Jeb Bush Questions Obama's Motives On Vatican Embassy Move
Credit: The Vatican
December 6, 2013

This is why we can't have nice things. While the media has long pushed the idea that Jeb Bush is the smart one in the family, he often disproves that theory. Just recently, he posted the following on Twitter:

"Why would our President close our Embassy to the Vatican? Hopefully, it is not retribution for Catholic organizations opposing Obamacare."

Jeb apparently got the notion from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, actual GOP party leaders who seem devoted to lying...

“The media is reporting that President Obama plans to close the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican. This is just the latest anti-religion pursuit of this administration, a slap in the face to Catholic-Americans around the country that weakens America’s position as a global leader. Sign the Petition telling President Obama to leave the American Embassy at the Vatican.”

petition campaign by the National Republican Senatorial Committee

No, President Obama is not "closing America's embassy to the Vatican." Last week, the State Department announced it was moving its freestanding Vatican embassy to a compound shared with the U.S. Embassy in Italy and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. On a call with reporters, a senior State Department official said the purpose for the move was to save money and increase security.

According to Think Progress, the plans for the embassy move actually started under none other than Jeb's brother, George W. Bush, whose administration purchased the buildings adjacent to the U.S. Embassy to Italy.

There are no embassies for any country in Vatican City itself, and Obama is not diminishing U.S. diplomatic relations with the Holy See in any way.

The State Department says the move, which will actually occur in 2015, will save $1.4 million per year and allow for greater security.

Not that the facts will stop Republicans from attempting to create "Vatican-Gate."

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