It’s one thing to have MSNBC defend Barack Obama at every turn, but to give Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the same treatment?

This video begins with Martin Indyk saying, “He’s not a madman,” proceeds to have Middle East “expert” Ali Ansari defend Iran’s policies on everything from its deadly menacing in Iraq to its nuclear quest, and closes with Ahmadinejad himself blaming American policies for “moving the world towards war.” Throughout, we see the “mystical populist” kicking a football and enjoying himself good-naturedly with Iranians. Ali Ansari makes repeated references to Ahmadinejad’s “utopian visions” without ever explaining that these are actually apocalyptic visions. And no mention is made of Ahmadinejad’s repeated promises to destroy Israel. I’d like to see an evangelical Christian leader receive such deferential treatment.

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