Yesterday, Sen. John McCain announced his intent to vote against the confirmation of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA:
I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country & has devoted her professional life to its service & defense. However, her role in overseeing the use of torture is disturbing & her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying. https://t.co/ocDtdqU2Sx
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) May 10, 2018
Given McCain’s own history, it’s no surprise that he’s concerned about the use of torture. You may or may not agree with his argument, but he’s more than earned the right to make it.
Apparently Ret. Gen. Thomas McInerney disagrees. In an interview with Fox Business’ Charles Payne, the Fox News analyst went after McCain with a hit so far below the belt, he may have very well grazed hell:
…Wow
Conversation on Fox about torture: "It worked on John [McCain]. That's why they call him 'Songbird John'" https://t.co/OjCwhv2ZhI pic.twitter.com/WehsgPAqgb
— Leanne Naramore (@LeanneNaramore) May 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/BecketAdams/status/994641782599245826
Unreal. Regardless of how you feel about McCain’s Senate career, a swipe like that is absolutely beyond the pale.
no big deal, just Fox Business News giving a platform to a smear of Sen. John McCain's time being tortured in a Vietnamese POW camp. https://t.co/SLCR4Ui9Gq
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 10, 2018
Well this is disgusting https://t.co/xhiNEoA1oN
— Elizabeth McLaughlin (@Elizabeth_McLau) May 10, 2018
Shameful. https://t.co/WfcBoBMso5
— Sean Agnew (@seanagnew) May 10, 2018
This is shameful. "Military analyst on Fox advocates for torture: "It worked on John [McCain]. That's why they call him 'Songbird John'" https://t.co/9U7enM0EGO
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) May 10, 2018
This is despicable. While I object to McCain's legacy in the Senate, it is despicable to denigrate the man for the years of torture he endured while bravely serving and sacrificing on behalf of our great country. Just despicable.
— Collin Yourbs (@CollinYourbs) May 10, 2018
A retired USAF three-star general, Thomas McInerney – a birther crank – just referred to former POW John McCain as "Songbird John" on FOX Business.
Don't tell me not to question the patriotism of people who talk like this.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/michi83/status/994644971306278912
This is so despicable @FoxNews
— Kate (@KatMB2017) May 10, 2018
No words fit the revulsion i have…
— PhotonBlink (@TritiumBurst) May 10, 2018
This is completely unacceptable.@SenJohnMcCain is an American hero. The men and women who serve deserve better. This line of attack is cheap and deplorable way to score political points. FULL STOP #Veteran #JohnMcCain God Bless our #POWs & #MIAs ??
— nicksmithnews™ (@nicksmithnews) May 10, 2018
Are you $%@*ing serious? He's a decorated POW you pieces of s%@*.
— WhoWatchestheWatcher (@WatcherWho) May 10, 2018
I have no words… I am so angry, I have no words.
— R. Brenton (@brenton1218) May 10, 2018
I’ve disagreed with Senator McCain on many things, but he knows more about the depth of human cruelty than most.
This clip is reprehensible.
— (((INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK))) (@bootstrapp1ng) May 10, 2018
WHAT THE HELL? ?????
THIS EXCHANGE ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON @FOXBUSINESS, AND THIS GUY IS A @FOXNEWS MILITARY ANALYST. @cvpayne, this is shameful, disgusting, and as fake as fake news can get! pic.twitter.com/SITotDRIYR
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) May 10, 2018
Wow!
Sickening.
This B.S. about McCain being a "songbird" is ridiculous.— Ge?rge Wept (@GeorgeWept) May 10, 2018
Shame on Gen. McInerney. And shame on Charles Payne for not immediately calling him out.
And not a word of rebuke from @cvpayne! Not a single word. Despicable. https://t.co/MYvQ1wDHmt
— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) May 10, 2018
Just gross.
It's too bad Ralph Peters isn't still at Fox just because he would've walked on set and ripped this jackass's throat out on live TV https://t.co/4Modkwd9ID
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) May 10, 2018
And we would’ve cheered him on.
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Update:
This smear vs @SenJohnMcCain has been debunked many times, including by @PolitiFact https://t.co/CoBpZXsNMV People who repeat the lie do so because he has vocally opposed torture, including by CIA. No surprise it's revived this week during Haspel hearing https://t.co/tCrZyz28GI
— Indira Lakshmanan (@Indira_L) May 10, 2018
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Update:
'Too little, too late'? FBN's Charles Payne addresses Thomas McInerney's SHAMEFUL McCain remarks https://t.co/4BvoHBIF0H
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 10, 2018
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