McCain mocks Cruz over guns on bases claim

The Hill ^ | 04/20/15 06:55 PM EDT | Martin Matishak

[SoConPubbie]

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) is mocking Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for claiming he is “pressing” for hearings on allowing U.S. troops to carry private firearms on military installations.

“You know, I was fascinated to hear that because I haven’t heard a thing about it from him. Nor has my staff heard from his staff. Where did that come from? I have not a clue,” McCain told reporters on Monday. “I’d be glad to discuss the issue and see if we need a hearing, but it came as a complete surprise to me that he had been pressing me."

“Maybe it was through some medium that I’m not familiar with. Maybe bouncing it off the ozone layer, for all I know,” McCain joked. “There’s a lot of holes in the ozone layer, so maybe it wasn’t the ozone layer that he bounced it off of. Maybe it was through hand telegraph, maybe sign language, who knows?”

Cruz, a member of the Armed Services panel and a 2016 presidential candidate, made the comment on Sunday while speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, according to Politico.

“I am very concerned about that policy,” Cruz said. “I think it’s very important to have a public discussion about why we’re denying our soldiers the ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

In recent years, GOP lawmakers, including fellow Texan Rep. Louie Gohmert, have pushed for the Defense Department to ease its ban on private firearms, citing mass shootings, such as the two that have occurred at Fort Hood. They contend such tragedies could have been avoided had soldiers been allowed to be armed.

Last week Gohmert urged the House Armed Services Committee to include a provision in its version of the annual defense policy bill to lift the ban.

A laughing McCain, who earlier on Monday chided Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), another Republican presidential contender, over his understanding of foreign policy, said reporters should follow up with Cruz on how he sought hearings on the controversial issue.

“Ask him how he communicated with me because I’d be very interested. Who knows what I’m missing?” he said.

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

Ted Cruz Ping!

If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.

Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

CRUZ or LOSE!

CRUZ or LOSE!

[Jet Jaguar]

Active Duty ping.

[HarleyLady27]

Shut up McPain......you need to follow dingy hairy out the back door!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TurboZamboni]

McStain needs to ride his Depends off into the sunset.

[TexasFreeper2009]

Seriously McLame either go away or switch parties I am so freaking tired of your sad petty crippled old ass.

[pallis]

The only thing worse than McCain talking is McCain trying to be cute. He’s going to pee his Depends, if he keeps it up.

[onyx]

McCain is supporting Linda Graham.

SENATOR TED CRUZ dwarfs Linda.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Is Juan trying to help Ted get the nomination? LOL

[aposiopetic]

"Who knows what I’m missing?” he said.

Not going to go there.

[Sasparilla]

I still see soldiers in uniform going into stores here while going home from base. They should be able to be armed like civilians can be with the threats they face.

[Diogenesis]

Traitor Sen. McCain, slaver and destroyer of women
through ISIS speaks. And lies. And schemes.

[cripplecreek]

We should trust our military with their weapons on and off base.

It wouldn’t concern me a bit to see our troops walking around armed. It might be a great deterrent to crime.

[PROCON]

Well Juan, who more qualified to be allowed to carry their own firearm on base or post than members of the U.S. Military?

They undergo intense weapons training and are very aware of safe weapons handling.

In fact, Military members under 21 should also be allowed to carry.

I guess too many years away from your "stellar" Naval Service has clouded your feeble mind.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

you need to follow dingy hairy out the back door!

Maybe One-eyed Harry can introduce him to his "Red-neck friend".

[LostInBayport]

McCain is supporting Linda Graham.

I heard a clip on a radio show today where Linda Grahamnesty was saying it was 91% certain she/he was running for president.

The word "delusional" just doesn't seem strong enough.

[BlueNgold]

Sen. Cruz said it’s an important discussion, that’s very different from ‘Pressing’ for hearings.

Seems as though the press asked Sen. McCain a question not wholly based on the words Sen. Cruz actually said.

Am I missing something?

Side note, I don’t think testing Sen. Cruz on his resolve about issues that concern him is a winning move for anyone. He strikes me as a man who will call a bluff without blinking.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

(McCain) I guess too many years away from your "stellar" Naval Service has clouded your feeble mind.

They probably never trusted him with a gun...a loaded one at least.

[onyx]

Yes...LOL.
He said 91% because the Huckster, (IIR) said 90%.

[Nifster]

McShamey is a class one dirt bag.

I stand with Ted