Obama's blistering criticisms aimed at the Israeli government and its neocon supporters were accurate and unflinching, including the obvious fact that what they really crave is regime change and war. About opposition to the deal from the Israeli government, he said: "It would be an abrogation of my constitutional duty to act against my best judgment simply because it causes temporary friction with a dear friend and ally."

Judged as a speech, it was an impressive and effective rhetorical defense of the deal, which is why leading deal opponents have reacted so hysterically. The editors of Bloomberg View — which has spewed one Iraq-War-fearmongering-type article after the next about the deal masquerading as "reporting" — whined that Obama was "denigrating those who disagree with him" and that "it would be far better to win this fight fairly." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pronounced himself "especially insulted" and said Obama's speech went "way over the line of civil discourse."