Murphy predictably fell in line behind President Obama as he continues to make partisan politics a higher priority than national security.
But when pressed by the Miami Herald, Murphy’s explanation for his vote to greenlight ransom payments reflects an astounding lack of self-awareness, even for Murphy.
“In her initial statement, Moffet said: ‘The (Obama) Administration has repeatedly made clear that the funds transferred were a settlement of a long-standing claim at the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal at The Hague which dates back to the Iranian revolution.’” (Kristen Clark, “Marco Rubio, Republicans Use Iran To Attack Patrick Murphy On Foreign Policy,” Miami Herald, 9/23/16)
Good enough then!
Well, except for one detail. The Obama administration already admitted that payments to Iran were withheld until American prisoners were released. Someone might want to explain to Murphy that is the literal definition of a ransom payment.
“The Obama administration said Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran seven months ago was contingent on the release of a group of American prisoners. It is the first time the U.S. has so clearly linked the two events, which critics have painted as a hostage-ransom arrangement.” (Bradley Klapper, “US Says $400M To Iran Was Contingent On Release Of Prisoners,” Associated Press, 8/18/16)
In a second statement to the Miami Herald, Murphy’s office admitted, well, yes, he really does support ransom payments to state sponsors of terrorism:
“When asked by the Herald/Times why Murphy opposed the bill, his congressional spokeswoman Erin Moffet initially did not specify the reason for Murphy’s vote, but then later explained his position in a follow-up statement. “‘It is not in our nation’s best interest to tie this and the next president’s hands from being able to settle claims, which this politically motivated bill would do by preventing the U.S. government from making future payments – even if required by law,’ Moffet said.” (Kristen Clark, “Marco Rubio, Republicans Use Iran To Attack Patrick Murphy On Foreign Policy,” Miami Herald, 9/23/16)
So there’s the official explanation: Patrick Murphy does not support ransom payments, but he won’t stop the Obama administration from making them, and since it turns out that the Iran cash transfer was a ransom payment, then he really supports them after all.