Because I've committed to highlighting the candidates for the Dem nomination when they appear, we'll look at Warren and Buttigieg here, and save Pompeo for this week's Extra Credit report.
First up, Warren and Chuck Todd; here are some highlights.
- Warren says we're not safer because Soleimani was killed, rather, we're "much closer to the edge of war" and wonders "Why now? Why not a month ago? Why not a month from now?" She also sees similarities between this latest action and how the administration responded to the Ukraine situation, which was all about Donald Trump acting in his own best interests. And how we need to know that's now what happened here.
- On her support for the USMCA, what's called NAFTA 2.0, which she previously opposed, she said the "Democrats got in and negotiated a very different deal than we had a year ago" even as she said it wasn't a "great arrangement," noting that workers and farmers have been hurt by the Trump administration and need support.
- In response to a question on how voters should see her backing away a little from her original Medicare for All plan and from USMCA/NAFTA, she spoke about being "practical" so that we can get relief to farmers and workers, and then take action as president, negotiating a different deal, one that 'raises labor standards around the world" among other things. Similarly on health care, she'd do what she was allowed to do without Congressional approval, including lowering drugs costs and supporting the Affordable Care Act. She "wants to get as much relief to as many people as quickly as we can," saying that "ought to be the job of the President of the United States." Then she can move with Congress on M4A.
Moving over to CNN's State of the Union, Warren's discussion with Jake Tapper was pretty similar to what she said on MTP; here are a few things that were different.
- Tapper asked her "as president, would you not prioritize the US military killing the leaders of the organizations designated terrorist organizations," a question she did not answer; instead she reiterated the comments made earlier with Todd.
- He asked how she'd "counter the argument" Joe Biden is making, that people are supporting, that he's the best candidate from a foreign policy perspective. She didn't really come close to answering that one either, speaking in generalities about having to get out of the Middle East, working with our allies, dealing with China and Russia and climate change - but not a word on her experience compared to Biden.
- On impeachment and general criticism from Sen. Dick Durbin about senators not being impartial, Warren talked about the separation of powers, and the administration's failure to release any information that's been requested, noting "Boy, that tells me this is someone who has violated the law. And this is someone who needs to be accountable. No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States, and that is what impeachment is about."
And here are highlights from Tapper's interview with Mayor Pete.
- He said that "just because Soleimani deserved" what he got, it doesn't mean that taking him out was the right strategic decision, and that we deserve more information from the administration on the consequences for Americans in the Middle East and around the world. He also said as Commander in Chief he "would never hesitate to use force if it was necessary" to protect American lives, but doing so "has to be better than the alternative."
- On the Biden/foreign policy question. Mayor Pete said his own judgment is informed by his military service, and understanding how much is on the line when we ask our troops to go and carry out our foreign policy. He also reminded Tapper of the generational thing, that "you could be old enough to enlist...to be on one of those planes going to Kuwait right now, and not have been alive when 9/11 happened."
- As to Tapper's saying Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's qualifications are similar to his own, Buttigieg pointed to the support he's gotten from "over 200 very well-respected civilian and military former national security officials, ranging from a former deputy director of the CIA to a former National Security Advisor to a former Secretary of the Navy."
- Regarding Senator Warren's attacks that he's a favorite of billionaires and corporate donors, and that he's all about what's impossible, he said that he's "running based on what's possible..." and on what "will actually unify and not polarize more of the American people." And, basically, if you don't understand that, maybe you need to learn more about his policies.
- Again, staying with Warren's attacks, Tapper asked if Buttigieg would match her commitment to not appoint any high-dollar donors as ambassadors. Anyone he appoints "will be there on their merits, and will be neither qualified or disqualified based on the idea that they supported and believed in my campaign."
- And the last attack, regarding a suggestion by Sen. Amy Klobuchar that Mayor Pete lost his only statewide race by 25 points, so how can he win Michigan? He said, he's a Midwesterner "who has executive experience building an administration, leading a government, guiding a population, in addition to" his military and other experiences.
- And, he added that one thing most presidents and nominees have in common "is losing an election or two. I was under no illusion what I was up against the first time I ran as an unknown figure in 2010, one of the biggest Republican years in history" in his very conservative state. He added, "I have learned as much from the races and the moments in life that didn't go my way as I have from the ones that did." He's a better candidate, he said, and would be a better president, too, because of that.
See you around campus - and check back for the Pompeo Extra Credit, which should be fun.
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