Republican Sen. John McCain was hedging this week in the face of extreme backlash for signing a letter to Iranian leaders, but changed his tune Thursday, saying he stands by the letter.
Liberal news outlets seized on comments McCain made Tuesday night on Fox News, construing them as a sign of regret for signing the letter, which Democrats implied was treasonous. (RELATED: The Media’s Reaction To The Iran Letter Is Nothing Short Of Apocalyptic)
“Maybe that wasn’t the best way to do that, but I think the Iranians should know that the Congress of the United States has to play a role in an agreement of this magnitude,” he told Greta Van Susteren.
He also got grief for saying Wednesday the snowstorm last week contributed to a quick decision to sign the letter. “I think we probably should have had more discussion about it, given the blowback that there is,” he told Politico.
But he reiterated his support for the letter on the Senate floor Thursday. Iranian leaders need to understand that Congress must be involved in any future deal, he said, and President Obama triggered the letter by threatening to veto any congressional role in a future deal.
“That is what triggered the letter from Sen. Cotton, and that’s why I stand by it,” he said. “Seventy-one percent of the Americans believe negotiations with Tehran will not make a difference in preventing Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Mr. President, 71 percent of the American people are right.”
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