Showing posts with label john mccain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label john mccain. Show all posts

Thursday, December 27, 2018

No Monument To Honor U.S. Senator McCain In Washington

A rainy, gray sky tops the U.S. Capitol dome on the first day of the new session of Congress in Washington, U.S. January 3, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Washington Times: Push to rename Senate office building for McCain fizzles: 'We are left with a monument to bigotry'

Richard Russell survived another scare.

The segregationist Democrat’s name continues to adorn the Senate’s oldest office building, despite promises by top senators that this would be the year they finally erased it and replaced it with the name of their newly departed colleague Sen. John McCain.

“Nothing will overcome the loss of Senator McCain, but so that generations remember him I will be introducing a resolution to rename the Russell building after him,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said on Twitter just after McCain’s office announced his death.

Four months later, the resolution was never introduced.

Mr. Schumer’s spokesman clammed up when asked what happened.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I just love how Washington works. Everyone always wants something, and the currency that everyone uses is the ability to promise to give what other people want. Senator McCain is now gone, he and his family cannot give anything. And what is worse .... with the exception of (maybe) Senator Flake, most are happy that he is no longer there. There will be no monument for Senator McCain in Washington, and he will be forgotten very soon (if not already).

Saturday, September 1, 2018

President Trump Is Rebuked At U.S. Senator McCain's Funeral



Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker: John McCain’s Funeral Was the Biggest Resistance Meeting Yet

Two ex-Presidents and one eloquent daughter teamed up to rebuke the pointedly uninvited Donald Trump.

Donald Trump’s name was never mentioned. It didn’t have to be. The funeral service for John Sidney McCain III, at the Washington National Cathedral, on this swampy Saturday morning, was all about a rebuke to the pointedly uninvited current President of the United States, which was exactly how McCain had planned it.

Of course, there were fulsome tributes to Senator McCain’s bravery and courage and public service, stark reminders of the torture he endured as a prisoner of war, and of the policies he fought for (and against) in his many decades as a Republican politician from Arizona. But McCain knew that would not be the headline from the grand service, whose many details he personally oversaw. This was to be no mere laying to rest of a Washington wise man, nor just another funeral of an elder statesman whose passing would be marked by flowery words about the end of an era. It was a meeting of the Resistance, under vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows.

Read more ....

Update: McCain tributes echo with criticism of Trump (AP)

WNU Editor: Using funerals and eulogies to deliver a political message is not acceptable in my book. In every funeral that I have attended, it is God’s love that fills the room, not hate and animus for a person who is not even in attendance. But .... this is what U.S. Senator McCain and his family wanted, and those among America's elite who hate President Trump were more than happy to participate.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Report: NATO May Name Its New Brussels Headquarters After U.S. Senator John McCain

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks with Senator John McCain on Capitol Hill in 2016. NATO photo

CNBC: NATO is considering naming its headquarters after Sen. John McCain

* NATO, the world's most powerful military alliance, is considering naming its new billion-dollar headquarters in honor of the late Sen. John McCain.
* McCain made frequent visits to NATO member countries throughout his political career and frequently criticized Russia's maligned activities to undermine the alliance. He also voiced disappointment with President Donald Trump's handling of the U.S. relationship with NATO.
* He died Saturday after a year-long fight with brain cancer. He was 81.

NATO, the world's most powerful military alliance, is considering naming its new, billion-dollar headquarters in Brussels in honor of the late Sen. John McCain.

The proposal from British Parliament member Tom Tugendhat would be "considered carefully," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said in a statement. "The Secretary-General has tremendous respect for Senator John McCain," she added.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This proposal came from a friend of Sen. McCain in the British parliament, not from NATO itself. My prediction is that they will not name the new NATO HQ after John McCain, especially in view of President Trump's bitter and hostile relationship with the former Senator.

More News On Reports That NATO May Name Its New Brussels Headquarters After U.S. Senator John McCain

NATO considering naming its HQ building in honor of McCain -- CNN
NATO considers naming headquarters after McCain -- The Hill
NATO considers naming new headquarters after John McCain -- NYPost
NATO mulls naming Brussels HQ after John McCain who “embodied its values” -- RT

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

John McCain's 2008 Running Mate Sarah Palin Told To Not Show-Up At His Funeral


People: John McCain's 2008 Running Mate Sarah Palin Is Not Invited to His Funeral: 'It's Sad'

President Donald Trump and former John McCain presidential running mate Sarah Palin are not invited to memorial services for the iconic Arizona senator, multiple sources tell PEOPLE.

“Two names you won’t see on the guest list: Trump and Palin,” says a Capitol Hill source with knowledge of funeral plans for McCain, who died of brain cancer Saturday at age 81.

“Invitations were not extended” to the two political figures, confirms Carla Eudy, a fundraiser who has worked with and been friends with the McCain family for decades.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Over the years I have never read or heard anything negative from former Governor Sarah Palin on Senator McCain. Never. It is unfortunate that the McCain family have made this decision.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Remembering John McCain



WNU Editor: I learned about John McCain's death at a sports bar/restaurant in Kingston, Ontario last night. And it was fitting that I learned about it with my two visiting cousins from Russia (ex-military .... albeit Soviet) and two followers of WNU who are ex-U.S. military who wanted to meet me on our short road-trip. Senator McCain's military career was (and is) incredible, and his passing away last night opened up my cousins to talk about their war experiences (in Afghanistan), as well as the Iraq experiences of my American friends. That is the legacy of the man. Not his political career and two failed Presidential bids .... which will be just footnotes in history. What he will be remembered for is his military career .... and more specifically his strength as a human being to survive five and a half years as a POW in a North Vietnamese prison camp. But for now .... in the coming days the politicians and the media will present a political narrative that is completely opposite to how they treated him when he was a political opponent. And when they are finished, they will forget about John McCain forever. But one thing that I learned last night is that soldiers will not forget who and what John McCain was .... for them John McCain will be remembered forever.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Sen. John McCain Will Reject Gina Haspel's Nomination To Become CIA Director


Washington Examiner: John McCain calls on Senate to reject CIA nominee Gina Haspel

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on the Senate to reject Gina Haspel's nomination to become CIA director Wednesday, charging that she was unable to address concerns with her role in the use of enhanced interrogation techniques during the Bush administration.

"Today, Gina Haspel testified before the Senate and to the country about her qualifications to lead the CIA. This occasion provided an opportunity to provide details about her experience in the CIA, explain her involvement in the so-called enhanced interrogation program during the Bush Administration, and account for the mistakes the country made in torturing detainees held in U.S. custody after the September 11th attacks," McCain said in a statement, referring to Haspel's confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Unfortunately, the testimony the American people heard from Ms. Haspel today failed to address these concerns."

Read more ....

Update: McCain's rejection of Haspel weighing on senators (CNN)

WNU Editor: CIA nominee Gina Haspel's former boss/superior was John Brennan .... and when his nomination for CIA Director was sent to the US Senate for a vote .... Senator John McCain approved it. Now .... with a similar CV .... Senator John McCain is saying no to President Trump's nominee. This is all personal between Senator McCain and President Trump.

Monday, May 7, 2018

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch: Does Not Expect Senator McCain To Return To The Senate

File photo of ailing US Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona who has been diagnosed with brain cancer

Politico: Hatch to McCain: Invite Trump to your funeral

Sen. John McCain should reconsider his wish that President Donald Trump not attend McCain's funeral, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, the most senior GOP senator.

McCain prefers instead that Vice President Mike Pence attend his funeral rather than Trump, who has mocked McCain for being tortured and attacked him for voting against Obamacare repeal. But Hatch said he thought keeping the president from his funeral was too much: "I think it's ridiculous."

"Well, he's the president of the United States and he's a very good man. But it's up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral," said the Utah senator. Asked whether McCain should change his mind about Trump, Hatch said: "I would."

Hatch said he does not expect McCain, who is battling brain cancer, to return to the Senate.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The end game is near for Senator McCain.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

U.S. Senator John McCain Does Not Want President Trump At His Funeral


NBC: McCain doesn't want Trump at funeral, friends tell White House

McCain, who has been battling brain cancer, and Trump have had a turbulent relationship. The senator wants Vice President Mike Pence to attend instead.

WASHINGTON — People close to Sen. John McCain have told the White House that the ailing Arizona Republican does not want President Donald Trump to attend his funeral and would like Vice President Mike Pence to come instead, a source close to McCain confirmed to NBC News.

McCain, 81, has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer for nearly a year and is back home in Arizona after he underwent surgery last month for an intestinal infection.

The senator, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee, said in an audio excerpt this week of his forthcoming memoir, "I don't know how much longer I'll be here," according to a clip aired by NPR.

Read more ....

Update #1: At His Ranch, John McCain Shares Memories and Regrets With Friends (New York Times)
Update #2: REVEALED: Brain cancer-stricken Senator John McCain, 81, does NOT want Trump at his funeral (Daily Mail)

WNU Editor: On the contrary this was one of his better decisions .... McCain says he regrets picking Palin as running mate (The Hill).

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Will Senator John McCain Sink The Nomination Of Gina Haspel As CIA Director?

Sen. Jon McCain (R-Ariz.), who has been away from the Capitol battling cancer, is the most closely watched figure in the debate over GIna Haspel's nomination to lead the CIA. (Melina Mara / The Washington Post)

L.A. Times: John McCain was tortured as a POW in Vietnam. Will he help sink CIA nominee implicated in torture program?

Activists seeking to derail President Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA are looking to Sen. John McCain to cast the deciding vote against her — assuming he is well enough to return to Washington.

The 81-year-old Republican was diagnosed with brain cancer in July and last cast a vote in the Senate on early December before he returned home to Arizona for treatment. He underwent surgery in Phoenix for an intestinal infection on April 15.

Haspel's critics are counting on McCain to speak out against her nomination, even if he can't cast a vote on the Senate floor, cementing his legacy as the country's most prominent critic of torture as he faces the twilight of his career.

"Sen. McCain is essential," said Matt Hawthorne, policy director for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. "He has more moral leadership on the issue of torture than anyone."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: When it comes to Senator John McCain anything is possible. But from what I have read so far, much of the intel community appears to be backing Gina Haspel's nomination. Will Sen. John McCain decide to go against what the intel community wants and sink the nomination of the agency's first female CIA Director ..... we shall see.

Monday, April 9, 2018

U.S. Senator McCain Blames President Trump For Chemical Weapons Attack In Syria

Jason Reed/Reuters

Washington Post: McCain takes his Trump criticism to a whole new level, suggesting blame for chemical weapons attack in Syria

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has made it pretty clear that he's no fan of President Trump; he delivered a whole speech that attacked Trump's worldview and seemed to knock Trump for receiving Vietnam War deferments for bone spurs. But McCain's comments about Trump on Sunday may be his most severe.

In a statement, McCain indirectly blamed Trump for the chemical weapons attack in Syria, suggesting that Trump's recent comments about U.S. troops leaving Syria “very soon” and his noninterventionist approach have “emboldened” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“President Trump last week signaled to the world that the United States would prematurely withdraw from Syria,” McCain said. “Bashar Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers have heard him, and emboldened by American inaction, Assad has reportedly launched another chemical attack against innocent men, women and children, this time in Douma.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: U.S. Senator McCain is of the opinion that U.S. troops leaving Syria will not be in the interests of the American people. I disagree. But blaming President Trump for this chemical attack .... a conflict that has had its share of chemical attacks by both sides throughout this war long before President Trump even dreamed of running for the Presidency .... is quite a stretch .... even for him.

More News On U.S. Senator McCain Blaming President Trump For Last Week's Chemical Weapons Attack In Syria

McCain: Trump 'emboldened' Assad with comments on US withdrawal from Syria -- CNN
John McCain claims Trump's remarks about US military withdrawing from Syria 'emboldened' the Assad government to launch chemical gas attack that killed at least 42 people -- Daily Mail
McCain: Trump 'emboldened' Assad days before suspected chemical attack by saying he wanted to withdraw US troops from Syria -- Business Insider
Syria chemical attack: McCain says Trump's talk of pulling US troops ‘emboldened’ Assad -- CNBC/USA Today

Monday, December 18, 2017

Sen. John McCain Returns To Arizona As He Battles Cancer



Washington Post: McCain, battling brain cancer, leaves Washington for Christmas break before contentious vote on tax bill

Sen. John McCain left the nation’s capital Sunday to spend Christmas in Arizona with his family as he battles brain cancer, giving his Republican Party one less vote as it is expected this week to attempt to push through a contentious tax bill along party lines.

President Trump told reporters Sunday that McCain (R-Ariz.) and his wife, Cindy McCain, have “headed back [to Arizona], but I understand he’ll come if we ever needed his help, which hopefully we won’t.” He added: “But the word is John will come back if we need his vote. It’s too bad. He’s going through a very tough time, there’s no question about it. But he will come back if we need his vote.”

Trump said he spoke to Cindy McCain by phone Sunday. “I wished her well. I wish John well,” he said.

Read more ....

Update #1: John McCain, Fighting Brain Cancer, Likely to Miss Vote on Tax Overhaul (New York Times)
Update #2: Sen. McCain returning to Arizona, will miss tax bill vote (CNN)

WNU Editor: His vote is not needed for the tax bill. And as for Senator McCain's health .... he is going through a very rough time now. In situations like this politics becomes irrelevant. Our prayers are with him and his family.

Friday, December 8, 2017

U.S. Sen. John McCain Wants To Now Fire Those Responsible For Weapons Cost Overruns


DoD Buzz/Military.com: McCain Wants to Fire Those Responsible for Weapons Cost Overruns

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is playing hardball with the Pentagon when it comes to acquisition programs that end up billions of dollars over budget or deliver years late.

In a hearing before the committee Thursday, Sen. John McCain took to task Ellen Lord, the new under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, for recent examples of acquisition malpractice, including the Army's Future Combat Systems and the USS Gerald S. Ford, the first of the Navy's new class of supercarriers.

FCS was canceled in 2009 after six years of work and more than $6 billion in taxpayer investment; the Ford was delivered earlier this year, more than $2 billion over budget and 15 months later than expected.

McCain said he asked Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson who was responsible for cost overruns and was told Richardson didn't know.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Hmmmm .... after spending years being the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee ... and supporting every defense budget while asking for more ..... Senator John McCain is now concerned about cost over-runs and procurement problems?!?!?

Thursday, August 10, 2017

U.S. Senator John McCain Presents His Strategy For Afghanistan

U.S. Senator John McCain speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan July 4, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

John McCain, RCD: A New Strategy for Afghanistan

America is adrift in Afghanistan. President Obama’s ‘don’t lose’ strategy has put us on a path to achieving the opposite result. Now, nearly seven months into President Trump’s administration, we’ve had no strategy at all as conditions on the ground have steadily worsened. The thousands of Americans putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan deserve better from their commander-in-chief.

Adopting a new strategy for achieving America’s national security interests in Afghanistan is a decision of the highest importance, one that should be subjected to rigorous scrutiny and debate within our government. But we must face facts: we are losing in Afghanistan and time is of the essence if we intend to turn the tide.

That is why, after consulting with some of our nation’s most experienced and respected former military and intelligence officials, I have filed an amendment to the defense authorization bill that outlines the strategy we need to achieve America’s national security interests in Afghanistan and the wider region.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: He outlines a number of broad goals and objectives .... but sadly .... these same goals and objectives have been applied in the past, and they have failed. The Trump administration promised their Afghan strategy was going to be released in July .... but differences have postponed its release.

Friday, August 4, 2017

U.S. Senator McCain Slams President Trump On Afghanistan. Threatens To Present His Own Strategy



CNBC: McCain backs general, threatens to craft own Afghanistan strategy if Trump can't in time

President Donald Trump, frustrated that the U.S. is "losing" in Afghanistan, is considering replacing the American military commander leading the campaign, according to a report.

According to NBC News, the president during a July 19 meeting "repeatedly suggested" to his military advisors that they should replace Army Gen. John Nicholson, the current top U.S. commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan. It cited senior administration officials.

Previously, Nicholson requested the administration increase the number of U.S. soldiers fighting the battle against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Nicholson formally assumed command of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan in March 2016.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Where was Senator McCain for 16 years? And he now wants to run Afghan war policy and strategy?

More News On U.S. Senator McCain Threatening President Trump To Present His Own Afghan Strategy

McCain backs top commander, slams Trump on Afghanistan -- CNN
McCain: Trump failing on Afghanistan (The Hill).
John McCain backs Afghanistan commander amid reports Trump wants him gone -- Washington Examiner
McCain Says He Will Offer Afghanistan Strategy in September -- Newsmax
McCain threatens to give his own Afghanistan strategy to Trump -- CNN

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

U.S. Senator John McCain Threatens To Provide His Own Afghan Strategy To President Trump

U.S. Senator John McCain speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan July 4, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

VOA: McCain Again Takes on Trump Administration, Will Offer Afghan War Strategy

U.S. Senator John McCain was back in Arizona on Monday to begin treatment for brain cancer, but his situation did not stop him from again slamming the Trump administration for having "no strategy for success in Afghanistan" more than six months after the presidential inauguration.

"When the Senate takes up the National Defense Authorization Act in September, I will offer an amendment based on the advice of some our best military leaders that will provide a strategy for success in achieving America's national interests in Afghanistan," McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement released Monday.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: So he is going to gather the advice of military leaders (active or retired?), and push his own Afghan strategy and agenda into law. Yup .... he has gone more than just rogue.

More News On U.S. Senator John McCain Threatening To Provide His Own Afghan Strategy To President Trump

McCain promises Afghanistan strategy in slap at Trump administration -- The Hill
McCain threatens to give his own Afghanistan strategy to Trump -- CNN
McCain Says He Will Propose New Afghanistan Strategy -- RFE
McCain to Provide Plan to Develop Successful Strategy in Afghanistan - Statement -- Sputnik

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

U.S. Senator John McCain Has Been Diagnosed With Aggressive Brain Cancer



CNN: Sen. John McCain has brain cancer, aggressive tumor surgically removed

(CNN)Sen. John McCain, 80, has been diagnosed with a primary glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, Mayo Clinic doctors directly involved in the senator's care told CNN exclusively. The doctors spoke directly to CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

The senator underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on Friday at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Lab results from that surgery confirmed the presence of brain cancer associated with the blood clot.

Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive tumor that forms in the tissue of the brain and spinal cord, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is a shock. Sadly .... I also know that the type of cancer that he has .... at his age .... will be very difficult to recover from, even if the operation to remove the tumor was a success. Our prayers are with him, his family, and loved ones.

More News On U.S. Senator John McCain

Doctors: Sen. John McCain has brain tumor -- AP
Senator McCain diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer -- Reuters
Sen. John McCain Diagnosed With Brain Cancer -- NBC
John McCain, Republican senator from Arizona, diagnosed with brain tumor -- Washington Post
John McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer, spokesman says -- The Guardian
John McCain: US senator diagnosed with brain cancer -- ABC News Online
McCain’s brain tumor is particularly aggressive type -- AP
What if McCain leaves office? Here's how the process works -- AZ Central

U.S. Senator McCain Recovering From Major Surgery



Daily Mail: Explained: John McCain's skull surgery - and why his blood clot could have caused him to act so bizarrely in the Comey hearing

* John McCain had a blood clot removed from behind his left eyebrow on Friday
* Surgeons performed a craniotomy with an eyebrow incision to remove it
* The clot was discovered during a routine physical, which he received often because of bouts of melanoma
* McCain had invasive melanoma on his left temple in 2000 just inches from where the clot was
* The clot could have been caused by the melanoma, but it also could have been caused by a number of other things including a stroke, a fall or blood thinners
* If it was caused by a fall or blood thinners it could have been why McCain appeared so confused in June when he was questioning James Comey

Senator John McCain was hospitalized Friday after a routine physical discovered a blood clot just behind his left eye.

The 80-year-old Arizona politician had a 5cm clot removed via a minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision.

Though the surgery itself was not considered to be too intrusive, McCain's medical history and bouts of melanoma suggests that the clot could be the sign of a much more serious problem.

And after the Senator's confused questioning of ex-FBI head James Comey in June, a number of people have expressed concern for McCain's mental health and are wondering if the clot could have been affecting him in that way.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is never a good sign to have major surgery at 80. Recovery is also going to take time .... and while I know he is not going to retire, these medical problems have a habit of coming back.

Hat tip to Fred for this link.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Is Senator McCain Trying To Undermine President Trump?


Daily Mail: Revealed: 'Ordinary 'citizen' John McCain dispatched a trusted aide across the Atlantic to get dirty dossier from ex-spy after former British diplomat told him about blackmail tapes

* The Guardian charted the path the dirty dossier made from a British intelligence professional to Sen. John McCain and then the FBI
* McCain, 80, put out a statement Wednesday saying that he was the bureau's source of the controversial dossier
* The Arizona Republican found out about the dossier's existence while at a meeting in Canada and dispatched an emissary to hunt it down
* He met an ex-British diplomat in Canada - now identified as Sir Andrew Wood -who in one version of events told him about the file
* Wood is a former associate of Tony Blair the ex-British prime minister, and admitted talking to McCain
* He issued a nuanced statement saying he did not give McCain the dossier and had 'done nothing wrong' - but he did not deny telling McCain the file existed

Sen. John McCain said he did 'what any citizen would do' in turning over the dirty dossier, which contained unconfirmed secrets about the president-elect, over to the FBI.

The Guardian charted the path of how the dossier came to be and how it was that McCain got his hands on the controversial documents.

The story of the dossier began with an investigative firm in Washington, D.C., being tapped by one of Trump's primary allies to dig up some opposition research on the Republican hopeful.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Guardian story that charts the path of this dossier (and Senator McCain's role in it) is here .... How the Trump dossier came to light: secret sources, a retired spy and John McCain (The Guardian). Sen. McCain's involvement with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya has also come to light with this discovery by Trump supporter Jack Posobiac of this picture of her in John McCain's office on Christmas Eve (see link here). Is Senator McCain involved in a campaign to destroy the Trump Presidency .... it sure looks like it. But this is old news. It has not been a secret that Senator McCain is no fan of President Trump, and his role in this dossier has been reported numerous times by the press and by this blog. On a side note, it should be noted that the author of this Russian dossier has admitted that its contents have not been verified .... and that there is no evidence to back its claims .... Ex-British Spy Admits That His 'Dirty' Dossier On Trump Was Not Verified (April 26, 2017)

On a side note, this is still ongoing .... The Company Behind The Russian Dossier On Trump Does Not Want To Cooperate With Congress (June 10, 2017)

Sunday, July 9, 2017

U.S. Senator John McCain: 'I Regret Voting For Rex Tillerson As Secretary Of State'



Reuters: Two senior Republican senators criticize Tillerson comments on Russia

Two senior Republican U.S. senators criticized Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday for saying that Russia may have the "right approach" on Syria and for what they called his lack of focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"His statements about Syria really disturb me. No, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does not have it right when it comes to Syria," Senator Lindsey Graham said.

In separate television interviews, Graham and Senator John McCain, prominent Republican foreign policy voices, took aim at Tillerson's remarks last week that Russia may have "got the right approach" and the United States the wrong approach to Syria.

Read more ....

Update #1: John McCain: 'Sometimes I do' regret voting for Rex Tillerson as secretary of state (Washington Examiner)
Update #2: McCain Blasts Tillerson for Suggesting Russia Could Have ‘Right Approach’ in Syria (Washington Free Beacon)

WNU editor: Senator McCain still has trouble accepting the idea that Donald Trump was elected President .... and that President Trump's policies on what to do in places like Syria are markedly different from what Senator McCain wants the U.S. to do. As to what is my take .... in regards to Syria, Senator McCain`s approach is a guarantee for more war, and a greater U.S. military commitment in that quagmire.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Russian President Putin: 'Honestly, I Like John McCain'



The Hill: Putin: 'I like Senator McCain'

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a leading Russia hawk, during his interviews for an upcoming Showtime interview special, saying, "I like Senator McCain ... And I’m not joking."

McCain is one of the leaders of the Republican charge to increase sanctions against Russia over election tampering.

Putin makes the comments in newly released clips from "The Putin Interviews," a multi-night special featuring film director Oliver Stone interviewing the man McCain has called a "murderer and a thug who seeks to undermine American national security interests at every turn."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: No .... he does not like him .... Putin dubs McCain 'nuts', says US drones, commandos killed Gaddafi (RT).

More News On Russian President Putin's Remarks On U.S. Senator John McCain

Putin says Kremlin critic Senator McCain 'lives in Old World' -- Reuters
Putin says he likes John McCain despite senator calling him a 'butcher' and 'thug' -- The Independent
Putin Calls U.S. Senator McCain 'Old World' But Admires His Patriotism -- RFE
Putin: 'Honestly, I like Sen. McCain' -- Washington Examiner
Putin to Oliver Stone: ‘I like McCain’s patriotism & consistency, but he is living in the past’ -- RT