This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/25/world/middleeast/wild-cards-remain-as-democrats-add-supporters-on-iran-deal.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wild Cards Remain as Democrats Add Supporters on Iran Deal Wild Cards Remain as Democrats Add Supporters on Iran Deal
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — With Senator Harry Reid’s undiluted endorsement Sunday of the Iran nuclear accord, followed by Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan on Monday, supporters of the deal are closing in on the number they need to ensure it goes into force. WASHINGTON — With Senator Harry Reid’s undiluted endorsement Sunday of the Iran nuclear accord, followed by Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan on Monday, supporters of the deal are closing in on the number they need to ensure it goes into force.
But the ranks of Democratic undecideds are still full of quirks and wild cards, from a freshman senator from Michigan whose closest aide has a pro-Israeli government bent to lawmakers inclined toward avoiding military conflict but from states where any position in support of President Obama is toxic. But the ranks of undecided Democrats are still full of quirks and wild cards, from a freshman senator from Michigan whose closest aide has a pro-Israeli government bent to lawmakers inclined toward avoiding military conflict but from states where any position in support of President Obama is toxic.
More vexing still, Democratic leaders worry that Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, could allow a resolution of disapproval of the deal to be loaded with politically charged amendments, such as making it contingent on Iran’s recognizing the State of Israel or releasing American prisoners.More vexing still, Democratic leaders worry that Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, could allow a resolution of disapproval of the deal to be loaded with politically charged amendments, such as making it contingent on Iran’s recognizing the State of Israel or releasing American prisoners.
“You could imagine how difficult those amendments could be,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat charged with rounding up votes for the deal. “And you’ve got four presidential candidates all trying to break into Fox’s top 10. The possibilities are endless.”“You could imagine how difficult those amendments could be,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat charged with rounding up votes for the deal. “And you’ve got four presidential candidates all trying to break into Fox’s top 10. The possibilities are endless.”
For all the millions of dollars pumped into the campaigns for and against the deal, the dire warnings on both sides and the threats of political repercussion, this August has not been a caldron akin to the recess of 2009, when Democrats were pummeled in town-hall meetings over the Affordable Care Act. Even the defection of the Senate’s No. 3 Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, did not fundamentally change an issue that has largely broken along party lines.For all the millions of dollars pumped into the campaigns for and against the deal, the dire warnings on both sides and the threats of political repercussion, this August has not been a caldron akin to the recess of 2009, when Democrats were pummeled in town-hall meetings over the Affordable Care Act. Even the defection of the Senate’s No. 3 Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, did not fundamentally change an issue that has largely broken along party lines.
Numerically, the agreement between Iran and six world powers to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions is on the cusp of being safe. Republican leaders in the House and Senate have promised votes by mid-September on a resolution to scuttle the deal, which Mr. Obama would then veto.Numerically, the agreement between Iran and six world powers to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions is on the cusp of being safe. Republican leaders in the House and Senate have promised votes by mid-September on a resolution to scuttle the deal, which Mr. Obama would then veto.
About 150 House Democrats signed a letter this spring tentatively backing the accord — just over the number needed to sustain a promised veto of a congressional resolution to disapprove the deal. So far, there have been no defections from that group and a handful of new supporters.About 150 House Democrats signed a letter this spring tentatively backing the accord — just over the number needed to sustain a promised veto of a congressional resolution to disapprove the deal. So far, there have been no defections from that group and a handful of new supporters.
In the Senate, the recent declarations of support by Democrats from Republican-leaning states — like Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Claire McCaskill of Missouri — have substantially reduced the possibility that opponents will be able to muster 67 votes in the Senate to override a veto — if the resolution remains a simple up or down vote on the Iran deal.In the Senate, the recent declarations of support by Democrats from Republican-leaning states — like Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Claire McCaskill of Missouri — have substantially reduced the possibility that opponents will be able to muster 67 votes in the Senate to override a veto — if the resolution remains a simple up or down vote on the Iran deal.
“Joe Donnelly had to be on anyone’s list if you were trying to get to 67,” said Senator Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, who remains undecided.“Joe Donnelly had to be on anyone’s list if you were trying to get to 67,” said Senator Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, who remains undecided.
The aim now for Democrats is not just to sustain a veto but to block Republicans from even passing a motion of disapproval. To do that, Republicans need to be unified and also win six Democratic defections. So far, the only Senate Democrats to reject the accord are Mr. Schumer and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.The aim now for Democrats is not just to sustain a veto but to block Republicans from even passing a motion of disapproval. To do that, Republicans need to be unified and also win six Democratic defections. So far, the only Senate Democrats to reject the accord are Mr. Schumer and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.
Mr. Durbin said he has made the case for the agreement with every Democratic senator, and Mr. Reid promised Sunday to lend his weight to that effort. But first, Mr. Durbin said, Democrats must hold together to block any effort to add amendments to the resolution of disapproval that would make it more politically fraught. Mr. Durbin said he has made the case for the agreement with every Democratic senator, and Mr. Reid promised to lend his weight to that effort. But first, Mr. Durbin said, Democrats must hold together to block any effort to add amendments to the resolution of disapproval that would make it more politically fraught.
Don Stewart, a spokesman for Mr. McConnell, said Monday that while the resolution will be open to amendments, “most senators will want to vote on the deal itself, not an amended version of the deal.”Don Stewart, a spokesman for Mr. McConnell, said Monday that while the resolution will be open to amendments, “most senators will want to vote on the deal itself, not an amended version of the deal.”
Undecided Democrats said they have been pouring over the deal as they decide whether to thwart the resolution by filibuster.Undecided Democrats said they have been pouring over the deal as they decide whether to thwart the resolution by filibuster.
“I’ve been digging into documents, speaking to the administration and to opponents,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, voicing the kind of hand-wringing that has left the accord’s fate still undecided. “I’ve raised issues with the administration. I’m awaiting responses, and they could be determinative.”“I’ve been digging into documents, speaking to the administration and to opponents,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, voicing the kind of hand-wringing that has left the accord’s fate still undecided. “I’ve raised issues with the administration. I’m awaiting responses, and they could be determinative.”
Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan freshman, remains mum, even after Representative Sander Levin of Michigan, the longest-serving Jewish House member, endorsed it, as did his respected brother, the recently retired chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin. Democrats are concerned that Mr. Peters’ chief of staff, Eric Feldman, who many Democrats said strongly supports the Israeli government, may be nudging him toward opposition.Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan freshman, remains mum, even after Representative Sander Levin of Michigan, the longest-serving Jewish House member, endorsed it, as did his respected brother, the recently retired chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin. Democrats are concerned that Mr. Peters’ chief of staff, Eric Feldman, who many Democrats said strongly supports the Israeli government, may be nudging him toward opposition.
Senator Ron Wyden, a mercurial member on many issues, is being buffeted between urban Oregon’s liberal voters already angry about his instrumental role in passing free trade legislation and his Jewish roots. His parents were Holocaust survivors. Senator Ron Wyden, a mercurial member on many issues, is being buffeted between his Jewish roots and urban Oregon’s liberal voters already angry about his instrumental role in passing free trade legislation. His parents fled Nazi Germany.
Among the undecided senators, Democrats are closely watching for a signal from Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin said. Mr. Coons said he has spoken with President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., and is pressing for assurances that the administration will bolster military efforts in the Middle East to defend Israel and counter Iran’s non-nuclear aggression. Among the undecided senators, Democrats are closely watching for a signal from Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin said. Mr. Coons said he has spoken with Mr. Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., and is pressing for assurances that the administration will bolster military efforts in the Middle East to defend Israel and counter Iran’s non-nuclear aggression.
Another undeclared senator, like Maria Cantwell of Washington, has been focused on wildfires that have consumed nearly 744,000 acres in Washington and the West, said Bryan Watt, her spokesman. Another undeclared senator, Maria Cantwell of Washington, has been focused on wildfires that have consumed nearly 744,000 acres in Washington and the West, said Bryan Watt, her spokesman.
Still others appear genuinely conflicted. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia leans heavily toward approving the deal. He and Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were among the first Democrats to oppose President Obama’s push to bomb Syria after the government of President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against civilians, and both are leery of foreign entanglements. But anti-Obama sentiments in West Virginia can be feverish, regardless of the issue. North Dakotans may be feeling the same way. Still others appear genuinely conflicted. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia leans heavily toward approving the deal. He and Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota were among the first Democrats to oppose Mr. Obama’s push to bomb Syria after the government of President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against civilians, and both are leery of foreign entanglements. But anti-Obama sentiments in West Virginia can be feverish, and North Dakotans may be feeling the same way.
The last, most important voice might be that of Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a religious Jew with his eye on Israeli opinion. But Mr. Cardin also tends toward optimism on diplomacy, and many Democrats believe he will come out in favor of the nuclear accord — possibly at the last moment.The last, most important voice might be that of Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a religious Jew with his eye on Israeli opinion. But Mr. Cardin also tends toward optimism on diplomacy, and many Democrats believe he will come out in favor of the nuclear accord — possibly at the last moment.
Even fierce opponents of the Iran deal say the momentum is on the president’s side. On Monday, besides Ms. Stabenow, at least three House Democrats came out for the accord, bringing the total to around 64, with 13 opposed. If all Republicans vote no, Mr. Obama can afford 42 Democratic defections in the House. Even opponents of the Iran deal say the momentum is on the president’s side. On Monday, besides Ms. Stabenow, at least four House Democrats came out for the accord, bringing the total to around 65, with 13 opposed.
Mr. Reid told reporters in Nevada Monday that other Democrats will be coming out for the deal in the coming days. Mr. Reid told reporters in Nevada Monday that other Democrats will be announcing support for the deal in the coming days.
Republican voices from Brent Scowcroft, a national security adviser to two Republican presidents, and Hank Paulson, George W. Bush’s Treasury secretary, to the conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan have voiced their support as well. Republican voices from Brent Scowcroft, a national security adviser to two Republican presidents, and Henry M. Paulson Jr., President George W. Bush’s Treasury secretary, to the conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan have voiced their support as well.
“It is an uphill battle, no question,” said Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and an opponent. “It is a heavy lift” to stop it.“It is an uphill battle, no question,” said Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and an opponent. “It is a heavy lift” to stop it.