WHAT AN IRON FIST - MUST BE THE NEW BLACK BELT - AT 9:12 A.M. ET:  Well, that new black belt President Obama was awarded in South Korea is already making him a new man.  The president is getting tough with Iran.  Now, be careful.  You have to define "tough" in the land of Obama.  From AP via Fox News:

SEOUL, South Korea -- Showing impatience with Iranian foot-dragging, President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies are discussing possible new penalties to bring fresh pressure on Iran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear program.

We're so glad they're discussing.  Maybe the president can explain to us the fruits of his Iran policy.

Obama's warning came after Iran rejected a compromise proposal to ship its low-enriched uranium abroad so that it could not be further enriched to make weapons. Talk of fresh sanctions also showed that Obama is preparing for the next phase should Iran fail to meet his year-end deadline for progress in negotiations.

There's an escape clause there.  All Iran has to do is ask for "clarifications" on December 31st and the deadline can be extended.

"They have been unable to get to `yes', and so as a consequence, we have begun discussions with our international partners about the importance of having consequences," Obama said at a news conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Huh?  The importance of consequences?  He's just learning that?

And get that language:  "They have been unable to get to 'yes..."  Sounds like a college project in building your negotiating skills.

"Our expectation is, is that over the next several weeks we will be developing a package of potential steps that we could take that will indicate our seriousness to Iran."

Freely translated:  There are disagreements among the "allies."  That's why we have to talk amongst ourselves so much.

The tough talk came as Obama wrapped an eight-day, four-nation tour of Asia in which global issues -- nuclear disarmament, climate change, economic recovery -- dominated and goodwill abounded. There also were few new agreements on pending issues.

There never are with the Obama administration.  All hat, no cattle.

November 19, 2009