I am interested to watch as the election cycle winds down the various and sundry new “stories” which are finding their way to the news outlets. Lately, I've learned to look outside the box, which is to say, I rely as much as news media from other countries as in my own. My usual internet rounds this morning turned up an account of new and interesting subterfuge involving Presidential Gal Pal Valerie Jarrett, Iranian-born senior advisor to President Obama.
The Asia Times is reporting that Ms. Jarrett (who, by the way, enjoys the 24/7 protection of her own personal Secret Service detail – unlike the diplomats in Benghazi who were left to fend for themselves) traveled recently to Qatar in order to meet and treat with Iranian officials. Her mission was to broker a deal which would serve as an October Surprise for the President whose dereliction of duty in the Benghazi matter has him leaking votes at an alarming rate. In what may be a related story, we learn that members of the Iranian Red Crescent were found milling about the Benghazi compound a month or so before the September 11th attacks immediately following an explosion which damaged the compound wall. They appeared to be evaluating the damage the mortar caused. These seven men were immediately detained by Libyan forces, but were as unceremoniously released in early October coinciding with Jarrett’s meeting with the Iranians. Hummm.
Of course, such a deal might just slow down the vote hemorrhaging at the Obama Camp enough to get the man re-elected. It would be an impressive development if such an agreement were made with honorable men by honorable men (or women.) Since we are talking about Iranians and members of the Obama administration, it loses some credibility.
On the other hand, it might just cause the American electorate to see it for what it is – an attempt to wag the dog similar to Bill Clinton’s bombing of an aspirin factory on the eve of his impeachment hearings. Would it work to reconstitute the faith Americans once had in Barack Obama? I doubt it, but I never understood his appeal in the first place. I’m probably the last person to ask.
It’s important to remember that what we have here is a master of legerdemain. When you’re dealing with magicians, you’ve got to keep your eyes open for illusions. In presidential politics, seeing is not always believing.