How Obama Outsmarted Republicans And Virtually Guaranteed Victory On The Iran Deal

[Cali_Democrat]

By: Jason Easley
Tuesday, August, 18th, 2015, 1:59 pm


President Obama outsmarted Republicans by using their own obstruction and gridlock against them to set up an environment that virtually guarantees him victory on the Iran deal.

In The New York Times, John Harwood broke down the gridlock that Obama is using to his advantage:

So, notwithstanding an acrimonious debate, polarization makes the United States’ acceptance of the Iran nuclear deal very likely.

That is because the mechanism for congressional consideration, agreed on by Republican leaders and the White House, reverses the typical legislative imperative. Instead of requiring an extraordinary majority to act, it requires one to stop action — which means partisanship is all President Obama needs to approve the deal.
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President Obama sowed the seeds for this victory by using Congress’s own partisanship as a weapon. By setting up the agreement so that Republicans would have to break character and court Democratic votes, the White House was able to turn the years of Republican obstruction and gridlock into his biggest asset.

http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/18/obama-outsmarted-republicans-virtually-guaranteed-victory-iran-deal.html

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One thing I would note is that the article says the only Senate Dem to disapprove of the deal is Schumer, but Menendez came out later today against it which was pretty much expected. It still isn't nearly enough to block the deal.

[spanone]

1. sharper than your average President.

[geek tragedy]

2. this is why Congress has, and deserves, a minimal say in our foreign policy. nt

[Gothmog]

3. It appears that Obama outsmareted McConnell and the GOP

[zipplewrath]

4. A few weeks ago this was exactly what the GOP wanted

I could have sworn it was just a few weeks ago we were discussing how this was exactly what the GOP wanted. It avoids them having to actually decide if the deal should be approved. Now they can just knee jerk their objection without any consequences. They hate it when they actually have to govern and make choices with consequences.