Response:

If the U.S. officials only spoke to leaders elected in free and fair elections, then they couldn't speak to the de facto rulers of Russia, China, North Korea, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and a great many other countries that we must deal with regularly to protect our national interest.  Talking to a foreign leader is not -- and has never been -- a gesture of approval or a sign that we recognize that leader's legitimacy.  It simply observes the fact that the person in question holds power in his or her country.

It is time to face the facts on the ground.  The June 12 "election" in Iran is over -- tainted as it almost certainly was.   Ahmadinejad is still the President (and will be for the next four years); Khamenei is still the Supreme Leader (and will be for life).   The nuclear clock is ticking, we have vital interests on the line in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East where Iran is influential.

Khamenei and Ahmadinejad hold power in Iran, and nothing will be gained at this point by continuing to deny that obvious and ineluctable fact.