John McCain’s moment of truth ("cognitive dissonance on steroids") - By Jennifer Rubin

[DonViejo]

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) issued a tough statement, the toughest to date from a Republican, in support of the Gold Star Khan family in the face of Donald Trump’s despicable attacks. “I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement,” he said. “I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.”

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Naming Trump and condemning his behavior go beyond criticism from other Republicans. McCain, nevertheless, has not pulled his endorsement. We asked his office if he now or in the future would withdraw his support, and how he could still maintain his support for Trump. No response was forthcoming.

This leaves McCain, like other Republicans, simultaneously condemning Trump’s horrible rhetoric but nevertheless telling the country by virtue of his endorsement that Trump is fit to be president — and preferable to Hillary Clinton. This is cognitive dissonance on steroids.

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There is no escape for McCain and others. Either they think Trump is prepared and fit to be president — suggesting his repeated outbursts, overt bigotry, abject ignorance and incessantly lying are not disqualifying — or they believe his behavior to be so beyond the pale as to negate blind partisan loyalty. Right now they are saying the former. As things stand, they continue to put their own perceived political interests and party fidelity above principle and simple human decency.

At this point, the level of disgust with not just Trump but also his defenders threatens the viability of the GOP. Why is this party worth supporting if it cannot bring itself to reject a character as intrinsically detestable as Trump, someone who would endanger the country and disgrace us in the eyes of the world? You’ve got me.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/08/01/john-mccains-moment-of-truth/?wpisrc=nl_popns&wpmm=1#comments