GOP senator tells CNN's Blitzer: It's 'your job' to speak up on Trump

[highplainsdem]

Source: The Hill

Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) on Tuesday defended his handling of President Trump, saying it is the job of news media to hold the president accountable for being truthful in what he says.

"When he lies about something and you know it's a lie, shouldn't you speak up?" CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked.

"That's your job," the GOP senator responded.

Blitzer pressed Risch on the issue, pointing out the co-equal authority of Congress in the government to the executive branch.

-snip-

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/357003-gop-senator-tells-cnns-wolf-its-your-job-to-speak-up-on-trump

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Risch's response was to bring up other politicians, even local politicians in Utah, and say that if he were to "jump up and start criticizing" every politician he disagreed with, he'd be "busy all day long" with that.

Never mind that the question was about the president. Never mind Congress's Constitutional role in providing checks and balances on the president...

And when Blitzer pointed out that Trump attacks CNN and other media outlets as "fake news," Frisch said that was Trump's "right" if the media was "doing the wrong thing."

[SeattlePop]

1. Hmmmmm I Smell Fascism

I wonder where that smell is coming from.....

[KY_EnviroGuy]

2. I've always heard...

that in the Republican Party, it's a cardinal sin to criticize any fellow politician in public, and that's been my experience. That sure as hell can be one of the basic tenets of fascism.

I smell it too, from the east.

[rurallib]

5. that was Reagan's "11th commandment"

Never speak ill of another Republican.

kind of like a mafia code for rich, white, old men.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

9. And, tRump has added a 12th.

12th GOP Commandment: It's a cardinal sin for anyone on earth - or any god - to criticize D. John tRump for any reason at any time. Punishment for doing so is eternal damnation on Twitter.

[susanna]

20. YEP.

"Never speak ill of a fellow Republican."

Now we see where that leads.

[jalan48]

3. He's making poor Wolf shake in his shoes.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

4. Saw this while at the gym - what a weasel Risch is... n/m

[Plucketeer]

6. Hell! The whole fucking bunch of them

the politicians AND the 4th estate are one sleazy clusterfuck of weasels!

[RhodeIslandOne]

7. James Risch is a non-entity

A useless Senator from a useless state who is sadly given one vote to fuck the American people.

[yonder]

16. I agree

with your useless Senator comment. Gosh, I dislike him and in my opinion, he has done little for Idaho's 1st district or the looney, red-hat supporters who keep electing him. However, and unless I'm misunderstanding your context for the "useless state" part, I would have to disagree with you there. That hits too close to home.

[RhodeIslandOne]

23. Im sorry, but Idaho routinely sends these people to DC

Crapo, Labrador, that nut Helen Chenowith, the list goes on and on....at least Montana occasionally votes for a Democrat. Wyoming and Idaho are lost causes.....this is not one guy or gal, but a constant stream of diarrhea.

[wiggs]

8. Wolf's next question: since we know he lies, takes joy in punching down on the vulnerable,

has 71 years of despicable behavior behind him, cheats people who works for him, lacks basic knowledge of issues, is impulsive more than thoughtful, is a small man emotionally, and is a narcissist....how can we trust that good policies and actions which benefit Americans and which keep us safe will flow from that kind of a mind?

I like that more people at least recognize he has a problem with truth and fairness and reality...next step is to talk about how that affects every aspect of what he does, including policy and legislation. Right now, media is discussing his sociopathy in the context of style...Wolf has to ask if a sociopath is more likely to generate good policy or more likely to pursue sociopathic policy that reflects who he is.

Come on, man!

[C_U_L8R]

10. Oh geez. The buck stops ...................... over there

[Angry Dragon]

11. a hole bunch of lazy scared people in congress

spineless
So many in Congress just want to collect a pay check and not do a damn thing to earn it

[turbinetree]

12. Making $174,000 and not doing his job --------------he is your sexual predator asshole

and when your sexual predator lies, you are suppose to defend and protect the Constitution, and the first amendment ------and guess what asshole you failed your a fucking fascist and you support a fucking TRAITOR

[bitterross]

13. His response should have been....

Well senator, you are the one who took an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the land.

Suck on that.

[LiberalLovinLug]

14. Good luck with helping Wolf Blitzer call out Trump's lies

I don't think he considers that his job. He is all about making sure he doesn't offend any guest from any of the parties. So they come back on his show. Republicans can lie profusely on his show while he just has this deer in headlights look while nodding his head.

[SalviaBlue]

15. To which Wolf replied, "We'll have to leave it there." nt

[Initech]

17. These assholes will never be satisfied with anything we do.

We talk shit about them, they will tell us to talk shit harder.

[TeamPooka]

18. The word of the day is "accomplice." nt

[pansypoo53219]

19. the pussies are afraid of the monster THEY created.

[Achilleaze]

21. republicans dodge their own basic responsibility to speak truth

This story speaks volumes about core republican values. Of course it's the media's job to call Comrade Casino* on his lies. They do a generally shitty job of it. But it's also an elected official's job (hell, everbody's job) to tell the truth, and to speak up when you recognize a falsehood.

Lies are dangerous. But republicans absolve themselves of the fundamental responsibility to call lies out. Disgusting. Weak as water. Lame. Unfit for public office.

* republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief

[Mr. Ected]

22. The First Amendment is practically worthless if the media shirks its duties

They are simply the pass-through for lies, more lies, and even more lies.

[rpannier]

24. Blitzer collects a paycheck

then hits the bar
That's pretty much his whole job
What he does on TV is steal oxygen