I've long thought this notion rubbish in that it flies in the face of historical experience. But the Left thinks our recent imposition of new sanctions on Iran should rally the Iranian people who will forget their oppression to chant "death to America" just like in the good old days.
Apparently not:
Despite the government's insistence that U.S. and U.N. sanctions aren't causing any pain, some leading Iranians have begun to say publicly that the pressure does hurt. And on Tehran's streets, people are increasingly worried over the economic pinch.
The sanctions have heightened resentment of the United States among some in the public. But they are also fueling criticism among Iranian politicians that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is mismanaging the crisis with hard-line stances that worsen the standoff with the West.
Ahmadinejad and his allies are likely counting on sanctions to rally Iranians against the United States.
"Hard-liners in Tehran were looking forward for the sanctions. It helps them hide their incompetence behind the embargo," said political commentator Saeed Laylaz.
But many conservatives who once backed Ahmadinejad have joined his critics. They point to his failure to fulfill promises to repair the economy — despite increased oil revenues — and say his fiery rhetoric goads the West into punishing Iran.
If our Left had rallied to President Bush after any of the near-daily outbursts by foreign lefty or Islamist leaders attacking America, I might take the objection seriously.
Of course, it would help if President Bush gave a speech about Iranian freedom after the mullahs the way he spoke about Cuba's future after Castro.
