National Security Adviser Susan Rice, who has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s acceptance of an invitation to address Congress was “destructive” to the fabric of the relationship between the United States and Israel, herself addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference Monday evening.
The highlight of her speech was undoubtedly the standing ovation she received for acknowledging the desire for a complete halt to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. The look on her face while waiting for the cheers to die down so she could add “but” and finish her sentence: priceless.
Tough crowd https://t.co/XioR5ebHfI
— Dorsey Shaw (@dorseyshaw) March 3, 2015
Aside from that gem, Rice’s speech was panned widely by reporters, many who thought Rice was trying a bit too hard to relate to the audience and smooth over comments made by both her and the president, such as his mention of the “random” shooting by an Islamic terrorist of “a bunch of folks” in that deli in Paris.
Yikes @daveweigel: Before Susan Rice got up to speak at AIPAC, the video screens played friendly reminders not to boo anybody.
— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) March 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572536627064532992
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572537408341741568
At this point, Susan Rice has used more Hebrew in her speech to AIPAC than Netanyahu did in his
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) March 2, 2015
Which Hebrew school did Susan Rice attend before tonight’s speech?
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) March 2, 2015
Susan Rice says as a mother her heart breaks when thinking about the 3 young Israelis killed in the West Bank. "They were our boys"
— Bahman Kalbasi (@BahmanKalbasi) March 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572538102679379969
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572538407387152384
"President Obama's commitment to #Israel is deep, and personal," Rice says. "I know because I see it every day." #jpost
— Michael Wilner (@mawilner) March 2, 2015
.@AmbassadorRice: As President Obama said all options are on the table in order to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) March 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572542054787502080
Susan Rice at AIPAC on nuclear talks with Iran: "a bad deal is worse than no deal."
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572543148376768513
Susan Rice is making up for the "destructive" comment. Says sanctions are a tool not an end.
— Bahman Kalbasi (@BahmanKalbasi) March 2, 2015
So without a deal, Rice is saying, Iran will build a bomb. Also, with a deal, Iran will build a bomb. This is really astounding.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) March 2, 2015
“@joshrogin: Rice calls taking away Iran's uranium enrichment "neither realistic nor achievable." #AIPAC2015 Crowd not happy.”
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) March 2, 2015
Now, Rice takes a shot at Bibi: “Sound bites won’t stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) March 2, 2015
Soundbites won't stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, says Susan Rice. That's a soundbite, you dope.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) March 2, 2015
Rice is making the case to #AIPAC2015 to accept a nuclear weapons capable #Iran. Huh.
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) March 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572546277361111040
Rice, cleaning up the Obama "random" mess on Paris kosher grocery some more, says Jews were "singled out" for "hate"
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) March 3, 2015
"when Jews in a kosher supermarket in Paris are singled out" — ie, not randonly @AmbassadorRice #AIPAC15
— (((Kampeas))) (@kampeas) March 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/JeffreyGoldberg/status/572547169049169922
Susan Rice: People should be free in their own land. #Awkward.
— Bahman Kalbasi (@BahmanKalbasi) March 3, 2015
People are walking out before Rice’s speech is done
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) March 3, 2015
I hope there's a well-stocked bar at the AIPAC reception following Susan Rice's speech.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) March 3, 2015
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