Econospeak
Does World Peace Depend On Ben Cardin?
J. Barkley Rosser | Professor of Economics and Business Administration James Madison University
UPDATE:
Lieberman's back
From: Jo Comerford, MoveOn.org Political Action
To: Dr. Thomas J. HIckey
Dear MoveOn member,
Our pressure is working. In a backlash that has sent shock waves through Washington, D.C., more than 20,000 of us have pledged to withhold more than $11 million from Democrats who would lead us towards war with Iran.
Senator Chuck Schumer—would-be Democratic Leader in the Senate, and the only Democratic senator to publicly oppose the Iran deal so far—is feeling the heat. Politico reports that "with liberal groups furious over his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, Sen. Chuck Schumer has been quietly reaching out to dozens of his colleagues to explain his decision" and assure them he won't lobby them to join his side.1
And in recognition that Schumer is against the ropes politically, a group backed by hawkish billionaires—and headed by none other than the pro-war former senator Joe Lieberman—has bought a video billboard in Times Square to support him.
Every undecided Democrat, from Senator Cory Booker to Representative Jerry Nadler, is watching what happens to Schumer. They're trying to figure out whether there's more political risk in supporting the deal—or opposing it. So this is the moment for us to double down.
There's an amazing story about the group that bought the pro-Schumer billboard, a story that tells you everything you need to know about this fight.
The organization, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), used to be chaired by Gary Samore, a nuclear expert who runs a security program at Harvard. During negotiations with Iran, he was skeptical. But according to an article in today's New York Times, after the Iran deal was finalized, Samore took a hard look at the text—and wound up supporting it.2 If you want to keep Iran nuclear-free, supporting the deal is the best path to do it.
But that put him on the wrong side of the group he chaired, which was funded in no small part by ultra-right-wing pro-war billionaire Sheldon Adelson. So Samore stepped down. And into his chair slid Joe Lieberman, the Iraq War's #1 Democratic cheerleader—and the target of a MoveOn-supported primary campaign in 2006 that cost him the Democratic nomination for his Senate seat.
Lieberman, predictably, opposes the Iran deal. And under Lieberman's leadership, UANI wasted no time in coming to the aid of Sen. Schumer, who was facing a wall of criticism from progressives, just as Lieberman had a decade ago.
The fallout from Schumer's decision will shape the future of the Democratic Party, the country, and the Middle East. Everyone's watching. That's why we have to lean in to this fight—and respond to the pro-war billboard in a way that can't be missed.
Sources:
1. "Chuck Schumer working the phones on Iran," Politico, August 11, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305987&id=128538-7715764-xEVCkqx&t=1
2. "Head of Group Opposing Iran Accord Quits Post, Saying He Backs Deal," The New York Times, August 12, 2015 http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=305988&id=128538-7715764-xEVCkqx&t=2
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here or chip in a one-time donation here.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
1 comment:
This peace deal was only meant to be a temporary arrangement. Iran would have to abandon Assad, Hezbollah and curb their influence within Iraq. And if they were to cozy up to the US, lets not forget that the Saudis hate them and view them as rivals.
Post a Comment