Trump doubles down on NATO pullback, slaps at GOP Senate Leader McConnell for second-guessing him

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

Donald Trump reiterated his call for the U.S. to pull back from its commitment to NATO and said the Republican leader of the Senate was wrong to ascribe the proposal to "a rookie mistake."

"He's 100% wrong. OK?" Trump said in an interview aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "He's 100% wrong if he said that."

Trump shocked many in the country's defense and foreign policy establishment when he said Wednesday in a New York Times story that, as commander in chief, he would not automatically come to the defense of America's NATO allies if they were attacked.

* * *

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who had given a less-than-rousing speech in support of Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention, responded by suggesting the remark showed the political neophyte's inexperience and the need for guidance from more seasoned lawmakers.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-1469369642-htmlstory.html

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Any coincidence that a Russian hack turns into an anti-Dem disclosure?

[MichiganVote]

1. I can believe it. Some of us are old enough to remember the Soviet of old.

[Akicita]

15. I guess the Europeans don't remember or they would pay their fair share for their own defense.

[MichiganVote]

20. Without the Europeans during WWI and II, you and I would not be here.

Its a military global game of chess. I can't say what the Europeans pay in currency for military support. Perhaps you can?

[Akicita]

22. What! Without the Europeans there would not have been a WWI or WWII.

They were European wars that spread. Without the Europeans starting wars that we got dragged in to, many of us would have many more relatives today.


Each NATO country is supposed to spend at least 3% of their GNP on defense. Besides the US only Britain even comes close.

[MichiganVote]

24. Not so. Pay better attention when you take a HS history class again

and focus on the economic end of things.

[Akicita]

25. I am very well versed in history thank you.

[MichiganVote]

26. As am I.

[Akicita]

29. Correction. The NATO defense target is 2% of GDP and five countries meet the goal.

Surprisingly, Greece is one of them. Second only to the US. Poland, Britain, and Estonia are the others.

[fleabiscuit]

27. Cross link;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8043463

[msongs]

2. ya suppose mc connell will secretly vote for hillary/kaine? as will many other repubs... nt

[leftofcool]

9. Yes, I do indeed think so.

I live in Kentucky and have it on rumor that Rand Paul will be voting for Hillary as well.

[Akicita]

17. I'm pretty sure he will. If it's a choice between the establishment and an outsider he will choose

the establishment every time.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. They deserve each other,

not in a good way.

[LakeVermilion]

4. Baltic countries will be the first to rejoin the new Soviet Union.

[Akicita]

18. Or start paying their share of their defense.

If the Baltic countries would rather rejoin the new Soviet Union than pay their fair share for their defense then by all means let them.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. I think it's morphing into megalomania

Men in white suits can handle this

[Ghost Dog]

39. Has any POTUS ever in history been removed

this way?

[David__77]

6. Neither candidate should advocate Cold War-style politics, in my opinion.

We should move past bloc-style politics, in my opinion.

[TomCADem]

31. With Russia's Invasion of the Ukraine ...

...as well as their attacks on Georgia, I think it would be a mistake to minimize the importance of NATO. Russian aggression against its neighbors is hardly ancient history.

[David__77]

37. I don't think supporting Ukraine sovereignty requires bloc-style politics.

I understand that Russia took actions that violated Ukraine's territorial integrity.

[TomCADem]

42. Diplomacy Involves Creating Coalitions

NATO is one of the longest standing coalitions. The Ukraine situations shows that the prospect of Russia seeking to expand its territory is not ancient history.

[Dawson Leery]

7. Trump is a true security threat to us and Europe.

He is doing Putin's work for him.

[ericson00]

8. I feel like Trump would give Alaska "back to Russia"

and sell it to the American people as some sort of "tremendous deal."

[PJMcK]

52. Will he throw in the Palins as an inducement? (n/t)

[Bluestar]

10. I'm very worried about his receiving top secret intelligence updates starring tomorrow

He could give the briefings to Putin or he will blab them on primetime tv.

[Tess49]

13. I think he'll just blab. He won't be able to contain himself. By the way, what happens if

he does this? From a legal standpoint? I also suspect that he'll be heavily monitored for any breaches.

[liberalmuse]

28. I imagine he'll be given "soft" briefings.

They might even test to ensure he doesn't start tweeting them out.

[Tess49]

41. I hope that's the case. n/t

[MBS]

45. This is also my hope.

The alternative is just way too scary.

[Akicita]

19. Probably will tweet top secret info.

[Blackjackdavey]

43. that would probably be an excellent development

as it would clear the way for us to stop talking about Hillary's emails.

[Akicita]

47. Excellent to expose top secret information to our enemies?

[Blackjackdavey]

48. Feel free

to take my comment with a grain of salt.

[Akicita]

50. Will do.

[Sunlei]

38. Republican Trump will just 'let' russia hack the info out of his computer & claim he knows nothing.

CrowdStrike stands fully by its analysis and findings identifying two separate Russian intelligence-affiliated adversaries present in the DNC
https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/bears-midst-intrusion-democratic-national-committee/

[mia]

12. Imagine a Trump/Putin business partnership.

Trump would sell out the United States to close a deal.


?w=820

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. "Still think you can control them?" - nm

[goldent]

16. This is going way too far

although I would be happy to see the US take a reduced role in NATO.

[icarusxat]

21. For right now I think Trump is right...

this is not a "rookie mistake" it is the mark of a buffoon with little knowledge and zero understanding of US military policy, foreign police, or common sense...

[Rustyeye77]

23. To Drump, everyone's an enemy.

[merrily]

30. Trump v. McConnell? I'm fine with either of those two discrediting the other.

The more any of them fight with each other, the better, I think.

[Rex]

33. Someone finally told Trump was NATO is and does as an organization.

I can promise you Trump had no idea. McConnell...hard to say what that guy thinks it is like deer in the headlights 24-7 with that one.

[merrily]

34. I don't doubt Trump knows less than the average DUer about what our government does and how.

For example, didn't he call for firing of Justice Ginsberg (or some equivalent)?

[Rex]

35. Yes and he said the FBI makes up their numbers in reports.

Because you know, he said he has the best memory in the world. He said he knew more about war then all our generals. He is deranged.

[Rex]

32. Trump better be careful and do what Pooty Poot tells him to do.

No doubt Trump just learned what NATO is and it's origin.

[Kathy M]

36. Kaine mentioned the other day at rally his son

was being deployed in a few days to NATO.... Maybe they will be doing some reassurance to our country and over seas . I have run across a site where there are some that love this idea . Its a bad idea..... but look to who trump is played to to get votes .

[DetlefK]

40. The foreign-policy-wing of the Republicans will love this.

They're gonna vote for Trump so hard...

[dbackjon]

44. Trump = Russian Serf

[lanlady]

46. Donald MC Trump

"Manchurian Candidate"

It's too bad younger voters aren't familiar with that film from the early 60s or the book. I would love for the Dems to stick him with that label!

[MBS]

49. There is no way that one can overstate

how dangerous and vile this man is. The future of our republic, and of the planet, is at stake in this election.

[tonyt53]

51. Trump and his attitude abotu NATO are just stupid, but he can call McConnell anything he wants