While the rest of us are wondering what on earth happened to Barack Obama last night, the President’s Iran policy seems to be moving toward success. The international sanctions that he so laboriously put together are having a devastating effect on Iran’s economy. The currency is collapsing. And now, the bazaaris–Iran’s mythic and powerful middle-class business community–are on strike and marching in the streets. A few weeks ago in New York, the Iranian delegation to the UN General Assembly were hinting that a nuclear deal might be possible after the election–I took it with a grain of salt, since that delegation was led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who (a) is powerless and (b) has taken more “liberal” positions on nuclear talks than the Supreme Leader (and, indeed, the Green Party reformers) in the past. But this thing seems to be reaching critical mass, so to speak. The Iranian public is going nuclear before the government does.
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According to the NY Times, the Obama administration has exempted 20 countries from the Iran sanctions. How much impact can they have if Iran's largest trading partners are exempted?
Joe,
Obama needs your help. He has just released a bogus unemployment report showing the biggest one month decrease in unemployment in 29 years. Of course the numbers do not add up right, but could you write one of your fluff pieces to bolster his credibility which is tanking?
Thanks
This is exactly why we don't need the right-wing, militant GOP in power. They don't believe in methodical but non-military means to try to settle disputes. Obama's continuing economic war on Iran may just be working to overthrow the government.
That is far better than sending our young men and women to risk their lives.
The international sanctions that he so laboriously put together are
having a devastating effect on Iran’s economy. The currency is
collapsing.
Funny, this is also what will happen here when Joe Klein's cherished Grand Bargain is finally enacted.
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Holy hell, it's about to get really interesting in Iran...
To quote Hannibal Smith, "I love it when a plan comes together."
Obama's strategy deserves a lot of credit and he needs to cash in on that credit.
Clearly, unlike Romney, Obama is a man who hesitates to toot his own horn. Romney has no problem at all in taking credit for stuff, whether or not he has a right too.
I have to say again that Romney had a great perfomance last night but a terrible debate. We still have no idea what he stands for, except for free-market principles. We know he can adapt/adopt a policy on one day and discard it the next if his current audience dislikes it.
The MSM and their obsession with style has had a big hand in degrading presidential debates, which should be about each candidate clearly and honestly stating their actual positions on issues.
After last night I can see why Romney's Republican challengers from 2008 and this year dislike him so much. The man truly doesn't have core political values.
Obama hesitates to toot his own horn?????? Remember, he rated himself as the 4th best president in history, and told the crowd on The View that he is "eye candy". No, he has enough modesty for us all.
The man truly doesn't have core political values.
I used to agree, but I now think you are wrong about that. His core is rotten. That is the problem.
Obama doesn't take credit for his own policies? But he sure has no problem taking credit for Bill Clinton's successes..... Hmmmmmmmmm......
If only the President had a forum for showcasing the successes (such as this) that he has had over the past 4 years...
