GOP Uses Iran Resolution to Slam Obama, Undermine Iranian People Posted by Adam Blickstein

Dave Weigel has a good round-up of the debate that just transpired on the House floor over Iran. No one should be surprised that while the language of the resolution is fairly innocuous, the GOP is going to use it as a wedge against the Administration, and utilize the optics that the House acted on behalf of the Iranian people while Obama remains silent as a calculated strategy to hammer the President's approach towards Iran, which has been supported by Henry Kissinger, Pat Buchanan, Nick Burns, and Dick Lugar, amongst other.  Just look at the statements Republicans just made on the floor (from Weigel):

Eric Cantor: “America’s moral responsibility to speak out on the protection of human rights wherever they are violated...I urge President Obama to follow the lead of this House.”

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: Silence would be a “betrayal of our fundamental principles” and a show of “weakness,” and reminded the House that he had been a speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan.

Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart: “The president of the United States has been silent and confused.”

And Mike Pence's statement introducing the resolution far exceeded the rhetoric in the resolution itself:

"For days hundreds of thousands of dissidents have taken to the streets of Iran in support of freedom and democracy. The American cause is freedom and in that cause the American people will not be silent.

It's clear that on its merits, the resolution itself is not necessarily bad (and indeed the Administration appears to have a hand in its crafting), and is not completely opposed by members of the Iranian human rights community. But that's in a vacuum. This is American politics and the GOP's political calculation is very shrewd and very insidious. This resolution will give the Republican party cover to slam Obama's 'inaction' on behalf of the Iranian people, and sets them up for a weekend of messaging along these lines, including on the Sunday shows. And in the end, while from the domestic political angle this might score points for the GOP at a very superficial and visceral level (especially in the media), the biggest impact is it will provide another talking point for Khameini and Ahmadinejad to accuse America of meddling in Iranian affairs. In fact, Khameini already attacked the West today on those lines:

"The enemies [of Iran] are targeting the Islamic establishment's legitimacy by questioning the election and its authenticity before and after [the vote]."

Through this resolution and subsequent Republican statements which far exceed the moderate tone of the resolution's text itself, the GOP provides Khameini, the Iranian state media, and Ahmadinejad with talking points confirming the regime's assertions of American interference as well as providing the appearance of an American government divided. Such political posturing might help the Republican's cause of demonizing the Administration and decrying weakness of its foreign policy. But in the end, the resolution itself is merely a vehicle for subsequent statements, releases and press conferences. This is where the dangerous rhetoric will emanate from which will only add fuel to the fire for those in Iran who seek to suppress the protesters and quell the march of freedom that continues to build in the streets of Tehran and elsewhere.

While they display the veneer of being on the side of the Iranian people, in the end Cantor, Pence, Rohrabacher and others today confirmed themselves as the leading speechwriters and providers of talking points for Iran's oppressive regime. It's too bad they put partisan American politics above actually supporting the people of Iran.

Comments

[Dan Kervick]

Through this resolution and subsequent Republican statements which far exceed the moderate tone of the resolution's text itself, the GOP provides Khameini, the Iranian state media, and Ahmadinejad with talking points confirming the regime's assertions of American interference as well as providing the appearance of an American government divided.

And can there any longer be any doubt that this is precisely their aim? The Radical Republican lovers of violence and creative destruction are going for a chaotic Persian train wreck, by means of of which they can maneuver Obama into an unavoidable military intervention and escalation in the region.

It's the only f***ing tactic these pea-brained troglodytes know. They engineered an Iraq train wreck to tie the US military into the Middle East for good, and a fiscal and financial train wreck to sink what was left of the US social welfare system.

This is getting serious. Obama needs to invite these guys over for a friendly chat, find the nearest woodshed, and then give these folks a severe paddling. Right now they are threatening the security of all Americans, and Obama can't let it stand. It's time to take the gloves off.

[Chris Dorna]

You have got to hand it to them. A twofer: they get to undermine the Iranian and American people. While the political dynamics might be good for these people in the short term it is probably most destructive to themselves in the long run. What a waste.

[runescape gold]

Excellent post,thanks for sharing!

[Ugg london]

This is very useful article, I like it, thank you!
Never frown, when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[acekard 2]

Hi,
Why does the GOP always defy political experts? What knowledge of Middle-eastern politics do these right-wingers have?

[chi hair straightener]

Great article, Very funny!!Great article, Very funny!!

[chi flat irons]

I loved the editorial BE.It is very interesting.Thank you for the information.Great !

[SesliChat]

Im a peaceable fellow, but Ive been saying for YEARS- its well past time to go to War with Mexico & make them take Texas back.
Thank You. For sesli sohbet seslisohbet Sesli Chat

[SesliChat]

Im a peaceable fellow, but Ive been saying for YEARS- its well past time to go to War with Mexico & make them take Texas back.
Thank You. For sesli sohbet seslisohbet Sesli Chat

[TıkLa-SohbeT]

SesLiSohbeT siteleri arasında ekol bir adres SesTonum hemen sohbette başlamak icin SesTonum 'tıklayınız..! SesLiSohbeT Ve SesLiChaT adreslerinin gözdesi hemen tıklayarak SesLiSohbeT yapmaya başlaya bilirsiniz..!

SesTonum
SesLiChaT
SesLiSohbeT

[sesli sohbet]

While they display the veneer of being on the side of the Iranian people, in the end Cantor, Pence, Rohrabacher and others today confirmed themselves as the leading speechwriters and providers of talking points for Iran's oppressive regime. It's too bad they put partisan American politics above actually supporting the people of Iran.

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy XIV GIL
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV GILbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(GM MMO)

[cheap jordans]

It is a harvest journey for me when after have a careful look of your blog.Maybe some other websites may have some spam information,but as to you,they were all
filled with connotation which expended my horizon quite a lot.

[cheap air jordans]

Although some of websites may contain with many spam information,as to yours,it is time worthy for you to frequently look throught of your blog which with connotation.

[chanel bags]

It really an enjoyment for me to look through of your post.It is so remarkable which not only make me truely realized the great charmity of words and picture but also provides a visual feat to me.Thank you very much for your excellent post,hoping to see more wonderful piece from you in the future.

[Supra Shoes]

All things in their being are good for something.

[sohpet]

thank you admin klip sitemiz yeni acildi.
klip izle -Turkiye'nin
En buyuk muhabbet sitesine aday muhabbet
sitesi - Sohbet odalarimiz mevcut sohbet - seviyeli sohbet
sitemizde bulunur. iste
yeni sohbet sitemizde bu sohbet Tum Sitrelerimizi ziyat etmenizi isteriz. Sizler icin herseyin en iyisini
dusunduk.

[sohbet arkadaslik]

GOP uses iran resolution like good

[Generic Cialis]

Hola,
Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.
espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[pandora online]

You changes sound great! Good luck to everyone in the election(s).

[wholesale replica handbags]

i am glad to study your opinion. m41414 Keepall 55, m41416 Keepall 50, m41522 Speedy 40, m41528 Speedy 25, 219704, m40249 artsy mm, m40259 artsy gm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM

[ズファジラン]

grea post i like it

[new era hats]

I read once that sailors of old used to cry out 'To sail is everything; to live is not', when they were heading out into particularly choppy waters. I know it sounds a bit grim but I love the idea of taking a chance on your passion rather than living your whole life 'safe'.

[Generic Cordarone]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Mobile Computing]

There are may person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post,

[bracelet pandora]

It has been said many times before, but the gap between rhetoric and what people experience is mind-boggling and ultimately leaves you feeling speechless. These all are great toknow about it.

[christian louboutin alti]

Thank you for your article,it's great,let me know more!

[instyler]

Thank you very much for your excellent post,hoping to see more wonderful piece from you in the future.

[Seo Services India]

Is est vere interesting, tristique eget nulla ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet quaeris ultra victum et tuos contulit vester iste stipes. Sed facilisis mi in amicabiliter networks dedi!

[Generic Viagra]

I think you are right when you say this. Hats off man, what a superlative knowledge you have on this subject…hope to see more work of yours.

[Christian Louboutin Pumps]

But its likely to release untile next summer! What's worse, it is said it may not release at all! What a pity!

[Generic Drugs Exporter]

Ég held að þú ert rétt þegar þú segir þetta. Límmiðar á maður, hvað Greinar þekkingu sem þú hefur um þetta efni ... vona að sjá meiri vinnu ykkar.

[Generic Tadalafil]

Ola idea, Niza,
cousas boas, hai moita xente buscando sobre iso, agora van atopar fontes bastante polo seu post.
Estamos ansiosos para obter máis detalles sobre isto

[Generic Viagra]

I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!

[air max 2012]

the new air max 2012 it is come out,please check them

[Penegra]

I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!

[Facebook App Developer]

What an amazing job you people are doing. Hope to see latest information.

[Facebook App Developer]

What an amazing job you people are doing. Hope to see latest information.

[Generic Viagra]

Great information you got here. I've been reading about this topic for one week now for my papers in school and thank God I found it here in your blog. I had a great time reading this.

[ice maker]

Please let me know if you're looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!

[Panax]

But when I was ömer coşkun talking to my friend last night, tütüne son I didn't feel like keeping the idea alive. I didn't feel like defending (although I suppose I went through the motions, albeit unpersuasively). Epilamor What, now, was I supposed to defend? We all got what we wished for. We got what we fought for - a Democratic administration, gülhatmi balı one led by one of the most brilliant, inspiring politicians in recent memory