Obama Likens GOP Nuke Deal Foes to Iran Hardliners

President Barack Obama went to American University to push his arms deal with Iran. It was a speech filled with comparisons. He compared himself to John F. Kennedy, and he wasn't shy about trumpeting his accomplishment.

"This is the strongest nonproliferation deal ever negotiated," Obama told the audience.

The president compared those who are against the agreement to politicians who pushed for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and he compared Republicans to Iranian hardliners.

"In fact, it's those hardliners who are most comfortable with the status quo," he said. "It's those hardliners chanting 'Death to America' who have been most opposed to the deal. They're making common cause with the Republican caucus."

Obama warned that if Congress blocks the deal next month, it will put the United States on the path to some form of war.

But Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said that's not true.

"Everyone in the U.S. knows that this president not going to take military action," Corker said. "Iran knows that!"

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports the deal is "hemorrhaging support."

A new poll shows the public opposes the deal by a 2-1 margin, and it's reported three Jewish Democrats in the House are now against it.

Critics have a lot not to like: the lack of proper inspections, the secret "side deals," and the danger to Israel.

Democratic lawmakers may get an earful from constituents during their August recess, before Congress votes on the deal in September.