'Thats how dictators get started': McCain smacks down Trump for calling media 'the enemy'

[DonViejo]

Source: RawStory


TOM BOGGIONI
18 FEB 2017 AT 15:19 ET

In an interview to be broadcast Sunday morning, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) harshly criticized President Donald Trump for declaring the U.S. media “the enemy” in a tweet Friday night. Speaking with Meet the Press host Chuck Todd, McCain first jokes about the press before turning deadly serious. “I’m curious of your reaction to a tweet that the president sent Friday night,” Todd asked McCain. “‘The fake news media, failing New York Times, NBC News, ABC, CBS, CNN is not my enemy. It is the enemy of the American people.’ You believe the press is the enemy? You believe any group of Americans are the enemy of another group of Americans?”

“I was talking about the period as, you know, of the new world order. A fundamental part of that new world order was a free press. I hate the press. I hate you especially,” McCain said with a smile. “But the fact is we need you. We need a free press. We must have it. It’s vital. If you want to preserve – I’m very serious now – if you want to preserve democracy as we know it, you have to have a free and many times adversarial press. And without it, I am afraid that we would lose so much of our individual liberties over time. That’s how dictators get started.”

“That’s how dictators get started, with tweets like that?” Todd replied.

“No, they get started by suppressing free press,” McCain explained. “In other words, a consolidation of power when you look at history, the first thing that dictators do is shut down the press. And I’m not saying that President Trump is trying to be a dictator. I’m just saying we need to learn the lessons of history.”

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Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2017/02/thats-how-dictators-get-started-mccain-smacks-down-trump-for-calling-media-the-enemy/

[Eyeball_Kid]

1. McCain is ever the coward in calling a spade a spade. Here, he calls a spade a card

in a deck of cards. McCain gives himself cover by refusing to link Trump's behavior to his assertion about the process of taking dictatorial powers, which is as easy as inhaling after exhaling. What McCain began saying is exactly what he denied implying.
So much for The Maverick being a maverick.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. +1

[Native]

2. Whoa!

[SchrodingersCatbox]

4. Such a maverick

Fuck John McCain.

The next thing he does that would be considered standing up to Cheeto Benito will be the first thing he does. Lots of talk, but does nothing that aligns with his supposed "principles".

[Kittycow]

6. Yep, talk is cheap; he never follows through on his Big Words.

[mdbl]

10. My thoughts exactly

I'll say I hate the press to appease the Nazis in my party, but then I'll say we need it. What a schizo.

[Honeycombe8]

15. It's important that he said it. Can you think of a Democrat who has used the "D" word publicly?

Not many politicians have said it out loud, although I'm sure many are thinking it.

One of the Koch Brothers warned Republicans about it at some get together, and now McCain. It seems as if the true conservatives see what's going on and are getting prepared to start doing something about it.

McCain is highly thought of in the Senate, so has clout. And of course the Koch Bros are worshiped by the Republicans in Congress, since they funded quite a few of them.

McCain works with the Dems all the time. It's not unthinkable that he'd support a Dem push to do something.

I am optimistic that Schumer will persist in doing what he can. I didn't think he would; he's not particularly firm, IMO. I've been surprised at how strong he's been lately. But that wears a person down. Don't know how long the Dems can stand it.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

5. We get it, Chuckie. Trump hates you. You know what? SO DO I.

How long are you going to self-righteously piss and moan over Trump's tweet when there is so much else to hold his feet to the fire over? Get over your fucking self and do your damn job!

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. Derrrrrrrrrrr

"“That’s how dictators get started, with tweets like that?” Todd replied."



Was that supposed be some kind of clever joke? Setting the stage as it being silly to even think that. its just tweeting! ha ha ha

He's such a simpleton.

[StevieM]

8. They also get started when politicans demagogue events like Benghazi. (eom)

[mdbl]

11. that's why i never watch chuck tool

his idiotic comments are too nauseating.

[global1]

9. This Is Most Likely McCain's Last Term As Senator.....

I don't think he'd run again in 6 years - so he's embolden to criticize 45Pee and really knows that he won't suffer any consequences from doing so.

I'm thinking that McCain might be ripe to change Parties and maybe Schumer and the Dems need to work on McCain to do just that. He doesn't have to worry about his constituency as he won't be running for office again.

Maybe McCain then can convince a couple of other Repug Senators to make the switch to - so that we have some leverage to contain any damage that 45Pee can do.

I know this is a long shot. But if McCain is the patriot that he says he is - he just might be able to make the switch.

It's worth a try. And yes - I know I'll be criticized for making this suggestion.

[wildeyed]

12. I think he is not running so he feels embolden to speak out.

I do not think he will change parties. He stands up to his party occasionally, but at the end of the day, he is still very conservative. His faction within the GOP is losing right now, but they could easily come back after Trump.

[global1]

13. What If He Calls Himself An Independent?.....

He can perhaps caucus with the Dems like Bernie has - but if we can get him and two more Repugs to do the same - we can contain 45Pee.

[Honeycombe8]

14. Can't wait to watch the interview. Just...wow. He said the "D" word.

I take his warning seriously.