This Iran deal is where Democrats will either stand up for their President and the principles of diplomacy and peace or else they will bow to mighty AIPAC and swear allegiance to a country that isn't the one they're elected to govern.
Steve Israel has chosen the latter.
New York Rep. Steve Israel said Tuesday that he would oppose the nonproliferation deal at the center of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy agenda when it comes up for a congressional vote in September — the most high profile Democrat in the House to do so yet.
Israel, who also chairs House Democrats’ messaging arm, said he would also work to oppose the deal — putting him at odds with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), traditionally a close ally, who is personally lobbying members to support the Iran deal.
“I tried very had to get to yes. But at the end of the day, despite some positive elements in the deal, the totality compelled me to oppose it,” Israel told Newsday.
It’s a loss for the White House. Israel is a Jewish Democrat — a group the White House has lobbied extensively since Obama announced that he and world leaders had struck a deal with Iran to stop the country’s nuclear development and ease sanctions. Jewish Democrats were invited for a personal briefing with White House senior staffers last month and the entire Democratic Caucus was invited to meet with Obama last week.
Well then. It looks to me like Steve Israel has chosen war over peace, and should therefore be accountable to his party for that decision. He has also chosen Israel's lobbyists over the United States. You decide if that's a play on words.
