Chris Coons and Bob Casey back Iran deal, putting Obama one vote from major diplomatic victory

[geek tragedy]

Source: Washington Post

Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) have decided to support the Iran nuclear deal, putting President Obama on the brink of a major diplomatic breakthrough that will allow him to fully implement the controversial deal over the objections of the Republican-led Congress.

Coons's decision, disclosed in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post, delivered a powerful blow to opponents of the plan because the Delaware Democrat had previously voiced some of the deepest skepticism about the controversial deal. It came as Casey announced support for the deal and left Obama needing just one more vote in the Senate to claim victory.

Coons reached his decision after many weeks of deliberation that included long talks with top administration officials — including his political mentor, Vice President Biden — and an exchange of letters with President Obama that codified the assurances he received about the pact's implementation.

...

Casey voiced similar views that, if the deal is implemented well, it will leave the U.S. military in a stronger place to take action if the Tehran regime violates its tenets. "I believe this agreement must be undergirded by a clear and unequivocal statement from both the Administration and the Congress: we are prepared to take military action if Iran attempts to develop a nuclear weapon," said Casey, who like Coons, is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/01/chris-coons-backs-iran-deal-putting-obama-on-the-brink-of-a-major-diplomatic-victory/

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That's 33 confirmed. Very close to preserving the policy victory.

[still_one]

1. I really appreciate what you are doing geek in this regard, thanks

[geek tragedy]

3. Thx. Now that I've trashed GD:P I find myself talking about

policy stuff that's ongoing.

[still_one]

4. come on, that is what GD:P is for. LOL

[blm]

22. as in….stuff that MATTERS to the world and can't wait

; )

[obnoxiousdrunk]

2. 2 to go ...

[brooklynite]

5. Add Chris Coons...

Chris Coons and Bob Casey back Iran deal, putting Obama one vote from major diplomatic victory

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/01/chris-coons-backs-iran-deal-putting-obama-on-the-brink-of-a-major-diplomatic-victory/

[geek tragedy]

6. Whoa, Coons is something of a surprise, I thought he was leaning against.

If you don't mind, I'll steal your link and update the story.

[blm]

7. You've been an anchor for DU on this, geek - THANK YOU!!!

.

[Control-Z]

8. Did I read that Wasserman was waffling on this?

So what happens when he wraps up the votes needed? And how soon will it happen? I want this done asap.

[geek tragedy]

9. Wasserman and Alan "The Congressman with Guts" are both waffling on it nt

[Control-Z]

13. I did hear Grayson's comments

and found them odd. He said he didn't know who to believe on the matter. Shouldn't his own knowledge and intelligence play a roll in his decision making?

[geek tragedy]

17. he's afraid to take a side on the vote--he's afraid of pissing off either progressives

or the AIPAC crowd.

He should figure out that if he votes with the Republicans on this, he loses the entire rationale for his Senate campaign.

[sufrommich]

10. She needs to be replaced. I wish Howard Dean could

take the reins back.

[Control-Z]

11. I would love to see someone take her place.

Howard Dean knows how to do the job. I don't know who even makes that decision, though. Do you?

[sufrommich]

12. I think President Obama is the only person who can

replace her.He's the leader of the Dem party.

[Control-Z]

15. Well then, this may just be the empitus

for him to replace her. One can hope.

[mcar]

14. Excellent news

Thanks geek.

[Hekate]

16. Thanks for staying atop this, geek.

[BeyondGeography]

18. Cool...what's Cory Booker waiting for?

Maybe enough coverage so he can vote against the agreement. If he does, he (and every other Dem who votes against it) can say goodbye to ever winning the D nomination. This is going to be a litmus test for many of us. At least Gillibrand had the smarts to understand that.

[geek tragedy]

19. Corey "Stop Attacking Private Equity" Booker is

inclined to vote with the Republicans, including his BFF's Chris Christie, Shmuley Boteach, and Robert Menendez.

[BeyondGeography]

20. I'm hoping for a surprise

As in he supports the agreement. He has been predictably mealy-mouthed about it to date.

[ion_theory]

21. Wow. I can actually say I like my representative.

Don't agree with Coons on every issue, but I can say that this year with 2 big NAYs on Keystone Pipeline and co-sponsored the FREEDOM Act in 2014. He may be a corporate/establishment Dem, but think I may be voting for him again. A shame the bar for voting for someone is "Do they have common sense and aren't a war-hawk.