'What You Should Know': Schumer vs. Gillibrand

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

You should know that Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat and the Senior US Senator from the State of  New York has publicly declared that he will vote against President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.  In doing so, he is putting his political future as the next Leader of the United States Senate – which is just about the most important political position that exists in this great nation -  at great risk.

On the other hand, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, also a Democrat and the Junior representative from New York State has declared her support for President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. In doing so, she has broken apart from Senator Schumer who has been her mentor.

We all know that when Kirsten Gillibrand was first elected to represent New York in the US Senate, Senator Schumer took her under his wing, guided her and opened many doors for her. But like so many other people, now that Senator Schumer and the State of New York and the nation needs them to stand together, she has decided to go her own way sending a message that the New York State delegation is divided.  It looks like she is putting a nail in Senator Schumer’s political coffin, possibly ruining his chance to become the next Senate Leader.

In rejecting the deal, among other things, Senator Schumer explained the problems with President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.  According to Schumer: Iran’s government cannot be trusted; the deal has too many flaws; the deal has no real teeth; and the deal will make it too easy for Tehran to build a bomb.

Add to that, my dear reader, the billions of dollars that the United States of America will give to Iran’s government.

Doesn’t Senator Gillibrand understand any of this? Does Senator Gillibrand know something that Senator Schumer doesn’t already know? Will she be stepping over Schumer to become the next Senate Leader?

There are some people who think that by opposing President Obama’s Iran deal, Senator Schumer will lose all chances of becoming the Leader of the US Senate.  There are also some people who think that Senator Gillibrand might be taking advantage of this big disagreement between the President, Senator Schumer and national Democratic Leaders.  One question will be: What will the residents of New York State – including our Jewish community – do about Senator Gillibrand in the future?

On my behalf, I believe that Senator Chuck Schumer has shown immense leadership skills and independence by putting and protecting America and its people first, putting aside his personal political aspirations to become one of the most powerful people in the world.

I am State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.