Obama defends comparing GOP to Iranian hardliners as he starts 17-day visit with wealthy hardliners on Martha's Vineyard

Greg P. | 7:09 PM on August 07, 2015

In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that’s set to air on Sunday at 10 a.m EST, President Obama doubled down on his rhetoric from Thursday where he compared Republican opposition to his Iran deal with “those hardliners chanting death to America” in Iran.

Because, he totally believes it. From CNN:

President Barack Obama is standing by his comparison between Iranian hardliners and Republicans who he says are dead set on derailing any nuclear deal.

“What I said is absolutely true, factually,” Obama told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in an interview that will air in full Sunday.

“The truth of the matter is, inside of Iran, the people most opposed to the deal are the Revolutionary Guard, the Quds Force, hardliners who are implacably opposed to any cooperation with the international community,” Obama said.

Here’s a preview:

.@FareedZakaria previews his interview with @POTUS about the #IranDeal http://t.co/dU2GFN5TFQ http://t.co/pyiOeaGNBm

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 7, 2015

Does this mean that Sen. Schumer stands with the Iranian hardliners, too?

'Deep study, careful thought and considerable soul searching' led Chuck Schumer to oppose Iran deal http://t.co/vHhlFnt0va

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 7, 2015

Anyway, President Obama can’t be too concerned about the Iran deal as he left earlier today for a 17-day vacation where he’ll hobnob with wealthy hardliners on Martha’s Vineyard:

Almost vacation time. Pres and Mrs Obama and daughter Sasha walk out to Marine One. pic.twitter.com/hr6xrbyHFA

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 7, 2015