Posted on 11/22/2016 6:43:53 PM PST by Steelfish
Trump, In Interview, Moderates Views but Defies Conventions By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS and MAGGIE HABERMAN NOV. 22
Donald J. Trump on Tuesday with Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr., the publisher of The New York Times, right. Credit Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times President-elect Donald J. Trump tempered on Tuesday some of his most extreme campaign promises, dropping his vow to jail Hillary Clinton, expressing doubt about the value of torturing terrorism suspects and pledging to have an open mind about climate change.
But in a wide-ranging hourlong interview with reporters and editors at The New York Times which was scheduled, canceled and then reinstated after a dispute over the ground rules Mr. Trump was unapologetic about flouting some of the traditional ethical and political conventions that have long shaped the American presidency.
He said he had no legal obligation to establish boundaries between his (snip)
He displayed a jumble of impulses, many of them conflicting. He was magnanimous toward Mrs. Clinton, but boastful about his victory. He was open-minded about some of his positions, uncompromising about others.
The interview demonstrated the volatility in Mr. Trumps positions.
He said he had no interest in pressing for Mrs. Clintons prosecution over her use of a private email server or for financial acts committed by the Clinton Foundation. (snip)
On the issue of torture, Mr. Trump suggested he had changed his mind about the value of waterboarding after talking with James N. Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, who headed the United States Central Command.
He said, Ive never found it to be useful, Mr. Trump said. He added that Mr. Mattis found more value in building trust and rewarding cooperation with terrorism suspects: Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers, and Ill do better.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
That p*ssed me off. I am resolute.
I would’ve told the NYT to shove it.
Why on earth did Trump give a failing rag an interview?
“On the issue of torture, Mr. Trump suggested he had changed his mind about the value of waterboarding after talking with James N. Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general”
I actually don’t believe this. Waterboarding works if they have something to tell. If they don’t then it doesn’t. I don’t believe that Mattis thinks that waterboarding doesn’t work.
Well if he backs out then I will not have his back.
I said that to JimRob.
Let’s not defend him when he goes wobbly.
I did not vote for THAT Trump.
Growing up in New York, he seems to still think the NY Times is the “paper of record” and has power. He needs to leave it behind and stick with the “new media” strategy. They didn’t deserve a special meeting instead of being in the room with the 100 other people yesterday.
Expect some wobbliness. Trump has held many positions over the years. He isn’t an ideologue. Take comfort in most of his current or hinted cabinet picks. At least (most of) the people around him will be solid.
Trump’s plan for deportation is NOT to deport all illegals as we once said on the campaign trail, but only those with criminal records. Let’s see how he deals with mayors who defy him on sanctuary cities. If he caves in, then I’ll have a problem wit him.
I will not support him st ALL if he dumps the biggest part of his platform. Torture is no biggie, I’ll trust the General.
“Why on earth did Trump give a failing rag an interview?”
I thought he would speak directly to the people. The media will always cut, splice and take words out of context!
I keep getting this nagging feeling that we’ve been had. I know the Clintons went to his wedding. I know that Ivanka and Chelsea are best friends. Did they work together and con us? There are things that bother me. And calling the Clintons “good people” is one thing I can’t stomach. Can anyone explain it where it makes sense other than “That’s just politics.”?
Waterboarding has saved hundreds of innocent lives. Very probably thousands.
If the general thinks that waterboarding is ‘bad’ or ineffective then he is just another naïve, empty suit. In my experience, most generals are.
I have to assume that Trump listens to more than one set of council. He needs to review the material collected by the Agency through hard interrogation and then decide for himself if the benefit outweighs the cost.
As for global warming, Trump will tear up and maybe renegotiate deals where we have to hobble our economy for a phantom threat while China and the rest do essentially nothing. I'm sure Trump recognizes that fossil fuels are required for a strong economy and that's the only way to make progress in technology that leaves fossil fuels in the dust.
According to the article, Trump has also tempered his view on climate change.
So this Marine General, who has been in combat, and is by all accounts loved by his fellow Marines, is “an empty suit.” Please.... let us know your accomplishments so we can compare them.
Let me guess. You honestly believed everything Donald Trump said on the campaign trail? HA. Like they’re saying... his detractors took him literally but not seriously, and his supporters took him seriously but not literally. Apparently you are one of the few who took him seriously AND literally.
Ultimately I hope they get indictments on the Clinton Foundation and force it's liquidation and closure. That will end the Clinton's and especially Bill Clinton's legacy for sure. Both are in bad health and probably will be dead soon enough.
It will be up to Sessions to appoint a special prosecutor (Rudy) leaving Donald’s hands clean.
Well it is basically correct to say man has an impact. Judith Curry and many other prominent scientists point out that the impact is small.
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