Forty seven GOP senators wrote to the ayatollah of Iran telling him that any nuclear deal made by Obama will be cancelled with the election of a new president.  I think it is safe to say that the negotiators from Iran have a very good understanding of how our government works.  I am sure they know the party of the current president may not be in power in 2017.  They also know about the difference between a treaty which needs the approval of the senate and an executive agreement.  So I don't think that Iran will stop negotiating after reading this letter.

But the letter is stupid in that gives the advantage to Iran.  Now if the negotiation breaks down, Iran can blame the Americans because the U.S. government as represented by these senators are going to go back on any deal.  Sure, the agreement may be a bad one and Iran can cheat after making the agreement.  But we can always restart sanctions if Iran does not keep their end of the bargain.  And what is the alternative?  Bomb Iran on behalf of Israel?  Israel is perfectly capable of doing that herself.  But it will only delay and not stop Iran from building the bomb.  If negotiation completely fails, can we count on our allies to continue sanction if it appears people in our own government is sabotaging the effort. 

In two days Israel will have their election.  Netanyahu's speech to Congress at the invitation of GOP was a political move by him and his hosts.  We will see if the citizens of Israel agree with them.

The GOP blockage of funding for homeland security is totally ridiculous.  They are willing to hold hostage the security of the country in an attempt to stop Obama's immigration policy?  There is no chance that they would succeed because they don't have enough vote to stop filibuster in the senate nor override a veto from Obama.  This is an exercise in futility.  Even most Republicans agree with this.  While this may not cripple the country in the short term, it will have consequences if the department is not funded.  Do you really want the people who are working in security lose their concentration because they are forced to work without a pay check?  Just like the debt default debacle a few years back, the confidence in the U.S. is at stake here.

I don't know why the GOP is wasting time on this and trying to kill Obamacare.  Their best chance in these are in the courts.  They have no chance legislative wise unless they elect a GOP president in 2016.  They can enhance their chances in that if they can show they can govern.  If they put out laws that are moderate, they have the votes to pass both houses.  Then if Obama vetoes then they can use that against the Democratic nominee.  If he signs, then the GOP show that they are reasonable and able to govern.  So if they are smart, they won't waste any more time trying to do things that are impossible and endanger America.

Speaking of presidential election, Rand Paul won a conservative poll this week while Jeb Bush got booed at the gathering.  Don't read too much into this.  Both Rand Paul and his father Ron had won this poll in the past and neither have been close in getting the nomination.  Jeb Bush is not a favorite among conservatives but he has the name and money.  With Romney bowing out, Bush is still viable among the moderates in the party.  I think Scott Walker is in a good position as he has placed himself between the extremists and moderates.  Plus he is from a toss up state that the GOP nominee needs to win to get elected.  So I would place him as the front runner at this time.