AIPAC breaks with GOP on Iran sanctions

[onehandle]

Source: The Hill

America's main pro-Israel lobby came out against an immediate vote on Iran sanctions Thursday, just hours after 42 Republican senators demanded a vote. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) issued its statement after the bill's author, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), took to the Senate floor and obliquely criticized the GOP push.

“We agree with the Chairman that stopping the Iranian nuclear program should rest on bipartisan support,” AIPAC said in an emailed statement, “and that there should not be a vote at this time on the measure.” An AIPAC official confirmed the email's validity and said the organization has never pushed for an immediate vote.

“We have not and are not calling for [an] immediate vote,” the official told The Hill. Menendez did not directly call for a delay in his floor speech, but warned against making his bill, which was co-sponsored by 43 Republicans and 16 Democrats, a “partisan political issue.”

His speech came hours after all but one of the Republican co-sponsors wrote to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) demanding that he schedule a vote before the end of next week. None of the Democrats on the bill are calling for an immediate vote amid heavy pressure from President Obama, who argues that passing it now would doom nuclear talks.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/197722-aipac-breaks-with-gop-on-iran-sanctions

[sawdust]

1. The GOP war mongers are beating their drums

But nobody is listening but the voters of America I hope !

[1000words]

2. Does AIPAC feel it will fail?

What's the subtext, here? Do they need more time to twist arms?

[Lasher]

6. My guess is, AIPAC figures there's not enough Senate votes to override an Obama veto.

Seems logical.

[1000words]

7. Ah ...

Makes sense.

[Iliyah]

3. What a surprise!

The present GOPers love to send our kids to fight their profiteering wars.

[Scootaloo]

4. But AIPAC wants to send the same kids to go ensure Israel's regional power, too

So one wonders where the conflict is this time.

[Loaded Liberal Dem]

5. Translation: "We might LOSE!"

Which would shatter our image of invincibility, which in turn might prompt some people in Congress to start growing a spine! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[DLnyc]

8. my take

There was a popular outcry against beating the war drums when there is a clear chance at a peaceful solution. Too many senators jumped ship and said they would vote against sanctions and so AIPAC is covering its ass by saying they weren't really calling for an immediate vote (which they were). For example, see here: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/support-new-iran-sanctions-wanes

. . . What changed the direction of the debate? To be sure, White House pressure has made a difference, reinforced by President Obama’s direct lobbying to Democratic senators this week. I also talked to a Senate staffer yesterday who said public pressure has also increased, with more voters contacting the Hill with phone calls and emails, voicing opposition to the bill.

Bottom line: Public pressure trumped AIPAC.

[iandhr]

9. The main difference between these guys and the GOP neo cons is pragmatism.