Posted on 03/02/2015 5:03:00 AM PST by LeoMcNeil
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to speak before Congress this week about the situation in Iran. The Obama administration has loudly opposed the speech, believing it undermines their position in Iran. On some level the Obama administration has an argument. Foreign policy is the domain of the executive branch under the Constitution. It is not a matter that really involves Congress, particularly the House which does not vote on treaties or foreign appointments. Those on the right are more than willing to watch the Obama administration fall apart over this issue. The larger question, which will go unanswered, is whether we on the right really want foreign leaders coming to our Congress to lecture us about what our foreign policy should be. If not, why does Netanyahu get a pass?
Part of the reason Netanyahu gets a pass is because Obama is so clearly wrong about Iran. The President is practically to the point where he’s ready to announce a historic agreement with the Iranians. No doubt Iran will ignore the agreement and continue their nuclear program. Secretary of State John Kerry claims that the administration has earned the benefit of the doubt over Iran. After six years of Obama failures abroad, this President has earned the benefit of the doubt anywhere much less Iran. His deal with Iran is nothing more than another red line just begging to be crossed.
The riff between Obama and Netanyahu is so great that at least according to one paper the President threatened to shoot down Israeli planes if they tried to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities. If this is accurate Obama isn’t an ally of Israel at all. On some level it’s too bad this did not happen. Most Americans support Israel, in fact it’s only the radical left that opposes the Israelis. Obama would have faced a massive political backlash here in the US. He certainly wouldn’t have found support for a war against Israel. It’s telling though that Obama is willing to go this far to protect his legacy. Keep in mind, Obama has been promising a deal with Iran since his 2008 campaign. He’s getting close to a deal and the only thing that stands in his way are those pesky Jews.
Anti-Semitic is on the rise here in the United States, almost exclusively among progressives. Obama has been influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and other leftists who favor revolution in Islamic countries. In typical progressive manner, his contact with those who disagree with him is limited. He pushes Republicans and Israel away, limiting contact as much as possible. As such, he’s insulated from their views and relies on the caricature of them created by the progressives he’s surrounded by. Academics and northeastern liberals do this all the time, they have no idea what their political opponents actually believe they only believe the slanderous caricature of them created by those of like opinion. Obama has done this with Israel to the point that he’s favoring their enemies and treating a long time ally as though it is the enemy of the United States. He’s doing this, in part, because he’s intellectually lazy just like the other anti-Semitic progressives.
Ultimately Netanyahu’s speech isn’t going to change much. Republican supporters will cheer wildly and vow to continue sanctions against Iran. Democrat supporters will cheer less enthusiastically for fear of reprisals from Obama supporting progressives. Opponents won’t even show up and if they do they’ll sit in stoney silence or if we’re particularly lucky they’ll put on some ridiculous display of opposition that we can laugh about later. At this point sanctions against Iran are still in place, in theory the President cannot unilaterally remove them. Republicans probably don’t have the 2/3 majority needed to override a veto to impose additional sanctions. Even if they did, this President has never been one to live by the rule of law. This speech is just a big dog and pony show. While Netanyahu takes the right position on Iran I keep coming back to the same nagging question. Should a foreign leader lecture our Congress? This is the only issue that makes me uncomfortable about the Netanyahu speech, otherwise it’s Obama threatening war with Israel that is cause for concern.
Editing anyone? Anyone? Buehler?
So right you are. Obama enjoy the speech or go sit in the corner. Jerk.
It’s not a lecture, it’s a presentation given at the request of the Speaker of the House. And it’s something the clown at 1600 Pennsylvania should take heed of.
But the Obama administration’s reaction to the Israeli prime minister’s appearance suggests Netanyahu’s is more than just another speech. An administration that disdains the use of disproportionate force has been, to say the least, disproportionately forceful in its efforts to undermine Netanyahu’s message and discredit the messenger. What is Obama so worried about? What is he, if we may put it indelicately, so scared of? . . .
And what Obama doesn’t know (or maybe he does in some twisted way) is that the more vehement he gets, the more I want to know what Bibi has to say. I’m confident I am not alone.
This congress and at least a dozen previous to it should listen to any honest man or woman with a backbone
Theorically, Congress has to fund 0bama’s $tash before he can spread the wealth around the world.
Very funny reply! ROFL
Article I section 5
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Seems some of the constitutional scholars reporting on this story missed that.
Lecture?
F him
Change the term “foreign leaders” to “statesmen” and the answer is a resounding “Yes!” (There are precious few statesmen in today’s world.)
Well when the enemy is inside the building you need a little blowback from time to time.
Obama knows Netanyahu with come across to the American people as a strong, confident, forceful leader, while he is a weak, negative, apologetic, anti-American, all talk and no do fake. He knows Bibi will outshine him. Netanyahu is classy, respectful, professional and deferential to Obama. Obama is a petty, petulant, immature, whiney little kid in his behavior towards Bibi.
It has everything to do with Netanyahu being a leader and Obama being a loser.
Hey Leo — Perhaps the better question is: Would it do any good to lecture our incompetent, ethically challenged, self-serving congress or is it a waste of breath and the height of optimism to even try?
Truth be told Netanyahu’s speech had no effect on the future decisions made by Congress. Those in Congress who supported his position already cheered loudly and proclaimed their unwavering support for him. Those in Congress who opposed Netanyahu’s position and him even giving a speech remain opposed today. He didn’t convince any Congressman to switch his position, either because of the strength or weakness of his arguments.
Even among the general American public, he didn’t sway anyone. Those who pay attention to these matters came into the speech with definite opinions about the situation with Israel and Iran. Most had an opinion about whether Netanyahu should have been speaking to Congress. Did anyone change their minds because of his speech? I doubt many did.
That doesn’t mean Netanyahu wasted his time. He achieved two things in his speech to Congress. Opposition to Obama’s Iranian deal became more entrenched and opposed to it. So he was successful in putting Obama on the defensive. He also gained points back in Israel, which likely will carry him to victory in the upcoming elections. Not all was lost, despite wasting air on Congress.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.