Obama's Iran Threat 

I want to revisit one of most significant statements Barack Obama made in his State of the Union address. Toward the end of his remarks, while discussing his foreign policy agenda, Obama warned Congress that he would veto sanctions legislation against Iran. Here's what Obama said:
 

• "But let me be clear: if this Congress sends me a new sanctions bill now that threatens to derail these talks, I will veto it. For the sake of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed."

Of all the things the president took time to explain in a nationally televised address, Obama wanted the American people to understand that he would veto sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. That is breathtaking!

Let's be absolutely clear about what has happened: The president of the United States has become the leader of the pro-Iranian lobby in the United States -- all in the name of peace, of course. 

Obama is doing everything he can to end the isolation of the Islamic Republic, which a succession of American presidents have done their best to establish. He is doing everything he can to prevent Israel from taking any military action to protect itself against an existential threat to its continued existence. 

And while Obama is running interference for Iran, his Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, delivered a report yesterday to the Senate Intelligence Committee which states: 
 

• "Tehran has made technical progress in a number of areas -- including uranium enrichment, nuclear reactors, and ballistic missiles -- from which it could draw if it decided to build missile-deliverable nuclear weapons. These technical advancements strengthen our assessment that Iran has the scientific, technical, and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons." 

If we know this, Israel likely knew it sooner. That may well explain some tough statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. 

During a major speech, the prime minister insisted that Israel did not have to accept every American position. Referring to Iran, Netanyahu said that Israel would "only support an arrangement that ensures the complete dismantling of Iran's infrastructure and capabilities to build nuclear weapons. We will not let Iran develop the capability to build nuclear weapons." 

Amnesty vs. Security 

The push for comprehensive immigration reform appears to be gaining momentum. The issue is expected to dominate discussions among House Republicans, who are currently on their annual policy retreat in Cambridge, Maryland.

Obama and Democrats are demanding immigration reform. The Senate passed its quasi-amnesty plan last year. Major corporate interests are behind the push as well.

But while they are discussing the issue, I hope members of the House do not overlook what should be the most important element -- border security. I specifically hope they are listening to the border agents themselves.

Tuesday, Chris Crane, president of the union representing officers of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, released a statement pleading with House Republicans to talk with ICE officers. Crane wrote: 
 

• "Any immigration principles crafted by House Republicans should be crafted in consultation with the ICE personnel who know firsthand what is wrong with our immigration system and how to fix it. … ICE officers do not have the connections, funds or votes that powerful special interests and billionaire CEOs can deliver. 

  "We are just 5,000 law officers responsible for enforcing immigration law for tens of millions of visa holders and illegal immigrants… But we hope to have justice and a concern for public safety on our side, and I hope House Republicans will support us in our uphill fight to ensure the constitutional rule of law in America."

Kenneth Palinkas, president of the National Citizenship and Immigration Services Council, also wrote House GOP leaders. Palinkas warned that the federal bureaucracy "is not equipped to handle [mass amnesty], and due to political interference in its mission, is not empowered to deny admission to all those who should be denied… We have become a visa clearinghouse for the world, rather than the first line of defense for a secure immigration system." 

The Intolerance of MSNBC 

The liberals at MSNBC never miss an opportunity to smear conservatives as racists. The latest demonstration of liberal intolerance involves, of all things, a cereal commercial. 

Cheerios is set to run a Super Bowl ad featuring a biracial family. The leftists at MSNBC then tweeted, "Maybe the rightwing will hate it, but everyone else will go awww: the adorable new #Cheerios ad w/ biracial family."

By the way, this is coming from the same network that was recently forced to apologize for mocking Mitt Romney's biracial family. 

Hillary, Huckabee, Ryan, Bush? 

2016 is still years away, and while no one has officially declared as a candidate yet, there is no lack of polling data on the next presidential contest. 

In a survey released yesterday by a reputable but liberal polling firm, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee led the field of potential of GOP candidates with 16%. He was followed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (14%), New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (13%), Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (11%) and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Wisconsin's Rep. Paul Ryan all bunched together at 8% each.

Today, we got different results from an ABC News/Washington Post. Ryan and Bush finished first, tied with 18%, followed by Christie (14%), Cruz (12%), Paul (11%) and Rubio (10%). The ABC/Post poll did not include Huckabee among its choices. 

Hillary Clinton was by far the clear favorite among Democrat voters, taking 67% and 73% in the polls.