Friday, May 6, 2016
Shouldn't Heads Roll For Lying About The Iranian Deal?
Obama Aide: Iran Deal Built on Lie
Friday, 06 May 2016 11:16 AM
The Obama administration misled Americans about supposed "moderates" that officials were dealing with in the Iranian theocracy to forge a nuclear proliferation deal — all to make the deal more palatable to the American public, according to The New York Times.
Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, even boasted about how he helped create the false narrative to mask that Iranian hard-liners were really calling the shots, the Times reports.
Rhodes concedes to the Times that the so-called moderate regime is not moderate at all, commenting: "We're not betting on it."
"We created an echo chamber," he tells the Times in a piece to appear in the Sunday magazine of the newspaper. "They were saying things that validated what we had given them to say," he adds about so-called experts praising the deal in the press.
According to the Times, when Rhodes was asked about his misleading version of the deal, Rhodes said, "In the absence of rational discourse, we are going to discourse the [expletive] out of this."
"We had test drives to know who was going to be able to carry our message effectively, and how to use outside groups like [the anti-nuke group] Ploughshares, the Iran Project and whomever else," he tells the Times.
"So we knew the tactics that worked. We drove them crazy," he tells the Times, referring to Republicans and other opponents of the deal, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Leon Panetta, former secretary of defense, tells the Times the hard-line regime and its military arm was still in charge at the time of the Iran deal negotiations — despite what the administration said.
"There was not much question that the Quds Force and the supreme leader ran that country with a strong arm, and there was not much question that this kind of opposing view could somehow gain any traction," he tells the Times.
"I think the whole legacy that he [Obama] was working on was, 'I'm the guy who's going to bring these [Mideast] wars to an end, and the last goddamn thing I need is to start another war.'"
Without naming him, Panetta suggested to the Times that Rhodes was one of several on Obama's staff who told the president only what he wanted to hear.
"They thought their job was not to go through this open process of having people present all these different options, but to try to force the process to where they thought the president wanted to be," he recalled.
"They'd say, 'Well, this is where we want you to come out.' And I'd say, '[expletive], that's not the way it works.' "
Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, even boasted about how he helped create the false narrative to mask that Iranian hard-liners were really calling the shots, the Times reports.
"We created an echo chamber," he tells the Times in a piece to appear in the Sunday magazine of the newspaper. "They were saying things that validated what we had given them to say," he adds about so-called experts praising the deal in the press.
According to the Times, when Rhodes was asked about his misleading version of the deal, Rhodes said, "In the absence of rational discourse, we are going to discourse the [expletive] out of this."
"We had test drives to know who was going to be able to carry our message effectively, and how to use outside groups like [the anti-nuke group] Ploughshares, the Iran Project and whomever else," he tells the Times.
Latest News Update
Leon Panetta, former secretary of defense, tells the Times the hard-line regime and its military arm was still in charge at the time of the Iran deal negotiations — despite what the administration said.
"There was not much question that the Quds Force and the supreme leader ran that country with a strong arm, and there was not much question that this kind of opposing view could somehow gain any traction," he tells the Times.
"I think the whole legacy that he [Obama] was working on was, 'I'm the guy who's going to bring these [Mideast] wars to an end, and the last goddamn thing I need is to start another war.'"
Without naming him, Panetta suggested to the Times that Rhodes was one of several on Obama's staff who told the president only what he wanted to hear.
"They'd say, 'Well, this is where we want you to come out.' And I'd say, '[expletive], that's not the way it works.' "
Related Stories:
© 2016 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Breaking News at Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Ben-Rhodes-Iran-Deal-Lie-Obama/2016/05/06/id/727569/#ixzz47uL0dOSh
A "None Of The Above" Vote Is One For Hillary. How Stupid Can Graham Be?
Lindsey Graham: I Won't Vote for Trump or Clinton
Friday, 06 May 2016 01:44 PM
Sen. Lindsey Graham has already made up his mind between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the November general election: He doesn't plan to vote for either one of them.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, told CNN Friday he doesn't believe Trump is a "reliable conservative Republican." And not voting for Clinton, he said, is an "easy" choice.
"Trumpism is not conservatism. That will be obvious to many people," Graham told reporter Dana Bash.
"Good luck to [House Speaker] Paul Ryan finding a conservative agenda with this guy. I don't think he has the temperament or judgment to be commander in chief. A lot of colleagues will vote for him. Some hold their nose. I can't go there with Donald."
Graham pointed to several reasons why he won't get onboard the Trump train, which has steamrolled through the primary season. Trump is the last active candidate in the race and became the Republican Party's presumptive nominee this week.
"Quite frankly, he lost me when he said my friend John McCain was a loser because he was captured as a POW," Graham said. "He lost me when he accused George W. Bush of lying to the American people about the Iraq war. And he thinks [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's a good guy. I can't go there. I respect people who can."
Graham also said he will join with other veteran Republicans this summer, including 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, both Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush, Arizona Sen. John McCain and others who plan to stay away from the party's national convention in Cleveland this July.
The South Carolina senator's refusal to vote for Trump is the latest in a series of complaints he has made about the New York businessman, who he labeled last year as a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot," who voters should tell to "go to hell."
"I have a hard time supporting somebody for president who spent thousands of dollars of their own money trying to find out if President Obama was born in Kenya vs. Hawaii," Graham told CNN. "I think that's crazy. I'm glad we're having the convention in Cleveland and not Area 51. I think Donald Trump is going to places where very few people have gone and I'm not going with him."
There are other former candidates, though, who plan to support Trump's nomination, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ex-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, although both said they still have some reservations.
"He is not a perfect man," Perry told CNN. "But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them."
Jindal, meanwhile, told CNN's "New Day" program Friday that he's voting for Trump "not because I had an epiphany, not that I think he's a Ronald Reagan. Nothing will convince me he is the next Reaganesque president. I'm voting for Donald Trump because I don't think we can afford four more years of liberal incompetence. I don't think Hillary Clinton is the right leader for our country."
Graham said he can't bring himself to vote for Clinton either, because that would lead to "a third term of Barack Obama." The pair worked closely on several matters when Clinton represented New York in the Senate.
Graham admitted he will support the new president from his Senate seat once he or she takes office next year.
"If [Trump] becomes president of the United States, I will do everything I can to help President Trump or President Clinton," Graham said. "Unfortunately, this is a race to the bottom in 2016. The two most unpopular people in modern history."
Graham also referenced Trump's Thursday post on Twitter that showed him eating a taco bowl, an apparent attempt at gaining support among Hispanics.
"Eating a taco is probably not going to fix the problems we have with Hispanics," he said. "I think embracing Donald Trump is embracing demographic death."
Since he's not concentrating on the presidential election, Graham plans to turn his focus on Republican congressional races, saying in his statement he plans to concentrate on South Carolina and nationwide and to "focus my time, energy and effort on raising resources and advocating for our Republican majorities in the House and Senate."
Graham posted his thoughts to Twitter shortly before the CNN interview aired.
Related Stories:
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, told CNN Friday he doesn't believe Trump is a "reliable conservative Republican." And not voting for Clinton, he said, is an "easy" choice.
"Trumpism is not conservatism. That will be obvious to many people," Graham told reporter Dana Bash.
"Good luck to [House Speaker] Paul Ryan finding a conservative agenda with this guy. I don't think he has the temperament or judgment to be commander in chief. A lot of colleagues will vote for him. Some hold their nose. I can't go there with Donald."
Graham pointed to several reasons why he won't get onboard the Trump train, which has steamrolled through the primary season. Trump is the last active candidate in the race and became the Republican Party's presumptive nominee this week.
Graham also said he will join with other veteran Republicans this summer, including 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, both Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush, Arizona Sen. John McCain and others who plan to stay away from the party's national convention in Cleveland this July.
The South Carolina senator's refusal to vote for Trump is the latest in a series of complaints he has made about the New York businessman, who he labeled last year as a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot," who voters should tell to "go to hell."
"I have a hard time supporting somebody for president who spent thousands of dollars of their own money trying to find out if President Obama was born in Kenya vs. Hawaii," Graham told CNN. "I think that's crazy. I'm glad we're having the convention in Cleveland and not Area 51. I think Donald Trump is going to places where very few people have gone and I'm not going with him."
There are other former candidates, though, who plan to support Trump's nomination, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ex-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, although both said they still have some reservations.
"He is not a perfect man," Perry told CNN. "But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them."
Jindal, meanwhile, told CNN's "New Day" program Friday that he's voting for Trump "not because I had an epiphany, not that I think he's a Ronald Reagan. Nothing will convince me he is the next Reaganesque president. I'm voting for Donald Trump because I don't think we can afford four more years of liberal incompetence. I don't think Hillary Clinton is the right leader for our country."
Graham admitted he will support the new president from his Senate seat once he or she takes office next year.
"If [Trump] becomes president of the United States, I will do everything I can to help President Trump or President Clinton," Graham said. "Unfortunately, this is a race to the bottom in 2016. The two most unpopular people in modern history."
Graham also referenced Trump's Thursday post on Twitter that showed him eating a taco bowl, an apparent attempt at gaining support among Hispanics.
"Eating a taco is probably not going to fix the problems we have with Hispanics," he said. "I think embracing Donald Trump is embracing demographic death."
Since he's not concentrating on the presidential election, Graham plans to turn his focus on Republican congressional races, saying in his statement he plans to concentrate on South Carolina and nationwide and to "focus my time, energy and effort on raising resources and advocating for our Republican majorities in the House and Senate."
Graham posted his thoughts to Twitter shortly before the CNN interview aired.
Related Stories:
© 2016 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Breaking News at Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/graham-clinton-trump-convention/2016/05/06/id/727609/#ixzz47uIngryR
Chris Matthews: Melania Trump Gives Him a Hot Mic Tingle
Friday, 06 May 2016 08:59 AM
Chris Matthews' hot mic gushing over Melania Trump's "runway walk" landed the controversial MSNBC talk show host in more hot water while other news media called his comments "lewd" and "gross."
Matthews was clearly taken by the attractiveness of Melania Trump, a former supermodel and wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, during the network's coverage of the Indiana primary, said Politico.
"Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good," Matthews said on an open microphone, reported Politico. "I could watch that runway show."
At least he didn't say she gave him a thrill up his leg, like Barack Obama does or did.
Matthews, host of the MSNBC political talk show "Hardball," was hosting the primary coverage with anchor Brian Williams. The show quickly went to commercials after Matthews' comments, noted Politico.
A representative for Melania Trump fired back at Matthews in a statement to Variety.
"Melania Trump is an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur in her own right, achieving tremendous success in a variety of industries, including an illustrious modeling career, as well as being a dedicated wife and mother," said her statement.
"It is unfortunate to see the continuous inaccuracies and misrepresentations made by the media of Mrs. Trump as anything less than the independently successful woman that she is."
Fox News called Matthews' comments about Melania Trump "lewd," while New York Magazine said they were "gross."
Variety reported that back in 2011 Matthews has said then Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin "could not be hotter as a candidate."
"When she walks and moves, there’s something electric about it. That she doesn't do on television with Roger Ailes sitting in that booth in Wasilla. Look at, there's something. Other candidates don't do this. She's constantly in motion. She looks, obviously, very attractive," Matthews said, per Variety.
CNN reported that in the 2008 presidential election cycle, Matthews negatively targeted current Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, saying that she looked like Nurse Ratched, a character in the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In an earlier incident, he called her looks "witchy," noted CNN.
People magazine reported that Matthews targeted CNN's Erin Burnett in 2001, telling her "come a little closer to the camera. … Look at that look! You're great. You're beautiful. I'm just kidding. You're a knockout."
Matthews' wife Kathleen ran for Congress in Maryland this year, but finished third in the Democratic primary, reported the Daily Caller.
Matthews was clearly taken by the attractiveness of Melania Trump, a former supermodel and wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, during the network's coverage of the Indiana primary, said Politico.
"Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God is that good," Matthews said on an open microphone, reported Politico. "I could watch that runway show."
Matthews, host of the MSNBC political talk show "Hardball," was hosting the primary coverage with anchor Brian Williams. The show quickly went to commercials after Matthews' comments, noted Politico.
A representative for Melania Trump fired back at Matthews in a statement to Variety.
"Melania Trump is an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur in her own right, achieving tremendous success in a variety of industries, including an illustrious modeling career, as well as being a dedicated wife and mother," said her statement.
"It is unfortunate to see the continuous inaccuracies and misrepresentations made by the media of Mrs. Trump as anything less than the independently successful woman that she is."
Fox News called Matthews' comments about Melania Trump "lewd," while New York Magazine said they were "gross."
Variety reported that back in 2011 Matthews has said then Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin "could not be hotter as a candidate."
Latest News Update
CNN reported that in the 2008 presidential election cycle, Matthews negatively targeted current Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, saying that she looked like Nurse Ratched, a character in the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In an earlier incident, he called her looks "witchy," noted CNN.
People magazine reported that Matthews targeted CNN's Erin Burnett in 2001, telling her "come a little closer to the camera. … Look at that look! You're great. You're beautiful. I'm just kidding. You're a knockout."
Matthews' wife Kathleen ran for Congress in Maryland this year, but finished third in the Democratic primary, reported the Daily Caller.
Related Stories:
© 2016 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Breaking News at Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/chris-matthews-melania-trump-hot-mic-tingle/2016/05/06/id/727514/#ixzz47uLKZHbw