The next Republican debate airs on CNN Sept. 16. The Congressional vote on a resolution to reject the Iran deal is scheduled for ”mid-September.”

On air earlier this week, Hugh Hewitt asked why Congressional Republican leaders would even consider having the vote before the debate, instead of after.

Iran deal skeptics are already winning the public opinion battle, but if the ratings are anywhere near 24 million viewers, why not apply a bit of extra pressure? The issue of the Iran deal is certain to come up… after all, Hugh Hewitt will be joining CNN to ask some questions. (Dear candidates: Read The Looming Tower and read up on carrier groups and Ohio-class submarines.)

The Republican candidates are certain to criticize the deal, and might get some of those millions of viewers stirred up enough to call their members of Congress. So why not make sure the vote is scheduled sometime after Sept. 16?

UPDATE: Ah. “Lawmakers have until September 17 to accept or reject the deal.” Might as well hold it off to the last minute, then.