Trump says he doesn't owe John McCain an apology

CBS News ^ | 07/19/2015 | By REBECCA KAPLAN

[SeekAndFind]

Does Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump owe Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, an apology for demeaning McCain's war record at an event in Iowa Saturday?

"No, not at all," was Trump's answer Sunday in an interview on ABC's "This Week."

At the Iowa Family Leadership Summit, Trump said McCain - who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam - is "a war hero 'cause he was captured."

"I like people that weren't captured, OK?" Trump said.

The comments drew swift and biting condemnation from his fellow candidates and some veterans groups, who called on Trump to apologize.

That's not how the business mogul and reality TV star sees it. He said he didn't refute the idea that McCain is a war hero (though he did say, "he's not a war hero" before modifying his remarks"), and that he was actually being critical of McCain's record on veterans issues.

"I'm very disappointed in John McCain because the vets are horribly treated in this country. I'm fighting for the vets. I've done a lot for the vets," Trump said. He said his fellow candidates were so quick to condemn him because he's been rising in the polls in recent weeks after generating yet another controversy after he called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals.

[Tax-chick]

I’m not impressed when people fake-apologize for saying what they really believe.

[fhayek]

He doesn’t. Quite the contrary.

[amnestynone]

It is John McCain who owes this country an apology for betraying us with amnesty and stabbing us in the back every chance he gets.

[Texas Eagle]

"I'm very disappointed in John McCain because the vets are horribly treated in this country. I'm fighting for the vets. I've done a lot for the vets," Trump said.

There ya go. That's the way to fight back. Don't apologize. In fact, double down.

What has McCainez done or said to improve the lives of Veterans who are dying while awaiting treatment in VA hospitals across the country.

I'm guessing it's safe to conclude that some of those vets may very well have been McCainez's cellmates in The Hanoi Hilton.

[the_daug]

After seeing the video I agree with trump.

[A CA Guy]

Can we send McCain out with the other folks that could be possible rapists, traitors, criminals and anarchist?

[LydiaLong]

If you can stand being held a prisoner in VietNam, a little insult from Donald Trump should be easy.

[ETL]

"I appreciate your inviting me. But what I don't understand ... (pause) ... you're suppose to have a committee of "12"

____________________________________________

John Mccain Exposed By Vietnam Vets And Pow's Youtube video (10:39 mins)

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McCain and the POW Cover-Up: The 'war hero' candidate buried information about POWs left behind...
The American Conservative ^ | July 1, 2010 | Sydney Schanberg

McCain and the POW Cover-Up: The 'war hero' candidate buried information about POWs left behind...
The American Conservative ^ | July 1, 2010 | Sydney Schanberg

[Kenny]

He’s right, he doesn’t owe McCain an apology and the media and GOPe look like a bunch of 5-year olds when they keep asking for one.

Hey, McCain, put on your big-boy boxers and suck it up!

[thesearethetimes...]

BookMark and BTTT

[aquila48]

The video at the link shows what he says in full context and having seen it I give Trump even more credit.

Most of the media does not mention at all the fact that McLame insulted people that showed up at Trump’s rally as “crazies”.

Keep dishing it out Trump.

By the way he also does not defer to that idiot Lutz - puts him in his place.

[GoneSalt]

I wonder how many people know he may have been quoting Chris Rock’s material. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3313847/posts

[mountainlion]

John Kerry owes 2.5M Viet Nam Veterans apologies. He also owes current Veterans apologies also. John McLame owes veterans, conservatives and the rest of us apologies also. He should apologies to the families of those lost on the Forestall that he was involved in. Did McCain cover up POW information?

Why should Trump apologize to these for telling the truth when they tell lies???

[Forgotten Amendments]

[fhayek]

There is an old saw that applies here. Conservatives get mad when Liberals lie. Liberals get mad when Conservatives tell the truth.

[Enlightened1]

BTTT

[boycott]

It is John McCain who owes this country an apology for betraying us with amnesty and stabbing us in the back every chance he gets.

—

So true.

[Henry Hnyellar]

McLame owes AZ and the USA an apology.

[Forgotten Amendments]