Obama Criticizes Iran Violence, Is Upbeat on Healthcare Bill

President Barack Obama strongly condemned Iran's crackdown on anti-government protesters and said he was still optimistic about prospects in Congress for an overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system.

Jurvetson Barack Obama

As he opened his fourth news conference since taking office, Obama said the United States was not interfering in the protests against Iran's contested election.

"But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place," he said.

The news conference followed heavy Republican criticism that Obama, a Democrat, has been too timid in backing anti-government protests in Iran.

Over the weekend, Obama sharpened his criticism of the Iranian government for cracking down on the protests, while trying to avoid the appearance of meddling.

It also comes as Obama battles growing concerns over the price tag—at least $1 trillion and possibly far more—on his healthcare reform plan.

"This is legislation that will be paid for. It will not add to our deficits over the next decade. We will find the money through savings and efficiencies within the health care system," he said.

The session with reporters comes amid a wave of new public opinion polls showing declining satisfaction with Obama's policies and concerns about growing federal debt, although the president remains personally popular.

A newly released Washington Post/ABC News poll showed only about half of Americans believe the president's $787 billion stimulus package will boost the economy and nine of every 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned about the size of the deficit.

President Obama also praised Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's performance during the current financial crisis.

"He has done a fine job under very difficult circumstances," Obama said at a news conference in response to a reporter's question.

Bernanke's term as Fed chairman expires at the end of January, and there has been some press speculation whether the Obama administration may wish to replace him.

"I'm not going to make news about Ben Bernanke," Obama said, before offering praise for the job the Fed chief has done. "I would say all financial regulators didn't do everything that needed to be done to keep the crisis from happening." he added.

Obama also called on members of the House to pass legislation that he says will "spark a clean energy transformation" and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

Obama said the legislation will also deal with the problem of carbon pollution. And he said it will be paid for by the polluters. Obama said the measure will bring energy savings to Americans, while developing technologies that could create millions of new jobs.

He said again that a nation that leads the way to a clean energy economy will lead the global economy in this century.

Legislation on two of Obama's signature issues — covering 46 million Americans who do not have health insurance and capping carbon dioxide pollution from major industries — is
currently moving through the U.S. Congress.

But both bills face obstacles. Lawmakers are worried about the $1 trillion healthcare reform is expected to cost over the next 10 years, while the climate bill's chances of passage, though more positive in the House of Representatives, are less clear in the Senate.

Obama hopes to shore up support on both issues while addressing international crises including Iran and tension on the Korean peninsula.

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