Republican efforts to paint Barack Obama as weak regarding events in Iran are entirely wrongheaded.  Two senators in particular, John McCain (R - AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R - SC ) have been "pressing the idiot button," as MSNBC's Chris Matthews calls it, calling for Obama to strengthen his message against the corrupt Iranian election and to publicly encourage the protesters.

The criticism from McCain, Graham, and others is illustrative of at least two truths:  One is their ability to display a profound ignorance of the complicated political landscape within Iran.  The other is a reminder of the fact that the GOP is no longer the disciplined political entity it once was.

Here is McCain on Face the Nation Sunday, June 21:

Lindsey Graham made similar comments on This Week that same day: