Another Democrat opposes Iran deal, but approval still likely

Number 13 on the list of 100 Senators for top AIPAC contributions. Go figure.

The crazy thing about this is that if the agreement is not carried out because Melendez voted against it and Iran resumes its Nuclear program, even accelerates enrichment, and a nuclear bomb is produced, then that bomb would definitely have Menendez's name on it. We should just call it the Schummer/Menendez bomb and be done with it

Let's hope Iran is not stupid enough to use nuclear weapons. The development is eminent at this point, just will it be sooner or later. Even hoping more is they truly use the technology for energy only.

We should just call it the Schummer/Menendez bomb and be done with it.

At least we have 2 smart people in the Democratic party with enough sense and this time, putting all partisan beliefs out the window to protest what every sensible person with half a brain can see is a very bad deal. Good on them for having at least the guts to do the right thing.

Let's hope Iran is not stupid enough to use nuclear weapons.

Problem is, given Iran's history, it does seem that they would and will once they have acquired the weapon, might not be now, could be in 15 years, either way, once that happens, the country would be incinerated by the Israelis and the Sunnis.

'Let's hope Iran is not stupid enough to use nuclear weapons.

Problem is, given Iran's history, it does seem that they would and will once they have acquired the weapon'

What exactly is it in Iran's history leads you to the belief that they 'would and will' launch a nuclear weapon?

every sensible person with half a brain can see is a very bad deal.

Does that mean the three dozen retired generals and admirals who support the deal are senseless idiots? How about 29 of the top scientists in the country who back the deal?

How about the government of every industrialized democracy (except Israel)?

All idiots I suppose. Scott Walker knows better.

"By Tuesday, 21 of the Senate’s 46 Democrats were backing the deal"

Only 21? What's up with THAT?

American politics confuse me, I thought the US Senate need to approve it by a 2/3s super majority.

the Schummer/Menendez bomb

'Cause, like, its not that every Republican will vote no on it.

Nice try.

YuriOtani,

I thought the US Senate need to approve it by a 2/3s super majority.

You're looking at it the wrong way around. What's being officially debated is a "Resolution of Disapproval" submitted by some members of Congress in response to the announced Iran Deal. This resolution requires a two-thirds majority of Congress members in order for the deal to be shut down. If they cannot get that 2/3rds, then the deal stands and goes into effect.

Barring any opposition from members of Congress, the deal theoretically could simply go into effect without any sort of vote. But that's very unlikely to happen in a highly polarized U.S. political system where if a sitting president says the sky is blue, it's almost certain politicians from a rival party will swear on their ancestors' graves that it's purple.

But even if the Resolution rejecting the Deal were to pass with a 2/3rds majority, potentially killing the deal, there's still every possibility Obama could and would simply veto the resolution, which is entirely within his legal right as president.

However, that wouldn't be the preferred option, of course, since it would most likely result in an ugly political battle with lots of bleating from opponents about "presidential abuse of power" and the president acting like a "dictator," even though the power of presidential veto is, as I said, enshrined in the U.S. constitution.

Ah, American politics. Fun, ain't it? :-)