Regular Fox guest Ben Stein is neither a foreign policy, nor nuclear proliferation, nor Middle East expert and he certainly isn’t a doctor. But Stein accused President Obama of being mentally ill when he recently defended his Iranian nuclear deal.
In his August 5th remarks, Obama accused Republicans of “making common cause” with the “Iranian hardliners” chanting “Death to America” for their rigid, ideological opposition to the deal that is out of synch with the mainstream. Rather than make a reasoned argument, Stein resorted to exactly the kind of rhetoric Obama was talking about.
STEIN: Mr. Obama, I think, is desperate. I’m not sure he’s well rested or in good mental health. The idea of comparing loyal, patriotic Americans with mullahs and the terrorists who want to destroy the United States and destroy Israel is simply incredible. It’s almost unbelievable. I think Mr. Obama doesn’t really understand how to have a civil discussion. …He went down to the lowest level of smear tactics.
Of course, Fox pundits often accuse Obama of being pro-Muslim and anti-American and nobody attacks them. In fact, Stein went on to do the same just a few moments later.
First, Stein likened those who support the deal to Mafiosi. “He (Obama) has his most loyal soldiers in Congress, and like the soldiers of the Godfathers and the Godfather, they will go to the mat for him. They’ll do anything for him," Stein accused. Even though many respected, knowledgeable authorities support the deal, too.
Then, Stein suggested Obama cares more about Iranian terrorists than the U.S.
STEIN: Who does he represent? Does he represent anybody but himself in his love and appreciation of the Iranian terrorist regime? Who does he represent?
Rather than challenge Stein, host Neil Cavuto gave the rhetoric his stamp of approval: “Ben Stein, powerful stuff as always my friend and I appreciate it.”
Watch it below, from the August 7 Your World, via Media Matters.