Lindsey Graham leading on Iran

Few would argue — and they likely would not be worth listening to — that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) isn’t one of the most expert voices in the U.S. Congress on Iran, hasn’t been tough on the Obama administration over Iran or likes the proposed framework for a nuclear deal Obama is considering agreeing to with the Iranian regime.

{mosads}But Graham is asking his fellow Republicans to stop trying to amend legislation now under consideration by the Senate, allowing Congress to review the deal, because their attempts to strengthen the deal could actually cut Congress right out of the process, likely leading to an even worse deal. Once the bill attracted substantial bipartisan support, President Obama dropped his previous threat to veto the legislation, but has warned any chances could bring the threat right back.

Several Republicans, some of whom are running for president, have proposed numerous changes to strengthen the nuclear deal. They include forcing the deal to require Iran to recognize the state of Israel, for example, that almost every member of Congress in either party would normally vote for — along with their support for apple pie. However, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who has written the bipartisan review language with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), is pleading with all senators not to rock the boat.

Graham was characteristically blunt, telling those Republicans who don’t think the compromise is strong enough, but haven’t been involved in the process, that “Most of you haven’t lifted a finger to solve this problem. Most of you haven’t met with one Democrat. So don’t parachute in here at the end with an idea that will destroy what I think is one of the most important pieces of legislation that I’ll ever deal with,” he said.

Graham, who may run for president, doesn’t have much chance of becoming the GOP nominee, but he promises to bring the sobering debate over national security and foreign policy to the 2016 campaign, whether the contenders like it or not. For this, we should thank him, as these issues were largely ignored during the 2012 campaign. All GOP candidates and potential candidates should consider themselves warned that Graham will not be shy about taking on not only those who aren’t sure of what they are talking about, but those who try to avoid taking tough positions on difficult issues, like what the next commander in chief plans to do about the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Hawks, doves and everyone in between: be on notice.

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