# How effective was Obama's Iran speech at American University? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274 "2015-08-07T21:37:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/21 "2015-08-09T03:46:34Z")
As far as the effectiveness of his speech goes, effective speeches convince people who otherwise weren’t convinced. Obama’s speech failed to gain support from Democrats, and it failed to gain support from the American people, who went from cautious support of the deal to now wanting Congress to kill it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/22 "2015-08-09T03:53:36Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which still doesn’t make them the enemy. Domestic political opposition is opposition. An enemy is an enemy. The fact that many liberal politicians and their base doesn’t see a distinction will be explored at length in the coming campaign. ISIS does not have the means to do any damage here except by inspiring a very few lunatics. Haven’t seen that many of them other than that show in Texas. However, the various GOP candidates (and Congress) want to: 1.Repeal the ACA 2.Shut down or privatize SSI 3. Cut Medicare 4. Strip power from SCOTUS Think of how much damage will occur if even one of those things is done. And this is just a sampler. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/23 "2015-08-09T03:59:03Z")
Except for #4, which has actually historically been a Democrat priority and still gets trotted out when SCOTUS threatens to strike down their laws, you believe that those three are worse than 9/11? Or do you just not think ISIS capable of a 9/11-level attack? Now see here: > **[ISIS seen building capacity for mass casualty attacks | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/politics/isis-mass-casualty-strategy/index.html)** > > Some in the U.S. intelligence community warn that ISIS may be working to build the capability to carry out mass casualty attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/24 "2015-08-09T06:35:23Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Except for #4, which has actually historically been a Democrat priority and still gets trotted out when SCOTUS threatens to strike down their laws, you believe that those three are worse than 9/11? Seriously? Much worse than 9/11. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/25 "2015-08-09T07:02:55Z")
I really hope Obama runs with that. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/26 "2015-08-09T08:16:56Z")
And it would be really nice of administration officials and the President himself would stop insinuating that the Jews are part of the problem: > **[Crossing a Line to Sell a Deal](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/crossing-a-line-to-sell-a-deal)** > > Chuck Schumer is a politician—a skilled and successful one. Which means that today’s announcement, following months of wildly uncharacteristic silence, that the senior senator from New York is opposing the administration’s nuclear deal with Iran is... ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/27 "2015-08-09T12:39:58Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And it would be really nice of administration officials and the President himself would stop insinuating that the Jews are part of the problem: > > [http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/192751/crossing-a-line-to-sell-a-deal](http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/192751/crossing-a-line-to-sell-a-deal) So the president is not allowed to make the factually incontrovertible statement that money, lobbyists, and foreign interests are actively fighting to kill the deal, because somehow that’s blaming “Jews.” Perfect example of the right’s own version of “political correctness” that was pointed out on another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/28 "2015-08-09T13:48:12Z")
Democrats hate Jews, blah blah blah, Trump is going to win the Latino vote, blah blah blah. Both statements are equally plausible. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/29 "2015-08-09T13:57:29Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > As far as the effectiveness of his speech goes, effective speeches convince people who otherwise weren’t convinced. Obama’s speech failed to gain support from Democrats, and it failed to gain support from the American people, who went from cautious support of the deal to now wanting Congress to kill it. Several Democrats have come out in support of the deal. I can’t say that this speech was what convinced them, and you can’t say that this speech failed to convince anyone. We’ll find out at the final vote (and probable attempt to overturn a veto) in September. I think it’s extremely unlikely that the “no” votes get their 2/3rds in both houses. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/30 "2015-08-09T13:59:23Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And it would be really nice of administration officials and the President himself would stop insinuating that the Jews are part of the problem: > > [http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/192751/crossing-a-line-to-sell-a-deal](http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/192751/crossing-a-line-to-sell-a-deal) Cite that the President has insinuated that “Jews are part of the problem”? Your link fails to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/31 "2015-08-10T07:31:34Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I really hope Obama runs with that. What is Obama running for? You think 9/11 is worse than losing healthcare for millions? Killing Social Security? Killing Medicare? 9/11 was a horrible thing, but losing those social programs will have a far greater negative effect on the people of this country. But it may be a losing strategy in an election. Not realizing how cowardly people can be can lose you votes. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/32 "2015-08-10T07:38:28Z")
Tragic that more people believe they can protect themselves from financial problems than from terrorist attack? You should research Leon Blum. He prioritized social programs too. Didn’t work out so well for that particular President, or his people. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/33 "2015-08-10T13:35:44Z")
Did anyone notice that Obama seems to be preparing an “out” for himself? If the Iranians violate the agreement, or otherwise cheat, he has the answer ready. I saw the speech as an attempt to put a shine on a sneaker-he knows that agreement is full of holes, and he’s leaving a big pile of steaming turds for his successor. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/34 "2015-08-10T13:43:10Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Did anyone notice that Obama seems to be preparing an “out” for himself? If the Iranians violate the agreement, or otherwise cheat, he has the answer ready. > I saw the speech as an attempt to put a shine on a sneaker-he knows that agreement is full of holes, and he’s leaving a big pile of steaming turds for his successor. Please expand on that. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/35 "2015-08-10T13:48:31Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Eight posts before the obligatory _tu quoque_. Is it a tu quoque to point out that the other guy started the fight? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/36 "2015-08-10T13:49:08Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > He’s not very persuasive. All he really did was villify and present false choices: war or the agreement. How is it a false choice? The other parties with skin in the game have all signed off on the deal. US-only sanctions would be about as effective as farting in the Iranians’ general direction. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/37 "2015-08-10T13:50:16Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Tragic that more people believe they can protect themselves from financial problems than from terrorist attack? Repealing ACA would result in more American deaths than 9/11 did. But you’re right - Obama is no Reagan. I mean, not one person in his administration has sold any weapons to Iran. What a slacker. As for the speech: meh. Speeches are speeches. I doubt it changed anyone’s vote who hadn’t already made up their mind, and I’d be surprised if anyone hadn’t made up their mind before the speech. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/38 "2015-08-10T15:03:43Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Please expand on that. Certainly…the Iranians are given 24 days to “prepare” for an inspection-pretty easy to move stuff around. Obama already knows that Iran will use their $150 billion to re-equip -known terrorist groups (like Hezballah) with shiny new toys. European and American (and Russian) suppliers are salivating over this windfall. Even John Kerry has noted “the Iranians will proabbly fund terror”! So much for the Obama “legacy”. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/39 "2015-08-10T15:12:12Z")
Have you ever tried moving a uranium enrichment facility in 24 days? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274/40 "2015-08-10T15:15:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Have you ever tried moving a uranium enrichment facility in 24 days? Nope. How about moving enriched/bomb grade uranium? that is not too difficult to do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-was-obamas-iran-speech-at-american-university/727274.md?page=3)