At Last Press Conference of the Year, President Obama Avoids Addressing ‘Lie of the Year,’ Lies About Politics of Iran Bill Instead

In his last press conference of the year, President Barack Obama attacked a bipartisan group of 27 Senators led by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) for pushing through Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act. The bill would automatically trigger additional sanctions on Iran in a year if current peace talks fall through.

Citing politics, the President blamed the mounting pressures of the 2014 midterm elections (which are 10 and a half months away), “I’m not surprised that there’s been some talk from some members of Congress about new sanctions. I think the politics of trying to look tough on Iran are often good when you’re running for office.” Obama attempted to taper the statement by adding, “or if you’re in office” as an additional clause of his pontification on the matter. The administration claims that Congress merely considering such threats of sanctions make Iran less likely to complete negotiations currently going on with the international community.

But it turns out, the President’s claim doesn’t check out. Only 10 of the 27 cosponsors of the bill are vying for reelection during 2014. That amounts up to just 37% of the bipartisan group. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a cosponsors to the piece of legislation up for reelection next year, says the group is currently attempting to obtain two-thirds of the Senate as cosponsors in order to override a Presidential veto.

Thursday, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) authorized the bill to bypass traditional committee process, raising the possibility of an expedited vote. This move sparked questions about the civil war going on inside the Democrat party on this issue.

Some national security experts tell ViralRead that threats of new sanctions prevent global businesses from dealing with Iran until a deal is reached with the country.

President Obama recently was awarded with Politifact’s “Lie of the Year” award for his claim that insured citizens would not lose their coverage due to Obamacare regulations. Ironically, Obama chose not to address the claim by Politifact at the press conference, instead addressing the Iran legislation asked by the very same reporter in a two-part question.

Though not the lie of the year, the Democratic President’s claims about the Democrat-controlled Senate’s consideration for new Iran sanctions is false.

 

The Washington Post provides a full transcript of the press conference.

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