30 years in terms of U.S.-Iranian relations.

But that is a choice that the Iranians are going to have to make.

QUESTION: But the offer still stands?

MR. OBAMA: That's a choice the Iranians are going to have to make.

On Tuesday, Obama was standing by the barbecues.

Wednesday, he called off the celebrations.

Why the change of heart?

Why did Obama change his mind about "healing some of the wounds of 30 years in terms of U.S.-Iranian relations" by offering Iranian diplomats some hot dogs?

I don't think many Americans were aware of Obama's hot dog diplomacy until Major Garrett asked his question.

Of course, given what's happening in Iran, it would be terribly inappropriate to be celebrating with representatives of the same regime that is silencing dissent and killing people in the streets.

Obama is so out of touch and naive. He defended the invites and then a day later did a 180. I'm sure public opinion had something to do with that.

Thank you, Major Garrett, for informing the public and getting the White House to wake up.