Like all reasonable Americans, I'm rather appalled at the letter from the 47 GOP Senators to Iran. However, regarding politics, I'm always curious for hidden angles of manipulation, even by allies.
Note the following analysis is pure speculation. I'm referring to this idea that popped into my head in the wee hours: the letter from the 47 GOP Sens functions as the "bad cop" to Obama's "good cop" in the nuclear negotiations with Iran.
The 47 GOP senators are likely not in on this plan. All it would take is an Obama-leaning double agent in the halls of power to whisper to an ambitious GOP Senator: "Hey why don't you write a separate letter to Iran?"
The GOP would jump at the chance to undermine Obama, as they always do. They are knee-jerkin' clowns who wouldn't pass the Turing Test if you asked them questions about the president, and as such become predictable, easily manipulated and therefore, useful.
Everybody wins: the GOP gets a big show of disrespecting Obama simply by penning a letter that reads like a poorly-edited high school essay. Their base gets to watch the show and think something is getting done. Those of us who despise the GOP can be relied upon to note publicly how much we hate them. Most importantly, however, Obama gets leverage on the negotiation table like this: "You see these nutcases I have to deal with? They want war and I'm the only one holding them back. Now come on, Iran, give me a little more." Obama also now has an excuse should the negotiations fail.
Remember, please, this is PURE SPECULATION. Unlike Fox News, I label flights of fancy as such. I am not a journalist. I have no facts to back this up, other than observation and a skeptical eye toward the hidden world behind all things political. It's entirely possible I'm over-thinking this. However, I think the idea is worth a moment's consideration at what may be going on behind the scenes. Peace.
Larry Nocella is the author of the anti-war, progressive-leaning thriller novel, The Katrina Contract, available on Amazon.