SHOCK!  IRAN REBUFFS OBAMA - AT 8:59 A.M. ET:  A funny thing happened to President Obama on the way back from Leno:

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed overtures from President Barack Obama on Saturday, saying Tehran does not see any change in U.S. policy under its new administration.

Khamenei was responding to a video message Obama released Friday in which he reached out to Iran on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian new year, and expressed hopes for an improvement in nearly 30 years of strained relations.

Khamenei holds the last word on major policy decisions, and how Iran ultimately responds to any concrete U.S. effort to engage the country will depend largely on his say.

In his most direct assessment of Obama and prospects for better ties, Khamenei said there will be no change between the two countries unless the American president puts an end to U.S. hostility toward Iran and brings ''real changes'' in foreign policy.

COMMENT:  And so the supreme leaders has spoken, and Mr. Obama's "outreach" comes crashing down one day after it's delivered.  Or does it?  There will be those around Obama - Samantha Power comes to mind - who may well agree with the Iranian leader and urge real "change" in American foreign policy.  It would be catastrophic change from our point of view.  But the Scowcroft, Power, Charles Freeman, Zbig Brzezinski school of foreign policy will give Obama an honorary degree.

What will it be, Mr. President?  Will you uphold American ideals and interests, or will you cave in order to get a photo op with some Iranian thug?  The fact that we have to ask the question, suggests, we admit, a certain lack of confidence in you and your administration.  Prove us wrong.

March 21, 2009