John Kerry Obliterates Marco Rubio’s Conspiracy Theory On Iran

[DonViejo]

BY IGOR VOLSKY POSTED ON MARCH 11, 2015 AT 11:04 AM

Secretary of State John Kerry decisively shut down Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) theory that the United States purposely lacks a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS because it fears antagonizing the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.

During a tense exchange with Kerry at a Senate Foreign Relations committee on Wednesday, Rubio confronted the former Massachusetts senator. “I believe that much of our strategy with regards to ISIS is being driven by a desire not to upset Iran so they don’t walk away from the negotiating table on the deal that you’re working on,” the potential GOP presidential candidate declared. “Tell me why I’m wrong.”

Kerry responded forcefully. “Because the facts completely contradict that,” he said, before offering to discuss more details in classified session with Rubio. But the likely GOP presidential contender didn’t take up the offer and pressed on with the line of questioning, claiming that the United States is going easy on terrorism because Iran does not support America’s campaign against ISIS.

“They would welcome our bombing of ISIS, actually, they want us to destroy ISIS, ISIS is a threat to them, it’s a threat to the region and I think you’re misreading it if you think there is a mutual interest with respect to Daesh [the Arabic name for ISIS] from every country in the region,” Kerry responded.

Watch the exchange here.

Kerry added that the nuclear talks have not impacted America’s strategy in Iraq and Syria. “There is no grand bargain being discussed here in the context of this negotiation. This is about a nuclear weapon potential, that’s it.” Rubio floated his theory again, this time suggesting that America’s coalition in its fight against ISIS also believes that the nuclear talks are undermining the goal of defeating terrorists.

“Senator, that actually is flat wrong also, flat wrong,” Kerry said. “I just came back from the meeting in the Gulf in Riyadh. I met with King Solmon who completely supported what we’re doing. I met with all of the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] members, they all sat around the table and they all articulated their support for what we’re doing and they believe we are better off trying to prevent them from getting a bomb diplomatically.”

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http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/03/11/3632393/john-kerry-obliterates-marco-rubios-conspiracy-theory-iran/?

[CJCRANE]

1. I always wonder if some GOPers are as ignorant as they appear to be

or do they have to work at it?

[immoderate]

3. Rubio is as dumb as a lox.

--imm

[sabrina 1]

10. What they do is a 'tactic'. Facts are not important, HEADLINES are. You see the same tactic

on internet forums btw.

First they have a goal in mind. Or I should say, their bosses/handlers.

In this case it is War with Iran, has been for more than a decade. But even Bush the lesser backed away from that madness, reportedly causing a rift between him and Cheney.

With the goal in sight always, whoever writes their material emphasizes certain 'points'.

In this case it is obvious the goal, having nothing to do with any facts, is to create headlines: Iran loves ISIS! Painting a picture of the 'enemy', Iran. The fact that Iran hates ISIS or fears them, isn't important and needs to be over looked. Because we have a puppet non-questioning media, the trick will work.

Talking points put in the form of questions for the MSM to pick up.

Rubio may be dumb, and I think that is a requirement for Koch funded tools in Congress, but he can read the memos.

The other tactic is to put people on the defensive by asking 'pointed' questions.

Dems need to learn about these tactics and develop a strategy as to how to handle them.

One good strategy is to respond to their 'pointed' questions WITH questions. Put THEM in the 'witness box'.

In the case of Rubio, Kerry did sort of do that, but he did it too nicely imo.

Dems should know the tactics by now and should start developing counter tactics to deal with theirs as soon as they attempt to use them.

[spanone]

2. rubio is one smarmy little shit who is totally not ready for primetime.

flat wrong is waaaay too kind

[global1]

4. Rubio Was Playing To The Camera & Had Talking Points He Wanted Out....

He's looking for the Repug nomination and him supposedly asking Kerry tough questions or positing theories are all things that he thinks make him look tough and of presidential timber. If you watch Fox News (and I don't) I suppose you'll see how they'll take his line of questioning and twist it to make Kerry look bad.

[underpants]

5. Yep he had questions/statements to read and the answers didn't matter

He will be heralded as a hero in Fox

[VWolf]

6. Does this guy even know how to debate???

"Tell my why I'm wrong"

FFS! That completely opens the door to a rebuttal. Might as well have said "Tell me why I'm batshit crazy"

If this is the best the republicans have, they're in a heap of trouble.

[Dollface]

7. Breaking News: Professor tries to explain foreign policy to Gilligan

[Corey_Baker08]

8. Secretary of State John Kerry Takes No Shit!

One of the finest public servants of my life & I am proud to call him my hero...

[lark]

9. Just how stupid is Rubio?

My God, I had no idea he was this ignorant. Iran is fighting ISIS tooth and nail. ISIS is Sunni and decidedly hostile to Shiites, and Iran is Shiite. They are heavily in Iraq fighting the Sunni ISIS. It's really scary that Rubio claims he isn't aware of this and that he doesn't seem to understand the difference between the sects. We created ISIS ourselves when trying to fight Assad, at the urging of prominent idiots (Repugs) like Graham and McCain.

[cynzke]

12. It was reported last night on Rachel Maddow, that

Some of the top Generals from Iran's Republican Guard are in Iraq right now fighting alongside and assisting Iraqi troops.

[JI7]

11. Rachel Maddow has said that Rubio has a rick perry/w bush problem

Said he is talked up for national ticket because on paper things like being from a major state and being Latino sound good.

But when you actually listen to him he comes off as an idiot

[WestSeattle2]

13. Rubio always looks and sounds like the little boy begging to sit at the adult table. Presidential

material? I think not, unless it's for class prez of South Miami Sr. High.

The international community would swat him around like a cat with a play toy.