Dark days for Obama’s White House

[Geee]

The Hill:

President Obama on Thursday will welcome Donald Trump to the White House, beginning a transition of power that is pure anguish for many in the Democratic Party.

 

The meeting, which seemed improbable just 72 hours ago, will likely stand as one of the most humbling moments of Obama’s presidency.

 

Trump rose to political stardom in Obama’s first term by questioning his birthplace, spurring Obama to label him a “carnival barker.” The feud carried over into this year’s campaign, where Obama repeatedly described Trump as unfit for the Oval Office.

But despite his efforts, and vigorous campaigning by first lady Michelle Obama, Trump vanquished Hillary Clinton with victories in swing states that Obama had carried in 2008 and 2012.

 

Now Obama must begin to hand the keys to the White House to a leader who has pledged to unravel much of his legacy, from ObamaCare to environmental protections to Wall Street reform and the Iran nuclear deal.

 

“I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy meeting,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.

 

Dark clouds hung over the White House the day before Trump’s visit, mirroring the mood inside the executive mansion.

[Valin]

Iran nuclear deal could collapse under Trump
Carol Morello
November 9 2016

The future of the historic nuclear agreement with Iran is in the air with the prospect that a Donald Trump administration could take steps that would cause Iran to abandon its commitments, experts said Wednesday.

Some characterized Trump’s election as a death knell for the deal, which was reached in 2014 and put into effect in January. It imposes limits on Iran’s nuclear program and its ability to build atomic weapons for at least 10 years in exchange for lifting most international sanctions.

“I think it’s basically the end game for the deal,” said Richard Nephew, a Columbia University fellow who was the lead sanctions expert on the U.S. negotiating team.

 

(Snip)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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