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McCain Says Trump's Actions Have Unsettled Allies and Americans

disneydude said:
"Silly Witch Hunts".....you are funny j-mac. Sorry....but that Trump talking point isn't going to stick. There is ample evidence to warrant an investigation and the investigation is likely to produce even more damaging information. Trumps coining of the phrase "Silly Witch Hunt" is just like his "Fake news" and "Alternate Facts". Trump's problems by and large are a result of his own making.
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Really, please give me one bit of actual evidence that Trump "colluded" with Russian's to throw the election....I don't think you can....
 
j-mac said:
Really, please give me one bit of actual evidence that Trump "colluded" with Russian's to throw the election....I don't think you can....
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I didn't say that there was evidence of collusion at this point. If you go back and read carefully....I said that there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation. An investigation would be to look for evidence that would either warrant charges or dispel the concerns. But lets not pretend that there isn't anything out there to raise concerns. Even the most hardcore Trumpettes can't make that argument with a straight face.
 
j-mac said:
Really, please give me one bit of actual evidence that Trump "colluded" with Russian's to throw the election....I don't think you can....
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...and by the way.....the investigation isn't simply to look for evidence of collusion. Its very possible that Trump and his staff engaged in wrongdoing that didn't amount to collusion. Trump, himself, could have engaged in obstruction of justice without being involved in any type of collusion. Remember....the Ken Starr investigation started with Whitewater and ended with a blowjob. So you never know what an investigation is going to uncover.
 
disneydude said:
I didn't say that there was evidence of collusion at this point. If you go back and read carefully....I said that there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation. An investigation would be to look for evidence that would either warrant charges or dispel the concerns. But lets not pretend that there isn't anything out there to raise concerns. Even the most hardcore Trumpettes can't make that argument with a straight face.

...and by the way.....the investigation isn't simply to look for evidence of collusion. Its very possible that Trump and his staff engaged in wrongdoing that didn't amount to collusion. Trump, himself, could have engaged in obstruction of justice without being involved in any type of collusion. Remember....the Ken Starr investigation started with Whitewater and ended with a blowjob. So you never know what an investigation is going to uncover.
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"Investigating Clinton & Obama’s Benghazi Debacle Was a “Witch Hunt”
“There are some who describe that Benghazi hearing that she went through, Ted, some describe that as a ‘witch hunt’ and this could not be the first time that the other party has gone after the Clintons and just dug and dug and I think of Whitewater in the first term. Now, it’s Benghazi and I’m not suggesting the Clintons are perfect. I’m asking what is it about them that attracts these witch hunts or, dare I say, these vast right-wing conspiracies?”
— Host Tavis Smiley to actor/friend of the Clintons Ted Danson on his eponymous PBS show, November 20, 2015.

“We have the committee, the Benghazi committee this week. Well, she’s going to murder them because it has been a witch hunt. It has been partisan. It’s a great opportunity for her.”
— Veteran journalist Carl Bernstein on CNN’s Reliable Sources, October 18, 2015.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again: There has been a witch hunt against every prominent person of color that has served alongside the President. And this is part of it.”
— MSNBC’s Richard Wolffe on Now with Alex Wagner, November 27, 2012, talking about criticism of Susan Rice for her Benghazi lies.


Investigating Obama’s IRS Targeting of Conservatives Was a “Witch Hunt”
“You would think they [Republicans] may have learned something from their experience in the Clinton years where — you know what? — going after scandals and, you know, in that case, it was all the way to impeachment, really did nothing to harm President Clinton’s numbers, in fact. They just kept getting higher and higher, and the economy was part of that, but also this witch hunt was another part of it....Republicans have to get onto a position that voters like and stop personalizing it, because otherwise they’re going to face a disaster in 2016, and they’ll lose their third in a row.”
— MSNBC.com executive editor Richard Wolffe talking about the investigation into the IRS targeting of conservative groups, MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, June 6, 2013.


Investigating Radical Islam Was a “Witch Hunt”
“The hearing [on radical Islam] hasn’t even started yet and already you are being compared to Joe McCarthy, hell bent on a witch hunt....There are a lot of Muslim-Americans who are concerned about it. They’re gonna feel alienated because of it. They are fearful of it. They’re fearful of Islamophobia, more Islamophobia, in this country. How do you avoid that? Or do you care if that’s a byproduct?”
— Co-host Meredith Vieira to Rep. Peter King (R-NY) on NBC’s Today, March 9, 2011.

Continued....
 
Investigating Bill Clinton’s Perjury and Obstruction Was a “Witch Hunt”
“I think that in history, I mean you know were talking 50 years from now, will be seen as his shining moment, that he stood up to that witch hunt. I don’t see that as a big badge of dishonor for Clinton....I’m glad he lied. He lied about something that deserves a lie. When he disputed the word ‘is’, I was like, ‘you go girl!’ You tell them that. That was like the shining moment of his presidency.”
— Bill Maher, host of ABC’s Politically Incorrect, October 13, 2000 Chris Rock Show on HBO.


“This guy [Ken Starr] is leaving as a pious prosecutor, an inept prosecutor, someone who engaged in partisan witch hunts for whatever the reasons.”
— Wall Street Journal Executive Washington Editor Al Hunt on CNN’s Capital Gang, July 3, 1999.


“Speaker Wright, during McCarthy’s sort of communist witch hunt, the really turning point was when one person being grilled by the Senator said ‘ do you have no decency.’ Do you see anybody with the credibility in Washington right now to ask that same question?”
— Matt Lauer talking about Clinton’s impeachment with former Democratic House Speaker Jim Wright, who resigned over ethical problems, December 21, 1998 Today.


“History will eventually record that Washington’s excruciating investigative culture of perjury traps and sexual witch hunts was a greater threat to the republic than Clinton’s illicit sex and lying, no matter how sordid and stupid they were.”
— Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter, October 5, 1998 issue.


“Couldn’t this be just a witch hunt, couldn’t the Democrats and President Clinton’s people who’ve been defending him all these months be right, that even though he screwed up there’s some political motivation there. Couldn’t that be right?”
— Good Morning America co-host Lisa McRee to humorist P.J. O’Rourke, September 10, 1998.


“Lots of people in Washington are expecting the White House to go on the offensive with regard to Kenneth Starr and his investigation, and people are expecting detailed questions to leak out of that grand jury testimony, questions that make Kenneth Starr and his attorneys look like zealots who are on some sort of witch hunt. Do you think that might happen?”
— Co-host Lisa McRee to Washington Post media reporter Howard Kurtz, on the August 19, 1998 Good Morning America.


“We don’t live in Salem and I think the country is sick of the witch hunt....The notion that Ken Starr would indict this woman for a possible consensual relationship, if it existed, is a public relations disaster and I think a legal disaster also in the terms of how this country operates and what we stand for.”
— Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift on the McLaughlin Group, April 4, 1998.




Investigating Chinese Espionage and DNC Donations Was a “Witch Hunt”
“I’m suspicious of the Republicans here. I think they’re trying to make some political hay. It feels like ‘Who lost China?’ and a lot of witch hunts of the past where they see a chance to make some political capital by us not being tough enough. I don’t think that’s true.”
— Evan Thomas, Newsweek’s Assistant Managing Editor, March 13, 1999 Inside Washington.




All of the Clinton Investigations Were “Witch Hunts”
“White House officials are under no illusions and still expect Republicans to vigorously pursue investigations on other fronts. But they’re also encouraged that DAmatos announcement [of no more hearings] may signal an end to any high profile political witch hunts.”
— Jim Miklaszewski, November 7, 1996 NBC Nightly News, talking about how Clinton’s re-election would affect the investigations.


“Have you any doubt that Kenneth Starr and his deputies are pursuing an agenda that is purely political?...Given that you think this is all just a Republican witch hunt, do you expect the pressure to ease somewhat after the election?
— Some of Bryant Gumbel’s questions to former Clinton business partner and convicted felon Susan McDougal and her attorney, September 17, 1996 Today."


Exposing the Liberal Media?s ?Witch Hunt? Hypocrisy


Yeah, it's only a 'witch hunt' when democrats are being investigated....lol
 
j-mac said:
McCain's expiration date has passed....As a senior Senator, and supposed statesman, McCain should understand that going abroad and undermining this countries leadership is NOT his role, and is seen by many in America as treasonous....We all get it, he is allied with the bitter 'anti-Trump' gang, but this, and he are getting out of hand....If he finds himself more aligned with democrats these days, maybe he should show himself the door, and join them, so he won't have to worry so much about pleasing them to be invited to their parties....
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He's sold his soul to the defense industry. Anything that reduces arms sales he hates, so trying to improve relations with Russia he will hate. If Trump was uber anti-Russia then McCain would have no issues with him. He's a warmongering piece of human scum.
 
j-mac said:
"Investigating Clinton & Obama’s Benghazi Debacle Was a “Witch Hunt”
“There are some who describe that Benghazi hearing that she went through, Ted, some describe that as a ‘witch hunt’ and this could not be the first time that the other party has gone after the Clintons and just dug and dug and I think of Whitewater in the first term. Now, it’s Benghazi and I’m not suggesting the Clintons are perfect. I’m asking what is it about them that attracts these witch hunts or, dare I say, these vast right-wing conspiracies?”
— Host Tavis Smiley to actor/friend of the Clintons Ted Danson on his eponymous PBS show, November 20, 2015.

“We have the committee, the Benghazi committee this week. Well, she’s going to murder them because it has been a witch hunt. It has been partisan. It’s a great opportunity for her.”
— Veteran journalist Carl Bernstein on CNN’s Reliable Sources, October 18, 2015.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again: There has been a witch hunt against every prominent person of color that has served alongside the President. And this is part of it.”
— MSNBC’s Richard Wolffe on Now with Alex Wagner, November 27, 2012, talking about criticism of Susan Rice for her Benghazi lies.


Investigating Obama’s IRS Targeting of Conservatives Was a “Witch Hunt”
“You would think they [Republicans] may have learned something from their experience in the Clinton years where — you know what? — going after scandals and, you know, in that case, it was all the way to impeachment, really did nothing to harm President Clinton’s numbers, in fact. They just kept getting higher and higher, and the economy was part of that, but also this witch hunt was another part of it....Republicans have to get onto a position that voters like and stop personalizing it, because otherwise they’re going to face a disaster in 2016, and they’ll lose their third in a row.”
— MSNBC.com executive editor Richard Wolffe talking about the investigation into the IRS targeting of conservative groups, MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, June 6, 2013.


Investigating Radical Islam Was a “Witch Hunt”
“The hearing [on radical Islam] hasn’t even started yet and already you are being compared to Joe McCarthy, hell bent on a witch hunt....There are a lot of Muslim-Americans who are concerned about it. They’re gonna feel alienated because of it. They are fearful of it. They’re fearful of Islamophobia, more Islamophobia, in this country. How do you avoid that? Or do you care if that’s a byproduct?”
— Co-host Meredith Vieira to Rep. Peter King (R-NY) on NBC’s Today, March 9, 2011.

Continued....
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The initial Benghazi hearings were certainly justified. There certainly was enough there to raise questions/concerns. However, once the hearings found no wrong-doing...the continual pounding of the Benghazi mantra did get to be a bit hysterical and akin to a witch hunt. Let see how these hearings turn out. If it turns out that they investigate and say that there is nothing there....and if the Dems continue to pound the mantra.....then your post here would have merit.
 
j-mac said:
Bill Clinton was a success in his second term because he realized that in order to get some good things done for the country he had to work with Republican's that had just come out with the widely popular 'contract with America' through Newt Gingrich, and Clinton reached out to work with them so that he could attach his name to some very popular legislation....

I can agree with you that in order for Trump to be successful he will at some point have to do much the same thing, however, as long as democrats continue with these silly witch hunts, and refuse to get past the point that they lost last November, then he will have to continue to hunker down....He'd be a fool not to.
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Clinton however was permanent political class. And though that Contract with America did produce some good things, it really didn't change anything all that much. By the end of Clinton's second term we were already sliding back into recession. The economic boom the Clinton tax cuts triggered had slowed somewhat. However, the recession would have been mild and short lived had there not been 9/11 which greatly exacerbated it.

I'm not taking away from Clinton who did have a reasonably successful presidency, but again, there wasn't all that much change in the status quo. Nor was there during the Bush administration. By the time Bush was sworn in, a lot of the GOP and Democratic reformers had term limited themselves out and the hard core permanent political class was back in power. It is made up of mostly lawyers/professional politicians whose only real goal is to increase their own power, prestige, influence, and personal fortunes. They don't really care if they don't accomplish anything and they figure they'll have theirs and be long gone before the house of cards they have built collapses. And then somebody else will get the blame for it. Not them.

President Trump is not part of the permanent political class. He isn't going to say it the way he is 'supposed to'. He isn't going to conduct himself the way he is 'supposed to'. And he isn't going to do things the way they have always been done.

And that is why he is getting push back from both Democrats and Republicans. They have no intention of actually working with him to accomplish something that will shake up the status quo.

The only way that will change is if those of us who like what Trump wants to do for America get behind him and put the fear of bejeebus into our elected representatives. Are there enough of us who will do that? I hope so.
 
j-mac said:
Really, please give me one bit of actual evidence that Trump "colluded" with Russian's to throw the election....I don't think you can....
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Not the point. We have an investigation because we have probable cause. Stat with the fact we know that Russia hacked into the DNC servers and we pretty much know they disseminated that proprietary information via Wikileaks just prior to the election. We do not know the impact that had on the outcome of the election. We also do not know if Trump or his minions were knowingly or unknowingly involved. We have a crime; we have suspects; and we just don't understand all of the particulars. That is why we have an investigation.

We also know that Trump has had financial dealings with Putin's minions in the past. We do not know to what extent Trump may have current dealings / be indebted to those Russian interests. If he has current financial entanglements with the Russians, he could be violation of the emoluments clause. Perhaps we would know this had Trump been forthcoming and either released his tax returns or shed his business assets prior to taking office, but he did not. Now he suffers the consequence of not being forthcoming.

Since the smoke is thick and potential explanations are grave threats to America, the investigations are not, in rational way of thinking, witch hunts, but rather would be gross negligence on the part of our government if they were not pursued to understanding.
 
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j-mac said:
McCain's expiration date has passed....As a senior Senator, and supposed statesman, McCain should understand that going abroad and undermining this countries leadership is NOT his role, and is seen by many in America as treasonous....We all get it, he is allied with the bitter 'anti-Trump' gang, but this, and he are getting out of hand....If he finds himself more aligned with democrats these days, maybe he should show himself the door, and join them, so he won't have to worry so much about pleasing them to be invited to their parties....
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McCain needs his diaper changed.
 
Verax said:
Who is treasonous?!? The former P.O.W. straight shooter or the draft dodging prick that's balls deep with the Russians?
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But then Trump did not dodge the draft. The only US president with a history of draft dodging is Bill Clinton.
 
j-mac said:
McCain's expiration date has passed....As a senior Senator, and supposed statesman, McCain should understand that going abroad and undermining this countries leadership is NOT his role, and is seen by many in America as treasonous....We all get it, he is allied with the bitter 'anti-Trump' gang, but this, and he are getting out of hand....If he finds himself more aligned with democrats these days, maybe he should show himself the door, and join them, so he won't have to worry so much about pleasing them to be invited to their parties....
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McCain's last great public service may very well be his leadership position among the GOP in holding President Trump accountable- and it may be the greatest public service of our generation.

Depends on whether we remain a free country or if Putin writes our history books.
 
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AlbqOwl said:
Clinton however was permanent political class. And though that Contract with America did produce some good things, it really didn't change anything all that much. By the end of Clinton's second term we were already sliding back into recession. The economic boom the Clinton tax cuts triggered had slowed somewhat. However, the recession would have been mild and short lived had there not been 9/11 which greatly exacerbated it.

I'm not taking away from Clinton who did have a reasonably successful presidency, but again, there wasn't all that much change in the status quo. Nor was there during the Bush administration. By the time Bush was sworn in, a lot of the GOP and Democratic reformers had term limited themselves out and the hard core permanent political class was back in power. It is made up of mostly lawyers/professional politicians whose only real goal is to increase their own power, prestige, influence, and personal fortunes. They don't really care if they don't accomplish anything and they figure they'll have theirs and be long gone before the house of cards they have built collapses. And then somebody else will get the blame for it. Not them.

President Trump is not part of the permanent political class. He isn't going to say it the way he is 'supposed to'. He isn't going to conduct himself the way he is 'supposed to'. And he isn't going to do things the way they have always been done.

And that is why he is getting push back from both Democrats and Republicans. They have no intention of actually working with him to accomplish something that will shake up the status quo.

The only way that will change is if those of us who like what Trump wants to do for America get behind him and put the fear of bejeebus into our elected representatives. Are there enough of us who will do that? I hope so.
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I couldn't agree more with every word you wrote here....Thanks.
 
upsideguy said:
Not the point....
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I am well aware of the laundry list of justification talking points laid out over and over by Mika, Joe, and the cast of characters at CNN....The real thing that I kept of your quote here was 'Not the point'...Because it's really not the point of all of this....This is diversion, distraction, and the ultimate hope that all of this knocks Trump off his agenda, so that democrats can make plenty of ads, and hopefully in the process raise enough hell to make people think something was wrong, when it was really all just BS from the start....

In the end this is all going to be not only a huge waste of time, but a huge gamble by democrats...See, if you don't get something to bust them on, then the voters will punish you demo's for decades....I for one am looking forward to the moment when this has nowhere left to look at, and there is nothing left to accept but demo's realizing that they lost....That will be the moment of true victory.
 
Absentglare said:
McCain's last great public service may very well be his leadership position among the GOP in holding President Trump accountable- and it may be the greatest public service of our generation.

Depends on whether we remain a free country or if Putin writes our history books.
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What would be the difference...One communist is as good as the next....;)
 
Absentglare said:
McCain's last great public service may very well be his leadership position among the GOP in holding President Trump accountable- and it may be the greatest public service of our generation.

Depends on whether we remain a free country or if Putin writes our history books.
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I honor McCain for his military service and the torture he went through as a P.O.W. However as a politician he is an ass.
 
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