His comments when he announced his decision were not honest -- or he is nowhere near as sharp as people have always said he is. His alternative boils down to something that is beyond unthinkable.
He concedes implicitly that US sanctions, by themselves, would not be sufficient to do anything. His solution is that SECONDARY sanctions on international entities that violate the US UNILATERAL SANCTIONS would have an impact. Does anyone really think that EU and the rest of the world would not strenuously object to the US unilaterally rejecting an international agreement AND then forcing their countries to essentially reject it as well or face US sanctions? We will sanction the UK, EU, China, Japan, etc? Will we then have any allies other than Israel and maybe the Sunni Arabs (except the Sunni terrorists we are fighting)?
This sounds as stupid as the newest attempt by the AIPAC spin off Washington Institute for Near East policy that suggests if the deal is rejected, Obama and his partners would return to negotiations. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/if-the-iran-deal-fails-120247.html#.Vdh8EfZViko In fact, Durbin organized a meeting for Senators with people representing the foreign ministers of our partners and it is clear this is NOT what will happen - no matter how much AIPAC and Israel want it to happen. (Not to mention Israel's objections are not in the margins, but really a rejection of ANY deal.) Gilibrand referenced that meeting as informing her decision.
I suspect that Schumer's decision is not conscience or even common sense, but to retain donors for himself and the Democrats.
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