Obama to announce sweeping changes in Cuba policy today!

[Donerail]

Does Obama need the approval of Congress to end the embargo or can he just sign an executive order?

Congress has to pass a repeal. Republican Party is clearly not ready for that even though there are many who would be happy to junk it and are public about it.

Even if they were, the Senate Subcommittee it'd have to pass through is chaired by Marco Rubio. So that's not happening.

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

[Sopranos Republican]

Wow! I didn't realize that the Vatican played such a crucial and active role in the normalization process.
Pope Francis is such a FF!

Even when his position is correct, there is nothing FF about a religious leader sticking his nose into the world of politics. That is the opposite of freedom.

Thanks again for your scorching hot takes on life!

I don't even know what this is supposed to mean.

So whaa, making the pope shut the f**k up is freedom? It's not as if these are the days of old when the pope's word was law.

[angus]

Wow! I didn't realize that the Vatican played such a crucial and active role in the normalization process.
Pope Francis is such a FF!

Even when his position is correct, there is nothing FF about a religious leader sticking his nose into the world of politics. That is the opposite of freedom.

Thanks again for your scorching hot takes on life!

I don't even know what this is supposed to mean.

I don't either, but if you regard the pope as a "religious leader" rather than a political one, then you must have slept through all your history classes.  The Roman Catholic church is a political organization, and the Bishop of Rome is its political leader.  In fact, the Vatican, although not a member of the United Nations general assembly, was granted Permanent Observerver State status long ago.  It never applied for membership in the UN, but make no mistake:  it is a political entity, and the pope is a political beast.  Even the mild-mannered Argentinian currently holding that title.  Popes have taken political positions for a couple of millenia, and Francis is no exception to that tradition.

Also, I'm sure he'll rest well tonight knowing that you think his position is "correct."

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day...

I'm truly shocked, actually.

[Mr. Morden]

A repeal of the travel ban actually passed the GOP-controlled House back in 2001, among other times:

link

It also passed the GOP-controlled Senate in 2003, but it always dies in committee.  Repeal of both the travel ban and trade embargo have gotten a significant minority of GOP support in years past (many members from districts that would benefit from increased trade with Cuba.  Jeff Flake was a big supporter of lifting the travel ban when he was in the House.

However, now that it's Obama pushing the easing of such restrictions, the Congressional GOP will presumably have a much bigger problem with this.

[H. Ross Peron]

Wow! I didn't realize that the Vatican played such a crucial and active role in the normalization process.
Pope Francis is such a FF!

Even when his position is correct, there is nothing FF about a religious leader sticking his nose into the world of politics. That is the opposite of freedom.

Yes i'm sure this guy should have STFU and gone back to his pulpit:



This fellow had no business in politics either:



Anyways kudos to the President for taking this momentous step forward.

[Vega]

Do we know who Obama is going to be appointing to be Ambassador to Cuba?

[Gass3268]

Do we know who Obama is going to be appointing to be Ambassador to Cuba?

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

[angus]

Do we know who Obama is going to be appointing to be Ambassador to Cuba?

"Wanted:  Cuban-Americans who are not loyal Republicans to apply for ambassador position."

That should narrow it down.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Do we know who Obama is going to be appointing to be Ambassador to Cuba?

"Wanted:  Cuban-Americans who are not loyal Republicans to apply for ambassador position."

That should narrow it down.

In other words, the wealthiest brown campaign donor he hasn't appointed to an ambassadorial position yet.

[King]

Bill Richardson would be a safe first ambassador, since he's negotiated with the Castros before. Jimmy Carter would work too if he was up to it, but I doubt it at his age.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Bill Richardson would be a safe first ambassador, since he's negotiated with the Castros before. Jimmy Carter would work too if he was up to it, but I doubt it at his age.

Isn't Richardson radioactive after the scandal that forced him to withdraw from being designated Secretary of Commerce?

[CJK]

Am I the only one who thinks that it makes sense to give Cuba back to Spain? Obama can even apologize for the Spanish-American War for all I care.

[Lief 🗽]

Am I the only one who thinks that it makes sense to give Cuba back to Spain? Obama can even apologize for the Spanish-American War for all I care.

Presumably most Cubans would vote Podemos, so I support this.

[The Mikado]

Rand Paul continues his pattern of occasionally saying sensible stuff, supports detente with Cuba. The Republican Party could do worse than to listen to him once in a while.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

THANKS OBAMA!!!!

[AkSaber]

Can anyone defend Rubio's backlash against this?

The only people who will are those who are desperately clinging to their hatred, from the Cold War.

[Vega]

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

Crist?

[Bacon King]

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

Crist?

Crist was at the White House on the 12th apparently

[justfollowingtheelections]

Am I the only one who thinks that it makes sense to give Cuba back to Spain? Obama can even apologize for the Spanish-American War for all I care.

This is one of the most arrogant things I have ever read.  If it's meant to be a joke, it's in very bad taste

[Vega]

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

Crist?

Crist was at the White House on the 12th apparently

Eh... I think Carter would be a better pick.

[Landslide Lyndon]

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

Crist?

Crist was at the White House on the 12th apparently

Eh... I think Carter would be a better pick.

Nah, he is too green for such a critical post.

[badgate]

Anyways, word is that the top choice for the first ambassador to Cuba in over 50 years is a former Florida governor who discussed visiting Cuba during his campaign and was seen visiting the White House five days ago.

Crist?

Crist was at the White House on the 12th apparently

Eh... I think Carter would be a better pick.

Nah, he is too green for such a critical post.

Jimmy Carter.

[Peeperkorn]

C'mon, you're doing fine!

[Peeperkorn]

Am I the only one who thinks that it makes sense to give Cuba back to Spain? Obama can even apologize for the Spanish-American War for all I care.

Presumably most Cubans would vote Podemos, so I support this.

I lol'd