Mike Pence Won't Say America is Morally Superior to Russia

[DonViejo]

Source: Mediaite

Pence denied Sunday that President Donald Trump‘s comments in an upcoming interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly defending Putin and saying America wasn’t that innocent represented “morally equivalency.”

“What you heard there was a determination to attempt to deal with the world as it is,” Pence said. “Let’s start afresh with Putin, and start afresh with Russia.”

“Do you think America is morally superior to Russia?” asked host John Dickerson. Pence gave a long response that avoided answering the question: “What we have in this new president is someone who is willing to engage the world, including Russia, and saying where can we find common interests that will advance the security of the American people, the peace and prosperity of the world, and he is determined to come at that in a new and renewed way.”

“But is America morally superior to Russia, yes or no?” asked Dickerson again. “I believe the ideals that America has stood for throughout our history represent the highest ideals of humankind,” Pence said, again failing to answer the question. Dickerson wouldn’t let it end there. “Shouldn’t we be able to just say yes to that question?” he asked. “That America is morally superior to Russia?”

Pence finally said that American ideals were superior to at least some countries, while not naming Russia. “I think it is without question, John… that American ideals are superior to countries all across the world,” he concluded.

Read more: http://www.mediaite.com/online/mike-pence-wont-say-america-is-morally-superior-to-russia/

[Fast Walker 52]

1. oh no, he didn't!!!!

wow, that's fucked up. I hate the guy already, and this is a huge gaffe.

[pangaia]

31. It is not a gaffe at all.

He's on the payroll.

[Fast Walker 52]

34. apparently, yes-- very disturbing. I guess Trump hasn't made America great???

or they literally are not allowed to say the US is better than Russia???

[Hortensis]

39. Yes, and I have him pegged as a strong

authoritarian follower. Most very religious conservatives are.

He's smart and handled this in a way that wouldn't send his watching (current) boss off. But like so many conservatives, he's followed his leaders into indefensible positions on many issues, positions most would never have suspected even 10 years ago that they'd be passionately supporting today.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

2. Did he have his little - American Flag Lapel Pin??

[DonViejo]

5. There's a vid of the interview at the link in the OP...

I just checked it to see if he had his flag on. Yep, he did have it on!

[fountainofyouth]

3. Freedom House on Russian press freedom

The Russian state controls, either directly or through proxies, all five of the major national television networks, as well as national radio networks, important national newspapers, and national news agencies. The state also controls more than 60 percent of the country’s estimated 45,000 regional and local newspapers and other periodicals.

Full report

[SamKnause]

4. Pence is EVIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Republicans are EVIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuck Trump !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuck Republicans !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fast Walker 52]

35. I agree, so disgusting how many Americans still vote for them

[Cirque du So-What]

6. Cowardly little shit

doesn't want to say anything that His Superciliousness may disapprove of. I'm sure he's already felt the wrath.

[fountainofyouth]

7. Once again, imagine if Obama said this

[hibbing]

11. IOIYAR n/t

[roamer65]

8. Dense is in bed with Dump on the Russian collusion.

[WheelWalker]

13. What does he know and when did he know it. eom.

[JHB]

9. Kremlin Don is watching

[Achilleaze]

10. Republicans are morally inferior

but America is not.

Why in the hell do they think there is so much blowback? Americans instinctively recognize the utter, comprehensive moral rot of Repulicanism and their freaking champion family values role model, Comrade Casino.

Republicans = sad.

[Liberalagogo]

12. Hey! Be nice to Pence!

He lost many close friends and relatives at Bowling Green.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. They're going to lose their base if they keep this up

The base needs to believe in American exceptionalism. They might stand being roughly equal with some countries, but the Soviet Union Russia? That's just ... un-American. Trump's voters are old enough to remember the damn commies. They might accept a bit of realpolitik with the new Russia, but to be on a moral par with Putin? It was Bill O'Reilly who pointed out Putin is a 'killer', and that's how most of Trump's base think.

[TeamPooka]

16. Nope. GOP base loves Russia now. That cake is baked.

[ElementaryPenguin]

43. True dat!

[yurbud]

25. I still don't get how his antagonism toward China works with friendliness toward Russia.

Putin wants the US to have a war with China only slightly less than he wants us to have a war with Russia.

[atreides1]

26. He doesn't want a war

He wants the US to concentrate on China, so that Russia can slowly continue its move towards the borders of Western Europe!

When you think about it, it's perfect...Drumpf's base is mainly white, like the Russians that they see...the Chinese aren't and therefore his base looks upon them as being subhuman!

It's easier to dehumanize people who don't look like you!

[harun]

41. Their base thinks Oligarchy is better than Democracy. GOP never advocates for more say from

the little people.

[TeamPooka]

15. There's a special place in Hell for Pence. Right next to Trump for eternity.

[elmac]

17. tRumps wants to poison more critics then putin

so he will be morally equivalent to the putin.

[Marthe48]

18. TRAITOR

Let's get these traitors out of Washington. Go live in Russia, you commie brown-nose.

[Wuddles440]

19. Why do these people...

hate America so, but love Mother Russia?

[FairWinds]

20. OK, I'll say it . . !!

America (sic, i.e., the US of . .) is not morally superior to Russia.

Nor is America is some sense "exceptional" - giving its government license to
bully its way around the planet, blow-off international law and treaties, and
in general be a rotten neighbor.

Just ask any of the million innocent dead Iraqis, or three million dead Vietnamese,
among countless others.

Veterans For Peace

[Fast Walker 52]

36. yes, there's a case to be made for that, but it's sheer sacrilege for a politician, much less a

Republican to say that.

That's the weird thing going on here.

[FairWinds]

21. And in what Orwellian land is it acceptable . .

to coerce public officials into stating the absurd?

I don't give a rat if Pence is a GOP low-life, which he is.

It's still wrong.

[Fast Walker 52]

37. it's standard form to say America is superior, esp. for GOP, so not clear why Pence won't do that

it's damn bizarre.

[cstanleytech]

22. He knows its hard to claim the US is more moral because of how far his political party has dragged

it down to doing things that are extremely immoral like torture and breaking into the offices of other political parties.

[FairWinds]

30. Thanks for bringing up the torture issue . .

We're supposed to stand up and salute the moral excellence

of a country where unprosecuted government torturers walk the streets?

Not THIS GI !!

[bhikkhu]

23. Perhaps Pence admires Russia's anti-gay crackdown

and considers that a morally superior position? Its hard to know what else would cause him to avoid the question.

[yurbud]

24. So they don't believe in American exceptionalism anymore? Weird choice for budding fascists

[Lanius]

27. Can you imagine the reaction on the Right if Obama had equated Russia with the United States?

The right-wingers would have called for his impeachment and Fox Noise and right-wing radio would have had a meltdown.

These are the people who believe America is exceptional, a shining beacon on a hill, a country that can no wrong, and has no reason to apologize for anything. Yet their president basically said America is morally no better than a country whose leader has killed journalists, invaded neighboring countries and has committed human rights abuses. I want to see how right-wingers react to what Trump said in the Bill-O interview.

[Skittles]

29. it would have been even worse for Hillary

they hypocrisy of repukes knows no bounds

[Skittles]

28. he can't

he cannot risk Donald being exposed any more than Donald can

[workinclasszero]

32. If Comrade Trump and his lackey Pope Pence love Russia

More than the USA they need to GTFO of this country!!

I'm sure they would enjoy Russia more because they could murder their detractors like their hero Putin does!

[orangecrush]

33. And so it's settled.

Treason in the White House.

[Calista241]

38. I'll get roasted for this, but i think these are not very legit questions.

I mean, what's he supposed to say, right before trying to start a relationship with these countries? For better or worse, we have to have some sort of relationship with Russia. Yes, they fucked us and everyone knows it. But what are we supposed to do now? Go to war? Blow up their shit? Give them the Cuba blockade treatment?

Are we really expecting our Vice President or President to basically publicly insult another country on national TV the day before or the week before they begin talks with that country for whatever reason?

[harun]

42. I agree

But figured my post would be deleted if I said it.

US doesn't need to make Russia its enemy.

[SunSeeker]

45. What happened to the GOP "America First" motto?

How is stating the FACT that our government is morally superior to a dictatorship the equivalent of "blowing up their shit" or giving them the "Cuba blockade treatment"?

[dembotoz]

40. As the dipshits chant USA USA USA..The clowns they elected sold them out

Wonder if they at least got 30 pieces of silver

[SunSeeker]

44. K & R for exposure of traitorous Trump Boot-lick. nt