Wednesday, July 29, 2015
From: Gary L. Bauer
Kerry’s Startling Testimony
Secretary of State John Kerry’s testimony on Capitol Hill yesterday in defense of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran did not ease the growing sense that the deal is a disaster. One former Clinton ambassador said that Kerry sounded like a “used car salesman who’s not revealing what’s underneath the chassis of the car, whether it’s rusty or not.”
That’s a great analogy. Below are just three examples from Kerry’s testimony that should cause any serious member of Congress to vote “No.” The first is an exchange between Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) and Kerry.
Mr. Brooks: Well, do you believe that Iran is the world’s foremost sponsor of terrorism?
Secretary Kerry: Yes.
Mr. Brooks: And, that they will use the conventional weapons made available by the Iran nuclear treaty to kill Americans or Israelis?
Secretary Kerry: Well, they may. They may. . . .
So the Obama Administration is making a deal with Iran that will result in the Islamic Republic getting weapons — weapons which the administration admits Iran may use to kill Americans and Israelis. The deal makes the world more dangerous.
Iran’s leaders repeatedly threaten to wipe Israel off the map. They routinely chant “Death to America, Death to Israel.” The regime is financing the terrorists in Hamas and Hezbollah.
Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI) asked Secretary Kerry why, given the enormous stakes involved, the administration refused to consider this deal as a treaty. Kerry answered:
“I spent quite a few years trying to get a lot of treaties through the United States Senate, and it has become physically impossible. That’s why. Because you can’t pass a treaty anymore.”
In other words, the Obama White House knew this extremely controversial deal could never pass constitutional muster, so it just decided to ignore the normal constitutional process.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked Secretary Kerry how the administration would respond if Congress rejected the deal and overrode Obama’s veto of a resolution of disapproval.
Rep. Sherman: Let’s say Congress doesn’t take your advice, we override a veto. And the law that’s triggered then imposes certain sanctions. Will you follow the law even though you think it violates this agreement clearly and even if you think it’s absolutely terrible policy?
Secretary Kerry: “I can’t begin to answer that at this point without consulting with the president and determining what the circumstances are.
Rep. Sherman: “So, you’re not committed to following the law if you think it’s a bad law?”
Secretary Kerry: “No, I said I’m not going to deal with a hypothetical, that’s all.”
We don’t have to guess at this. This administration has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to ignore laws it doesn’t like.
If the administration is determined to do whatever the heck it wants, why on earth would any member of Congress take the risk of trusting Iran by voting for this deal?
Walter Cronkite Of Millennial Generation?
For years the left has insisted that the Republican Party took its marching orders from Rush Limbaugh. That’s absurd. GOP elites aren’t exactly enamored with conservative talk radio. But reports in Politico and the New York Times today once again point out the very cozy relationship between the left and the media.
For example, the Obama White House was evidently coordinating much of its communication strategy with comedian Jon Stewart. Obama has appeared on Stewart’s show seven times. On several occasions Stewart was summoned to the Oval Office for personal meetings with the president, including during critical moments when the Obama Administration was struggling with urgent policy battles.
The importance Obama’s team put on Stewart is amazing. One former Obama communications official told the New York Times that senior White House officials considered Stewart to be “the Walter Cronkite for the millennial generation. That’s why it was important to meet up with him and engage with him.”
Seriously? Let me remind readers that Jon Stewart’s show is on Comedy Central. Unfortunately, as we are seeing with the Iranian nuclear deal, public policy is no joke.
13 Hours
A new trailer for what looks like a blockbuster movie was just released and it happens to be about Benghazi.
The movie, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” is based on the personal stories of six American security contractors who were assigned to protect CIA assets. The film is set for release in January, but the trailer is incredible. Watch it here.
If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer’s daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER’S “END OF DAY REPORT” or simply send a reply e-mail titled “Subscribe” and include your name and address.
Visit End of Day archives to share reports on Facebook. Follow Gary On Facebook And Twitter.
To be removed from Gary Bauer’s End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with “Remove” in the subject line.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. You may donate online by visiting our website or by using the following address in your web browser: https://www.ouramericanvalues.org/american-values-contribution or you may mail contributions to the following address:
American Values
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 950
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-671-9700
Fax: 703-671-1680
