Denying Deals

" Let's take a look now at the political fallout from the president's move. Here's senior White House correspondent Major Garrett."

" President Obama walked into a firestorm of criticism Republicans -- adjectives like appeasement and betrayal alleging the president had buckled under Russian pressure and sent a signal of weakness to Iran. The president preemptively denied both charges."

" Yes we've also repeatedly made it clear to Russia that its concerns about our previous missile defense programs were entirely unfounded. Are clear and consistent focus has been the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missile program that continues to be our focus the White House to --"

" Quickly denied any deals with Russia this is not about -- this is about protecting their homeland is about protecting. The troops that we have deployed overseas to protect our freedom. And it was about ensuring the defense. Balance. European NATO allies and get US missile defense plans have dominated mr. Obama's meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin. It's inevitable at this will be seen no matter how people are trying to slice it. And in the context of the enormous. -- that Russia has put up about missile defense since the Bush Administration made the announcement in January 2007. -- officials don't deny their hope that Russia may now come around and endorse some variety of sanctions against Iran's apparent pursuit of nuclear weapons I think the Russians are gonna get a chance. To decide. How constructive they wanna be -- In the next few weeks. During the campaign mr. Obama told Fox's Bill O'Reilly this about missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic. You're elected president you keep -- a missile shield of -- I believe that the missile shield is appropriate I wanna make sure it works well. -- The president decided to shift to a medium range missile defense posture Sunday after reviewing the unanimous recommendations from top national security advisers. Republicans blasted the move."

" History teaches that weakness and appeasement. Invite aggression. The preeminent responsibility the president United States is to protect the national security of the United States and I believe president Barack Obama's actions today fundamentally. -- that responsibility."

" Vice president Biden also weighed in on this an interview with CNN in Baghdad where he said I think we are fully capable insecure. Dealing with any present or future potential or Ronnie and threat. Some Republicans interpret that -- taking a very soft line and suggesting that the shift away from a ground based to a sea based missile defense system in Europe. May in fact invite more running and aggression or signal to them US weakness the White House denies -- charge Brett. -- hear a lot on the north lawn major."