Top US politicians warn of democratic values at risk
Top US politicians warn of democratic values at risk
putting it in perspective
Taking implicit aim at President Trump, political heavyweights George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and John McCain speak out about democracy and foreign policy, raising questions about the path ahead for the nation and GOP.
Peter Grier
Henry Gass
October 20, 2017 Washington and San Antonio, TexasThey were about President Trump. They were also about more than President Trump. Much more.
An extraordinary series of speeches this week from two former US Presidents and a former presidential candidate warned of the dangers to the nation and the world if divisive politics continues to cleave the American electorate into thoughtlessly hostile warring camps.
Former President George W. Bush talked about a rise in bigotry and casual cruelty. Former President Barack Obama observed that public life seems to be regressing from the 21st to the 19th century. Former presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona stressed the importance of an America engaged with the world and criticized half-baked, spurious nationalism.
None mentioned Mr. Trumps name. To do so would have been both inflammatory and limiting. Their theme was not so much the content of Trumps tweets as long-developing cracks in the American character. If the cracks are not to widen, voters may need to reach out to each other instead of push away.
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https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/1020/Top-US-politicians-warn-of-democratic-values-at-risk?cmpid=FB