CNN:
The Presidents club is turning on its newest member.Because it wasn't like Bush himself didn't face any bullying from the Left. Frankly, brutal political discourse is nothing new, and Bush faced more than his fair share of it. So there is no irony that he would come out against it. By the way, is Bush talking ONLY about Trump? Only a Leftist tool like CNN's Stephen Collinson (writer of this editorial) could ignore the broader implications of Bush's attack.
Breaking the code of silence that retired commanders in chief normally maintain about their successors, both George W. Bush and Barack Obama delivered clear jabs at the current occupant of the Oval Office on Thursday.
...In New York, Bush delivered a strong indictment of Trump's populist nationalism, condemning trade protectionism and bemoaning how politics had fallen prey to "conspiracy theories" and "outright fabrication." He also warned of the impact of "bullying and prejudice" in public life. It was not hard to work out who he was talking about in one of his most vehement interventions in politics since he left office in January 2009.
As for Obama:
Obama, at the first campaign appearances of his post-presidency, warned about the tone and content of Trump-style politics -- after spending several weeks watching Trump undermine his proudest achievements including the Iran nuclear deal and the Affordable Care Act.Pot, meet kettle. Obama has spent an entire career demonizing Republicans, aka those "people who have different ideas". His signature achievement was done without Republican support.
Apparently referring to the President's handling of racial violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and sluggish condemnation of white supremacists, Obama lamented the "same old politics of division" while campaigning for New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy.
"Some of the politics we see now, we thought we had put that to bed," Obama said. "That's folks looking 50 years back. It's the 21st Century, not the 19th Century."
In a second campaign stop in Virginia, Obama took aim at the methods Trump used to win the election.
"We've got folks who are deliberately trying to make folks angry -- to demonize people who have different ideas; to get the base all riled up because it provides a short-term tactical advantage," Obama said, again without specifically naming the President.
By the way, even if you assume that Bush and Obama are attacking Trump, exactly what credibility do these two failures have? Bush started the never ending war on Islam, and Obama continued it. Note they are only complaining about how Trump talks, and not what he does, which is continuing their failed foreign policies. As for their economic policies, Bush tanked the economy, and Obama's economic malaise is still with us. Neither of these presidents has a record of success on which to support credibility.
Speaking of politicians who need to go away...
Politico:
Mississippi GOP Sen. Thad Cochran insists that he is not retiring from Congress, despite widespread speculation about the veteran lawmaker’s health and political future.
The 79-year-old Cochran appeared frail and at times disoriented during a brief hallway interview on Wednesday. He was unable to answer whether he would remain chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and at one point, needed a staffer to remind him where the Senate chamber is located.
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” Cochran said in a low voice when asked whether he plans to retire after 44 years in office.If you need the definition of "too old to hold political office", it is Thad Cochran. He deserves the bear today:
However, when queried about whether he would stay on as Appropriations chairman, Cochran seemed confused and just repeated the question. “As chairman of the Appropriations Committee?” Cochran asked.
Cochran had to be guided by staffers around a security checkpoint inside the Capitol. He started to walk into a first-floor room — though the Senate chamber is on the second floor. He was then ushered by an aide up to the Senate.
When another reporter asked whether leadership had pressured Cochran to return for a vote on the budget resolution — a key moment in the tax reform debate — Cochran smiled and responded, “It’s a beautiful day outside.”
Cochran sat quietly in his seat during Wednesday's lengthy vote session. He smiled and responded when a fellow senator stopped by to offer greetings, but generally did not speak to anyone else.
On one amendment, Cochran voted “yes” despite being told by an aide to vote “no.” The staffer tried to get the senator to switch his vote, but Cochran kept flashing the “thumbs up” sign, even walking over to the clerk tallying the vote and doing so. GOP floor staffers repeatedly told him the leadership wanted a "no" vote. Several more moments passed before Cochran realized he was voting the wrong way and then changed his vote.
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