Israel Matzav

'Look, the alternative is unacceptable, and this is actually a good deal'

Democrats who met with Clinton said she strongly endorsed the nuclear accord during their meeting with her.

"She endorsed it — full-throated — and described her own role in helping to build the coalition … that led to this," Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said leaving the closed-door meeting in the Capitol. "She laid out, 'Look, the alternative is unacceptable, and this is actually a good deal.' That's her words."

"She was not equivocal at all in her support for the agreement as she understands it," Connolly added.

Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who voiced his own skepticism, also said Clinton is backing the agreement.

"She did say the core elements are worth supporting," Israel said. "She believes that we have an obligation to review all the details."

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Congress now has 60 days to review the accord.

Israel said Clinton's position on the issue will hold great sway among congressional Democrats ahead of that vote. He described her influence as second only to President Obama on the issue.

"There's no question that her opinion is critically important," he said.

One House Democrat, who spoke anonymously in order to discuss the private conversation, suggested Clinton's message to the Democrats carried stronger tones of support than her cautious public remarks.

"She was highlighting the positives within the report, and it sounded to me as if she would be more inclined to support it," the lawmaker said.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary Clinton, Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iranian nuclear threat, Steve Israel, United States Congress, US presidential campaign 2016

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:40 PM