The beautiful thing about this is that they used the exact same trite metaphor that Obama used in his Inauguration. Except this time they made sure to clarify that Obama won't be appeasing anyone:

But Emanuel said that they recognized they had overdone their initial outreach to Republicans and had offered "a sharp message for the last week." For now, the hard-charging chief of staff added, "He has an open hand, but he has a very firm handshake." Translation: Yes, the president will continue to do obligatory outreach to the GOP, but he's not going to be burned again by an out-of-power and toothless minority for the sake of appearances.

Yeah. They overdid their outreach so much that a GOP politician in the twilight of his career declined a Cabinet position - and his access to the halls of power - to protest their rabid partisanship. They should dial back their warm embrace before it gets downright embarrassing.

Of course the GOP does actually deserve harsher treatment. After all, they made a big show of putting Obama's face on an ass. Or was that Iran? Maybe it was the GOP that got caught shipping weapons to Hamas? Or are you saying that it was Iran too? Yet Obama is extending a bitter handshake to the GOP but an open palm to Iran. Strange, that.

At least the threat of sanctions will work. Wait. Does Europe still exist?

References:
* Is Iran's Fist Still Clenched?
* Hardened Obama plans new fights [Politico]
* WaPo: Obama administration "peeved and churlish" over Gregg [Hot Air]
* Iranians Put Obama On an Ass [Gateway Pundit]
* Cyprus Confiscates Arms From Suspicious Ship [Defense News]
* EU in draft deal to take Iran group off terror list [YNet]

Previously:
* Speaker Of Iranian Parliament: Of Course We Want Obama To Win
* Sarkozy: Of Course Obama's Iran Policy Is Imbecilic
* Confirmed: Obama Surrogates Were Negotiating With Iran And Syria During Election (Plus: Results Thus Far A Little Short Of Spectacular) (UPDATE: Just How Many Delegations Did Obama Send To Assad?)