Who Is Lying?
We reported Friday that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced the framework for a deal on Iran's nuclear program and blasted the White House fact sheet as "wrong on most issues," adding that it "distorted reality."
Imagine that you are a member of Congress. Obama doesn't want you to vote on the deal, but that fact sheet may well be the only thing that you get to see about it. Now the Iranian supreme leader says the fact sheet is a lie. Whom do you trust: The ayatollah or the president who swapped five Taliban leaders for one deserter?
Washington Post columnist Jackson Diehl took apart Obama's claim that "It is a good deal even if Iran doesn't change" its aggression throughout the Middle East. One of Obama's concessions would lift sanctions against Iran, which could give it access to its frozen assets. Diehl writes:
"Let's consider that scenario. An Iran that does not change will reap hundreds of billions of dollars in fresh revenue from the lifting of sanctions. . . It will supply more weapons to Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups, and invest more in its long-range missiles, cyberweapons and other military technologies. . . It will still seek domination of the Middle East and the elimination of Israel, but with far greater resources and the capability to build a nuclear weapon at any time of its choosing."
By the way, this deal that isn't a deal is already paying dividends for the Iranians. Russia announced today that it is lifting a ban on S-300 surface-to-air missile systems. According to the Wall Street Journal, the S-300 is a "mobile, long-range system that can detect and destroy ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft."
It is obvious what these missiles are intended to do: To protect Iran's nuclear sites from the United States and Israel when it is discovered that the Islamic regime is cheating on the nuclear deal.
Call Senators Now
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote tomorrow on S. 615, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. These senators need to hear from the American people now. Members of the Foreign Relations Committee include:
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) -- 202-224-3344
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) -- 202-224-2752
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) -- 202-224-3041
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) -- 202- 224-5323
Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) -- 202-224-4521
Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) -- 202-224-5941
Senator David Perdue (R-GA) -- 202-224-3521
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) -- 202-224-3643
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) -- 202-224-4343
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) -- 202-224-6441
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) -- 202-224-4524
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) -- 202-224-4744
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) -- 202-224-3553
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) -- 202-224-2841
Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE) -- 202-224-5042
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) -- 202-224-6621
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) -- 202- 224-4041
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) -- 202-224-4024
Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) -- 202-224-2742
If you are represented by any of these senators, call now. They need to know that you demand a voice on the critically important issue of Iran's nuclear weapons program. Tell them that Congress and the American people should have a say. Urge them to support S. 615, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015.
Please do not be intimidated. This is not a hard call to make. No one will argue with you. Your opinion will be noted, and it does make a difference!
A Meeting Of The Minds?
President Barack Obama sat down with Cuban President Raul Castro this weekend. It was the first meeting of U.S. and Cuban leaders in 50 years. During their hour-long meeting, Castro delivered what theNew York Times described as "a lengthy diatribe on historical American injustices in the hemisphere." By all accounts, it was vintage Cold War rhetoric.
After denouncing America's "imperialist aggression," Mr. Castro then apologized to President Obama, saying, "The passion comes out of my pores when the revolution is involved, but I want to apologize to President Obama because he doesn't have anything to do with all of that."
There is no indication that Obama interrupted Castro, attempted to correct his version of history or used the opportunity to defend America from this attack. He could have reminded Castro that his brother, Fidel, invited the Soviet Union to the island and nearly precipitated a nuclear war.
Clinton & Rubio Are Running
Former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton officially declared her candidacy for president of the United States yesterday. In a launch similar to her 2007 announcement, Mrs. Clinton avoided a major address before a large audience and opted for a scripted, online video. Clinton enters the race as one of the most well-known figures in American politics, with virtually 100% name identification.
Later this afternoon, Florida Senator Marco Rubio will officially announce his candidacy for president at a rally in Miami. During his time as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, he was well-known as a dynamic politician and policy innovator. Polls show that he is among the most liked GOP contenders, often with the highest favorability rating.