Obama reminds Iran deal critics: credibility counts

[DonViejo]

By Steve Benen

As the debate over the international nuclear agreement with Iran intensifies, President Obama addressed the VFW National Convention yesterday, making a point about the Iran deal’s critics that too often gets overlooked.

“In the debate over this deal, we’re hearing the echoes of some of the same policies and mindset that failed us in the past. Some of the same politicians and pundits that are so quick to reject the possibility of a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program are the same folks who were so quick to go to war in Iraq, and said it would take a few months. And we know the consequences of that choice and what it cost us in blood and treasure.

‘So I believe there’s a smarter, more responsible way to protect our national security – and that is what we are doing. Instead of dismissing the rest of the world and going it alone, we’ve done the hard and patient work of uniting the international community to meet a common threat. Instead of chest-beating that rejects even the idea of talking to our adversaries – which sometimes sounds good in sound bites, but accomplishes nothing – we’re seeing that strong and principled diplomacy can give hope of actually resolving a problem peacefully.”

There can be no doubt that as arguments on Capitol Hill grow louder, opponents of the diplomatic agreement will have a more expensive lobbying campaign. What they’ll lack, however, is credibility.

Here’s a challenge for everyone involved in the debate: find one prominent voice who wants to kill the Iran deal who was right about the war in Iraq. Just one. It’s a strikingly difficult task – I’ve been looking for a while and I’ve come up empty – which reinforces a broader point.

more
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/obama-reminds-iran-deal-critics-credibility-counts?

[HFRN]

1. It's too bad for Hillary, that she didn't stay as SoS, and make this deal

she'd likely be the next president, if she did

[Fred Sanders]

2. Hillary was part of a relay team, a new less exhausted but equally capable runner was needed.

I think there will be another Secretsry of State before long, Kerry has done a splendid leg also.

[HFRN]

3. i hope she's not still exhausted

i've heard the position she's applying for is sometimes stressful

[Fred Sanders]

4. Well, she has had a good rest and primaries are still a ways away, and she is very energetic at

just 67, and she also has the energy of a future First Gentleman/Past President to help.

So I've heard.

[HFRN]

5. 'just 62'....?

better notify wikipedia - they think she's 67

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26, 1947)