Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Playinghardball

(11,665 posts)
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 02:52 PM Jun 2014

McCain Left Classified Briefing ‘After Only A Matter Of Minutes’

With security conditions deteriorating quickly in Iraq, Sen. John McCain is in high dudgeon. Despite having been wrong about nearly every national security crisis in recent years, the Arizona Republican is doing what one might expect him to do: he’s blaming President Obama, condemning the White House, and urging everyone to pretend he still has credibility. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which McCain is the ranking member, were given a classified briefing this afternoon from military and intelligence officials, keeping lawmakers apprised of the latest developments in the Iraqi crisis. McCain left the closed-door briefing after only a matter of minutes, telling reporters the security situation in Iraq “is the greatest threat since the Cold War.” [emphasis added]

If it’s the great threat to security in a generation, then maybe McCain should have stuck around for the rest of the classified briefing, instead of bolting and heading for the cameras? Except McCain left “after only a matter of minutes” so he could go complain about the president in front of the cameras. If this sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because just last week, McCain attended another closed-door, classified briefing on the prisoner swap that freed an American POW. McCain “walked out shortly after shouting at an official,” roughly half-way through the briefing. He then – you guessed it – headed for the cameras to complain about the president and the lack of compelling information he’d received in the briefing he left in the middle of.

More here: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mccain-left-classified-briefing-after-only-matter-minutes

http://theobamadiary.com/

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
McCain Left Classified Briefing ‘After Only A Matter Of Minutes’ (Original Post) Playinghardball Jun 2014 OP
When everyone else is in the hearing McCain can get the cameras all to himself.....politics and Fred Sanders Jun 2014 #1
I blame the media for giving him a platform. Why don't they tell him they would like to talk to monmouth3 Jun 2014 #2
+1 eom LittleGirl Jun 2014 #25
exactly. barbtries Jun 2014 #38
The asshole will say he attended, and leave out that he left early, and most of the msm will play lostincalifornia Jun 2014 #3
He looks bad, has a new lump on his left chin, couldn't talk w/o coughing and clearing his throat. lonestarnot Jun 2014 #4
Well to be fair, reflection Jun 2014 #4
Thanks for the migraine MattBaggins Jun 2014 #14
Serious or joke? reflection Jun 2014 #15
I blocked it in my browser but I did almost vomit from the motion. MattBaggins Jun 2014 #17
done, sorry. I liked it. n/t reflection Jun 2014 #18
The grift that keeps on grifting. GeorgeGist Jun 2014 #6
He is a disgrace warrior1 Jun 2014 #7
He'll take the bitterness of 2008 to his grave LordGlenconner Jun 2014 #8
brilliant! LittleGirl Jun 2014 #26
He will come back from the dead as McNosferatu klook Jun 2014 #32
What he went through as a POW madamesilverspurs Jun 2014 #9
He aided and abetted the enemy. TxVietVet Jun 2014 #13
Yes, John McCain is an American Hero ...but dem in texas Jun 2014 #10
I hope he gives up and retires, but........... TxVietVet Jun 2014 #16
I never considered McCain an "American Hero", or anyone who served in Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan 2banon Jun 2014 #20
Thank you. roody Jun 2014 #29
Excuse me radiclib Jun 2014 #36
My understanding is that McCain was a very willing participant, I don't recall that he was drafted. 2banon Jun 2014 #40
It's not about McCain, you seem to disdain "anyone who served" radiclib Jun 2014 #41
Really? You think draftees had a choice? Or those who thought they were serving their country... Hekate Jun 2014 #46
and yet, the media keeps letting him back on. all of them, he makes the rounds Justice Jun 2014 #11
he absolutely disgusts me Skittles Jun 2014 #12
He's getting worse. I think he's finally off his rocker. NBachers Jun 2014 #19
I heard him in the well of the Senate saying that they.. Historic NY Jun 2014 #21
Why is he the go-to guy on EVERY foreign policy issue? Does being a POW qualify LoisB Jun 2014 #22
He's reached the point Mr.Bill Jun 2014 #23
He does not want to know what is going on. He has his marching orders and has no idea what a jwirr Jun 2014 #24
when is his term up? LittleGirl Jun 2014 #27
What a putz. klook Jun 2014 #28
Here's what John McCain is good for tomm2thumbs Jun 2014 #30
McCain is a thoroughbred asshole. Fuddnik Jun 2014 #31
Another entry in his long life as an overgrown child BeyondGeography Jun 2014 #33
he was in a rush ... napkinz Jun 2014 #34
he's 'The Sheriff' ya know pardner.... tomm2thumbs Jun 2014 #35
i was listening to Washington Journal briefly this morning. barbtries Jun 2014 #37
At the bottom of the GOP party is John McCain, at the top is Chuck Hagel. Rex Jun 2014 #39
Greatest threat since the Cold War??? Takket Jun 2014 #42
When John runs for re- election in 2016 Sarah Palin is going to primary challenge him kimbutgar Jun 2014 #43
you sure Sarah Palin wants to move from cold Alaska to warm Arizona alp227 Jun 2014 #45
She already lives in Arizona now kimbutgar Jun 2014 #48
... napkinz Jun 2014 #44
McCain no longer sounds rational any more, which is worrisome because he is in a position to ... Hekate Jun 2014 #47

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
1. When everyone else is in the hearing McCain can get the cameras all to himself.....politics and
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 02:56 PM
Jun 2014

personal exposure trumps policy.

monmouth3

(3,871 posts)
2. I blame the media for giving him a platform. Why don't they tell him they would like to talk to
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 02:56 PM
Jun 2014

others who actually stay for these meetings and would have a more valid opinion.....

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
4. He looks bad, has a new lump on his left chin, couldn't talk w/o coughing and clearing his throat.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 02:59 PM
Jun 2014

He talks like something has invaded his last few brain cells.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
17. I blocked it in my browser but I did almost vomit from the motion.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:03 PM
Jun 2014

That was actually painful to look at.

madamesilverspurs

(15,782 posts)
9. What he went through as a POW
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 03:35 PM
Jun 2014

is beyond my ability to imagine. That said, I don't recall hearing about anything he accomplished (militarily) that gives him a higher degree of credibility on military matters. Anybody got anything?

TxVietVet

(1,905 posts)
13. He aided and abetted the enemy.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:00 PM
Jun 2014

McCain says he had to do it in order to get himself help for his injuries.
What lots of people don't realize is that McCain was a high-profile POW because his father was an admiral. McCain's military career was mediocre at best. I believe he crashed 5 aircraft.

The guy is still brooding over his loss to PBO. He, like most other conservanazis, can't believe that an African-American Democrat beat the conservanazi party TWICE. One has to understand that the conservanazis are anointed by their god to rule this country.

dem in texas

(2,672 posts)
10. Yes, John McCain is an American Hero ...but
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 04:56 PM
Jun 2014

It is sad to see what he is now. I think he never got over losing to Obama. Thank goodness, he didn't win. He is probably on his last term in the senate. Time to put him out to pasture.

TxVietVet

(1,905 posts)
16. I hope he gives up and retires, but...........
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:02 PM
Jun 2014

we have to wait until election time. He's a mental case and he'll hang on as long as he can for the power and monetary connections he gets from the job.

 

2banon

(7,321 posts)
20. I never considered McCain an "American Hero", or anyone who served in Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:07 PM
Jun 2014

I refuse to "thank" military for marching off to war willingly, in places that have absolutely nothing to do with defending the people of the United States.

 

2banon

(7,321 posts)
40. My understanding is that McCain was a very willing participant, I don't recall that he was drafted.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 11:27 PM
Jun 2014

Our engagement in Vietnam war began before the draft was reinstituted. I "grew up" in the Military. I went to military base schools. My father served two tours in VN. Friends and lovers of mine served tours there came back very wounded spirits if not all the wiser about what the fuck it was all about and what the fuck they were doing there and why they shouldn't have, then set about trying to end while it, that evil bloody war, now under Nixon's purview was still raging more than ever.

They would never consider themselves "American Heroes", for "serving our country to defend America". But they made their voices heard on their return as activists against that war and every illegal military invasion since then, putting their lives on the line against police, National Guards with guns aiming at them here on our soil. For that, they are certainly heroic.

radiclib

(1,811 posts)
41. It's not about McCain, you seem to disdain "anyone who served"
Sat Jun 14, 2014, 08:59 AM
Jun 2014

I don't like the "hero" label either, but I would never withhold gratitude for anyone who put their lives on the line, willingly or not, for what either they perceived or was told, wrongly or not, to be the defense of their country. That's all.

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
46. Really? You think draftees had a choice? Or those who thought they were serving their country...
Sun Jun 15, 2014, 05:00 PM
Jun 2014

...had a choice once they were sworn in? Or the "economic draftees" who are so abundantly represented in our military now?

Kindly back off the broad brush condemnation of the enlistees and save it for their masters.

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
21. I heard him in the well of the Senate saying that they..
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:10 PM
Jun 2014

should bring back General Petraus, Rice, and the rest of the neo-con group that had a plan to conquer Iraq.....I was like right bring back the assholes that caused the death of so many people .

LoisB

(7,072 posts)
22. Why is he the go-to guy on EVERY foreign policy issue? Does being a POW qualify
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:12 PM
Jun 2014

him as an expert on every military/foreign policy question?

Mr.Bill

(24,103 posts)
23. He's reached the point
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:13 PM
Jun 2014

where he can only seem credible, even to himself, if he is ignorant of the facts.

Personal plausible deniability.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
24. He does not want to know what is going on. He has his marching orders and has no idea what a
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:20 PM
Jun 2014

traitor he has become. Once a man of respect now a total asshole. He should be asked to resign from the defense committee he is on because he is not doing his job. He cannot be doing anything intelligent if he refuses to be briefed.

LittleGirl

(8,261 posts)
27. when is his term up?
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:27 PM
Jun 2014

Let's see what google says...2016 crap. not soon enough. And I want to be able to vote against this asshole.

klook

(12,134 posts)
28. What a putz.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:32 PM
Jun 2014

But this is typical behavior for the Republican "leadership" in Washington: Skip briefings or leave early, complain you weren't informed or given a chance to have input, throw a couple of bombs in teevee interviews (which they eat up since "controversy boosts ratings&quot , then go dinner with some lobbyists or donors.

barbtries

(28,702 posts)
37. i was listening to Washington Journal briefly this morning.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:52 PM
Jun 2014

based on the calls i heard, i think less and less people are listening or respecting mccain. a fate he richly deserves

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
39. At the bottom of the GOP party is John McCain, at the top is Chuck Hagel.
Fri Jun 13, 2014, 05:54 PM
Jun 2014

IOW, McCain is total garbage and not worth a warm pitcher of spit.

Takket

(21,421 posts)
42. Greatest threat since the Cold War???
Sat Jun 14, 2014, 09:16 AM
Jun 2014

I though that was Putin?!!! That is what you were telling us during the crimea crisis! Which is it john????

So does Isis have nukes???? Cause that us what made the Cold War DL dangerous, right john???

kimbutgar

(20,871 posts)
43. When John runs for re- election in 2016 Sarah Palin is going to primary challenge him
Sat Jun 14, 2014, 11:57 AM
Jun 2014

And win. Then a sane Democratic candidate will become the next Senator from Arizona.

John will get the ultimate payback for his two faced war mongering reputation and on releasing the stupid person on us.

Remember my prediction.

alp227

(31,959 posts)
45. you sure Sarah Palin wants to move from cold Alaska to warm Arizona
Sun Jun 15, 2014, 04:23 PM
Jun 2014

just for that senate seat? And why would Palin throw under the bus the man who put her in the national spotlight?

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
47. McCain no longer sounds rational any more, which is worrisome because he is in a position to ...
Sun Jun 15, 2014, 05:06 PM
Jun 2014

... do harm to the country. OTT, I don't give a damn about him. But it makes me wonder why nobody in his party will perform an intervention on the guy and tell him it's time to retire. He no longer sounds like he's all there.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»McCain Left Classified Br...