Top Democrat defects – will oppose Obama's Iran Deal

Senior Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, has announced his opposition to the deal negotiated with the Ayatolla of Iran by Secretary of State Kerry and the Obama administration intended to curb Iran’s nuclear weapons development.  The New York Times reported Schumer retreated to his New York apartment to study the agreement, before deciding this was not an agreement he could support.

Released from Schumer’s office: “Advocates on both sides have strong cases for their point of view that cannot simply be dismissed. This has made evaluating the agreement a difficult and deliberate endeavor, and after deep study, careful thought and considerable soul-searching, I have decided I must oppose the agreement and will vote yes on a motion of disapproval.”

Senator Claire McCaskell has already dismissed Schumer’s decision, saying it would not put pressure on other Senators to oppose the agreeement.  However we believe it will prompt other Democrats to take a second look.  The ‘fast track’ authority used by Kerry to negotiate the agreement requires Congress have a certain amount of time to approve the agreement or not. However, Congress would have to provide a veto-proof majority to disapprove the accord.   Congress will deliberate on the agreement when it returns from recess next month.

The White House has responded with indirect comments to this point, some say Schumer’s Senate career may be at risk.

Author’s note: This unexpected news will be a great relief for critics of this agreement, which would release over $150 Billion to Iran.  Critics have said the accord does not allow for proper inspections of nuclear facilities, and with the release of the funds, paves the road to a nuclear Iran.  Schumer’s opposition could spur a sufficient number of Democrats to override the likely veto from President Obama. This would be a crippling blow to the prestige and credibility of the Obama Administration, however many conservatives are now hopeful that such a bad agreement will be thrown out and renegotiated. John Kerry’s position would thereafter be tenuous, with a possibility he would resign.