'If America stands for democracy ... obviously they are going to ask, do we really care about our principles?'

Pro-Democracy demonstrators are dying in the streets in Iran, but Barack Obama remains largely silent, unwilling to offend the Muslim clerics who run the country.

Will the attempt to bring Democracy to Iran fail because Obama failed to support it?

Many believe so.

"The president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said. "He's been timid and passive more than I would like."

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley also voiced disappointment at Obama's weak response: "If America stands for democracy and all of these demonstrations are going on ... obviously they are going to ask, do we really care about our principles?" Grassley said.