http://www.aolnews.com/story/us-russia-nuke-treaty-facing-hurdles-in/962958?cid=10
Why is the treaty facing hurdles you ask? Because a "think tank" thinks it's a bad idea, because it might make the sitting democratic President look good. To hell with the idea that a reduction of nuclear arms is good for the world, the political stature of the Republicans is so much more important, than worldly peace of mind.
The once smooth path for Senate ratification of a major nuclear arms control agreement with Russia is looking a little dicier.
Conservatives opposing New START, a replacement for a Cold War-era treaty, are trying to make it an issue in November's congressional elections
Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the New START agreement in April. It would shrink the limit on strategic warheads to 1,550 for each country, down about a third from the current ceiling of 2,200. It also would make changes in the old treaty's procedures that allow both countries to inspect each other's arsenals and verify compliance.
An affiliate of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has taken the lead in opposing the treaty. The Heritage Action for America, an advocacy group, has started a petition drive and may run political advertisements on the issue during the election season. It also is lobbying in the Senate.
Though arms control is hardly a major issue in a campaign season dominated by economic worries, the divisive political environment makes it difficult for Republicans to buck the conservative mainstream and hand Obama a victory that might be considered his top foreign policy achievement.
