The Iran incident complicated Obama’s effort to counter claims by critics that the escalating chaos in the Middle East is the result of a deficit of U.S. leadership and emboldened attacks by GOP presidential candidates who contend his “weak” performance as commander in chief has opened vacuums exploited by U.S. enemies.
Republican candidates and lawmakers immediately seized on the incident to charge that Obama has emboldened Iran’s aggressive behavior in its neighborhood by offering sanctions relief in return for a halting of its nuclear weapons program.
“This is the latest manifestation of the weakness of Barack Obama, that every bad actor … views Obama as a laughingstock,” Cruz said on WRKO radio.RELATED: Cruz launches into barrage of attacks on Trump
Rubio said Iran’s provocations were the result of having a “weak president” in the Oval Office. “Iran is testing the boundaries of this administration’s resolve. And they know the boundaries are pretty wide and this administration is willing to let them get away with many things,” said Rubio on Fox News.
And Colorado Republican Sen. Cory Gardner told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” that Obama should delay the start of his speech “to talk about what has happened.”
Haley says Obama record has fallen short
Republicans agree with Obama that his presidency has been transformational — but in a bad way. They believe he has presided over anemic growth rates, wielded executive power on immigration, gun control and climate change to thwart the Constitution, is oblivious to the severity of Islamist terrorism and has engineered an era of declining American power in the The GOP highlighted one of its rising stars, Haley, who often is touted as a possible vice presidential nominee, in its official televised response to the President’s address.
RELATED: Nikki Haley prepares for moment in the spotlight
Haley painted an unflattering picture of Obama’s America and said the nation would soon have a chance to turn the page in remarks which also seemed to be a repudiation of Trump.
“The President’s record has often fallen far short of his soaring words,” Haley said.
“Many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We’re feeling a crushing national debt, a health care plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available, and chaotic unrest in many of our cities. Even worse, we are facing the most dangerous terrorist threat our nation has seen since September 11th, and this president appears either unwilling or unable to deal with it.”
Haley took a shot at Obama’s foreign policy record, saying a Republican president would “make international agreements that were celebrated in Israel and protested in Iran, not the other way around.”
Decries ‘siren call of the angriest voices’
The governor also highlighted her personal story as a daughter of Indian immigrants and draw a contrast with some of the rhetoric currently on display in the primary campaign.
“Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory,” she said. “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.”
RELATED: Nikki Haley’s State of the Union response will include jab at Donald Trump
Tuesday’s address before a packed House chamber also marked the debut of House Speaker Paul Ryan — a longtime Obama rival — on the platform alongside Biden.
And as per tradition, one Cabinet member did not attend the speech. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was named as the “designated survivor.” – CNN
