White House spokesman Robert Gibbs backpedaled Wednesday on his response to journalists regarding the inauguration of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose election has been disputed by a groundswell of constant protests for the past 52 days.

Opposition candidates and moderate leaders say the election was rigged, and that irregularities at the polls have invalidated the results. Gibbs told reporters on Tuesday, "He's the elected president," when asked whether the White House would recognize Ahmadinejad's inauguration.

On Wednesday, Gibbs told journalists, "Let me correct a little bit of what I said yesterday... I would say that's not for me to pass judgment on."