Tonight is the first-ever “Commander in Chief Forum,” a chance for the presidential candidates to show off their knowledge of things military:
During this one-hour forum, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be on stage back-to-back taking questions on national security, military affairs and veterans issues from NBC News and an audience comprised mainly of military veterans and active service members.
You can watch on television on MSNBC and probably on NBC (depending on your television market). It will stream live at MSNBC.
Daily Kos is liveblogging the proceedings, and it is Donald Trump’s turn to show what he (doesn’t) know.
"If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Putin.
I haven’t done the interruption count, but Lauer’s running at least six interruptions behind with Trump than with Clinton.
Russia doesn't give a #$%k about defeating ISIS. They care about keeping their only puppet in the Middle East in place.
And now we’re watching Trump talk about Putin’s approval rating and comparing him favorably to President Obama.
Actual quote about Putin: "If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him." Putin.
The worst part is, this isnâÂÂt the first time Donald Trump has praised Russia and Putin. #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/N6ySNILYMx— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 8, 2016
The worst part is, this isnâÂÂt the first time Donald Trump has praised Russia and Putin. #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/N6ySNILYMx
It is amazing. Lauer interrupted Clinton's answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump. Tough to be a woman running for President— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) September 8, 2016
It is amazing. Lauer interrupted Clinton's answers repeatedly to move on. Not once for Trump. Tough to be a woman running for President
He has too much respect for the VA to privatize it -- though it's a corrupt enterprise that's killing people.
I used to like the word "tremendous.” The Trumpanzee has wrecked that.
There are two men on that stage dangerously unqualified for the job they imagine themselves having.— Andy Barr (@bustipsover) September 8, 2016
There are two men on that stage dangerously unqualified for the job they imagine themselves having.
Maybe Trump can promise to appoint Roger Ailes secretary of stopping sexual assault in the military?
Has Lauer interrupted Trump’s pointless rambling after cutting off every answer that Hillary Clinton gave?
He’s a busy man. He doesn’t have to learn, but he’s meeting constantly with his generals. The admirals. Maybe the ones he’ll fire. Maybe not. But he’s got common sense, so all this studying stuff. Meh.
Lauer asks a narcissist if he’ll be prepared on day one. Um, what answer did he expect?
From WSJ:
The majority of veterans who kill themselves aren’t from the most recent generation of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, according to the report. Among veterans, 65% who commit suicide are at least 50 years old. The data from the VA, which will be refined into a final report later this month, shows that veterans who have signed up for VA benefits have drastically lower suicide rates than veterans who don’t use the VA. Some 75% of vet suicides are among those who don’t use the department’s services.
The majority of veterans who kill themselves aren’t from the most recent generation of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, according to the report. Among veterans, 65% who commit suicide are at least 50 years old.
The data from the VA, which will be refined into a final report later this month, shows that veterans who have signed up for VA benefits have drastically lower suicide rates than veterans who don’t use the VA. Some 75% of vet suicides are among those who don’t use the department’s services.
Lauer asks what preparation Trump is doing to be president—why not ask, “What paper do you read?” “What did you eat this morning?” “Did you tie your own shoes this morning?”
This is a half hour of our lives that we’ll never get back, which Matt Lauer made even worse than you thought it would be.
Trump won’t be ready on Day One. He’ll still be supervising the placement of gold leaf in the Oval Office on Day 30.
But we learned that Hillary Clinton has “a happy trigger.” And that makes it all worth it.
It was cool when Lauer asked Trump about his attacks on the Khan family OH WAIT— Julie Alderman (@juliealderman_) September 8, 2016
It was cool when Lauer asked Trump about his attacks on the Khan family OH WAIT
We’ll have plenty of chances coming up to watch for this pattern:
#NBCNewsForum How Trump answers in 3 steps: 1. repeat the problem, 2. criticize someone, 3. state no plan.— Lauren Victoria (@LVBurke) September 8, 2016
#NBCNewsForum How Trump answers in 3 steps: 1. repeat the problem, 2. criticize someone, 3. state no plan.