Posted on 07/19/2015 10:50:53 AM PDT by servo1969
Republican elites and the liberal media are piling on GOP front-runner Donald Trump today after his comments yesterday on Sen. John McCain.
Trump attacked John McCain after the Arizona senator called Trump’s conservative supporters a bunch of crazies.
Here is Trump’s full speech from yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJNfbthf9GA
Investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson defended Donald Trump today after the media onslaught over his comments on Saturday.
Donald Trump appears to have gotten under the skin of not only Democrats, but also fellow Republicans and the news media. Has that subjected Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, to unfair and/or inaccurate reporting?
An article in the Washington Post today is headlined, “Trump slams McCain for being ‘captured’ in Vietnam.”
The article’s lead sentence states, “Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump slammed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a decorated Vietnam War veteran, on Saturday by saying McCain was not a war hero because he was captured by the North Vietnamese [emphasis added].”
Is this report accurate?
In fact, Trump’s actual quote is the opposite of what is presented in the Post’s first sentence.
Discussion
1. The Post did not provide context at the outset disclosing that McCain and Trump have been feuding, with McCain characterizing some Trump supporters as “crazies” and Trump stating that McCain graduated last in his class in Annapolis. The charged rhetoric continued at the conservative Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa this weekend.
2. When a panelist characterized McCain as a “war hero,” the Post is accurate in reporting that Trump initially said McCain is “not a war hero.” But then, Trump immediately modified his statement saying– four times– that McCain is a war hero:
“He is a war hero.”
“He’s a war hero because he was captured.”
“He’s a war hero, because he was captured.”
“I believe, perhaps, he’s a war hero. But right now, he’s said some very bad things about a lot of people.”
3. Did Trump say McCain is not a war hero because he was captured? No, not in the exchanges represented in the Post.
4. Is the Post’s characterization an accident? It would appear not, because it is repeated in the Post’s caption of the video clip, which also states: “Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a decorated Vietnam war veteran, was not a war hero because he was captured by the North Vietnamese [emphasis added].”
Further, in the Post’s second sentence, Trump is quoted as stating of McCain, “He’s not a war hero…He’s a war hero because he was captured,” but the article selectively left out the phrase Trump had uttered in between: “He is a war hero.”
Conclusion
Trump actually said the opposite of what the Post lead sentence and video caption claim. The Post might have been able to get away stating that Trump “implied” McCain was not a war hero because McCain was captured, but even that would have been a subjective interpretation since Trump had actually stated the opposite.
It’s true that Trump stated one time that McCain is not a war hero. But Trump stated four times that McCain is a war hero–and that was not accurately characterized in the article.
The Keating Five:
Alan Cranston (D-Calif.)
Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.)
John Glenn (D-Ohio)
John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Donald W. Riegle (D-Mich.)
Seeing 1 (R) in cahoots with 4 (D)s was enough for me. Never trusted our "hero" again.
The Keating Five: Alan Cranston (D-Calif.)
Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.)
John Glenn (D-Ohio)
John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Donald W. Riegle (D-Mich.)
Seeing 1 (R) in cahoots with 4 (D)s was enough for me. Never trusted our "hero" again.
Thanks semimojo, I’d already read it.
But Fox was right there with the rest of them mis-quoting Trump. I bookmarked Sharyl’s site. One representing facts, not spin.
And, Trump made matters worse by saying he preferred heroes who “don’t get captured.” A lot of good men spent many years in the Hanoi Hilton, and many more never made it back home from combat missions over North Vietnam.
Once again, Trump let his mouth overcome his brain. He could have easily praised McCain for his heroism as a POW, then contrasted that to his record as a Senator. McShame is the same guy who let the VA mess ferment for years; along with other members of Congress, he was well aware of what was going on, but did nothing to clean up the mess.
Additionally, McCain (as Chairman and before that, ranking member of the Senate Armed Service Committee) has made no effort to stop sequestration, beyond a few speeches. Meanwhile, our military is being gutted, and if Queeg and his buddies don’t act quickly, the Army will be forced to cut another 30,000 soldiers. Another valid point McCain should be criticized on.
Likewise, Trump should have gone after Johnny Mac on his full-throated support for our “adventures” in Syria and Libya, which helped ISIS gain more territory, power and wealth. McCain’s support for amnesty is also an easy—and accurate—target of opportunity.
Dismissing McCain’s heroism in Hanoi is a slap against other, courageous men who endured hell on earth at the hands of the captors. Many, like Jeremiah Denton, Robbie Risner, Bud Day and Jim Stockdale have passed on. But Trump ought to spend a few minutes with someone like Leo Thorsness before he makes such baseless accusations.
Trump is in serious need of someone who can keep him on the rails. He is resonating with voters because he speaks his mind and refuses to back down. Stick with real issues and if you decide to go after McCain, do it on legitimate grounds. Maintaining the POW attack will only destroy his campaign.
I know. Trump knows how to get the focus on himself. I think he is screwing up the establishment Republican template. They cannot get their message out.
Trump finds another ally.
Yahoo news is trying it’s best to dump on Trump by putting this in the headlines time and time and time again. It isn’t working because the vast majority of the comments are pro Trump, anti McRino and pointing out what was really said.
"I apologize for using an old joke that liberal Democrats used against McCain when he was running for president in 2000. I realize now that Democrats intended the line as a mean spirited attack on veterans, something that I never intended.
I promise never again to act like a Democrat."
Excellent apology.
As usual the Oligarchy lies.
the keating 5. from the AZ republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/story/azdc/2014/04/06/keating-five-scandal-dogs-mccain/7328163/
keiting The five U.S. senators were accused of trying to pressure federal thrift regulators to back off their political benefactor Keating, whose Lincoln Savings & Loan would collapse during the savings-and-loan crisis of the late 1980s at a cost of $3.4 billion to taxpayers. At the time, Keating was an influential and larger-than-life business figure in Arizona and he generously contributed campaign cash to his favorite politicians. and he divorced his crippled wife who took care of the kids while he was in prison.
What the MSM says Trump said and what Trump actually said. BTW, is any of this relevant to anything substantively important to the future of our country? No, except for the fact the MSM continues to lie with edited half-truths.
Remember, this was a staged interview and the two were arguing and talking over each other during some of this.
What the Washington Post reported:
Headline: “Trump slams McCain for being ‘captured’ in Vietnam...”
Lead paragraph: “Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump slammed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a decorated Vietnam War veteran, on Saturday by saying McCain was not a war hero because he was captured by the North Vietnamese [emphasis added].”
What actually happended:
Frank Luntz was leading the Q&A session
Luntz: “He’s a war hero...”
Trump: “He hit me...”
Luntz: “He’s a war hero...”
Trump: “He’s not...a war hero.”
Luntz: “He’s a war hero.”
Trump: “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, okay? I hate to tell you.”
Luntz: inaudible
Trump: “He’s a war hero because he was captured, okay? You can have — and I believe — perhaps he’s a war hero, but right now, he said some very bad things about a lot of people. So, what I said is, John McCain, I disagree with him, that these people aren’t crazy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USJAgIxhU6o
A tempest in a teapot. McCain and Trump are fighting each other. So what else is new. Get to the substantive issues. The Left NEVER wants to get to the substantive issues. Meanwhile, IMO, Trump should not back down becasue he didn’t do anything wrong, but he should know that he’s going to need a full-body asbestos suit to weather the firestorms from the Left (and from the Right, who here, I think are wrong).
How come McCain gets a free pass for his terrible record as a Senator because he was a POW? Time to stop the BS. Don’t back down to the bullies Trump.
That is not the only reason. Those who jumped on Trump for his McCain war hero comments, are DESPERATE to get Trump out of the way. They are mad as hell a non-professional politician like Trump has leap frogged over them.
Here is repost of another good post from CPE:
#1: Re; your McCain comment: Never make a public comment that does not bring you benefit.
#2: Every public comment will be approved by some, disliked by others. Work to increase the % of the former, decrease % of the latter. Never play for a tie, or worse, a loss. You are smart enough to know which is which before you speak.
#3. In today’s electronic age, every comment is public. Just ask Romney, Jesse Jackson (W’re going to cut the nuts....”) or even fumduck Obama (”Please tell Vladimir...”)
#4; Just because it’s true, you don’t have to say it. Just because John McCain is not a great “War Hero” for his time spent in captivity, the truth of the comment did not make the comment beneficial to you.
#5: When you attack personally, you give those attacked the ability to respond personally. If McCain now said, “Does Trump’s combover hide a hole in his head where all the brains flowed out”” no one would blame him. Yesterday such a comment by McCain would have been thought of as petty. Today, it would be a fair shot. Keep your comments about opponents to their policies, actions, demonstrable failures, not the people themselves.... (and why make the small fry like John McCain an opponent?) You’ll have enough real, meaningful enemies. Why add to them?
“Praise a person and their actions.
Criticize only their actions.”
#6; Never forget Rule #1 Every national election is decided by the 8-12 % “middle of the roaders.” Right or wrong, they like McCain. Whether they agree with his policies or not. the 8-12 % think he at least is a “nice guy.” Why take that shot when there was no gain in it for you?
“Why take that shot when there was no gain in it for you?”
Because Trump is Trump and if he stays the course and isn’t cowed by the opposition Trump being Trump could be the difference.
Look, I don’t agree with everything Trump wants to do, but my feeling is we need a guy who’s confrontational and will set these jokers on their heels. Anyway, I like him and I hope he doesn’t worry about what others think of him and does and says what he thinks is right. If at the end of the day he loses because of that, so be it. At least he was willing to say what needed to be said, like in this case with McCain. McCain’s not off limits just because some people call him a war hero. Maybe he was, but that has nothing to do with his political record which stinks.
Trump’s a lot like Obama who also couldn’t care less what others think of him. We need one of those guys.
Trump’s never going to change and I hope he doesn’t. If the 8%-12% don’t like him after it’s all said and done, fine. At least Trump made it interesting. America’s answer is not coming from any political candidate anyway. America’s answer will come from the American People when they decide through their individual states, to take back THEIR country, THEIR freedom, and THEIR Constitution by nullifying unconstitutional federal acts which by definition are acts of tyranny.
This reminds me of Achilles after finally killing Hector, the other Greeks who didn’t dare face him by themselves, now boldly walked up to Hector’s body and boasted of their own prowess while stabbing the lifeless Hector. In this case however, Hector isn’t dead—it’s the Media declaring him dead, but Hector/Trump is full of Life and Fury! Kick Ass Trump! And start with your cowardly Republican counterparts!
“Trump is a businessman who as a rule will not give you rosy promises. It will all be straight forward words from his heart and mind. Frankly I am disappointed by the actions of professional politicians for 25 years.”
Last time we hired outside of career politicians and government employees, we went with an actor, I believe. Used to be a democrat ;)
I dig Sharyl Attkisson ever since she came out against CBS, to be honest I had never heard of her prior, but I find her very appealing, very attractive and find she seems to absolutely be on the right side these days.
the fact that She is a very good looking woman is a bonus
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