You'd think, having heard Benjamin Netanyahu's absolute brilliant stemwinder of a speech before Congress today, that Democrats would realize they will just make themselves look like complete fools if they keep bellyaching about it. You'd think that. But you'd be wrong. With Nancy Pelosi setting the example, they're taking the bellyaching up a notch.
She was nearly in tears, friends . . . in tears! How could the mean man from Israel insult her like that? It's just . . . so . . . distressing . . .
“The unbreakable bonds between the United States and Israel are rooted in our shared values, our common ideals and mutual interests. Ours is a deep and abiding friendship that will always reach beyond party. Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli people. The state of Israel stands as the greatest political achievement of the 20th century, and the United States will always have an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.
“That is why, as one who values the U.S. – Israel relationship, and loves Israel, I was near tears throughout the Prime Minister’s speech – saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 +1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation.
“Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated something we all agree upon: a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable to both our countries. We have all said that a bad deal is worse than no deal, and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is the bedrock of our foreign policy and national security. As President Obama has said consistently, all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.”
She's terribly upset because Netanyahu thinks she, Obama and Kerry don't understand the seriousness of the threat Iran poses, or the foolishness of trusting them with a deal that basically greases the skids for them to become a nuclear power.
By the way, Obama himself informs us that he did not watch the speech, but somehow he knows that it offered "nothing new" and it doesn't matter anyway because once Obama signs that deal with Iran he'll be able to prove it's the best possible way to go.
As we discussed on the Cain Gang today, the real reason Obama is so furious with Netanyahu for coming to give this speech (and with Boehner for inviting him) is that he knows ordinary Americans will find Netanyahu's speech compelling and convincing, and once they've heard it, they will consider Obama's pursuit of an at-any-cost deal with Iran to be the complete foolishness it is. Obama doesn't have many chances left to establish any sort of foreign policy legacy. He's got diplomatic relations with Cuba and a deal with Iran. That's pretty much it. If people understand what a horrendous idea it is to make that deal, then what does Obama have left?
Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't have the luxury of such foolishness. His country faces an existential threat every day from Iran and other hostile neighbors, and he can't afford to sit quietly while an unserious American president makes a moronic deal with the nation that has vowed to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.
If that upsets Obama, too bad. Like Rob said earlier, Americans aren't used to seeing leaders address Congress, especially in the last six years. Today we did, because Israel has a leader. We have a joke.
