Fuck. You.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin's (D-Wis.) Republican midterm challenger slammed the senator for staying silent on CIA director nominee Gina Haspel's confirmation process on Wednesday, saying in a press release that Baldwin was on "Team Terrorist."
The press release from Republican Senate hopeful Leah Vukmir included a graphic with Vukmir and Haspel, with the caption "Team America," while Baldwin's picture appears alongside a picture of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Haspel has been criticized by Democrats and even some Republicans for her role in a CIA black site, as well as her role in the destruction of tapes showing a terrorism suspect being waterboarded.
"After Sen. Baldwin's outrageous support of the Iran deal, it's no surprise that she would rather give the man behind the 9/11 attacks and other terrorists hugs and safe spaces than take adequate action to protect America and confirm Gina Haspel quickly," Vukmir's campaign said. "This is a dangerous time for America, and our CIA director should be willing to do what it takes to protect our nation, our citizens and our freedoms."
Here’s some more info:
Some Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have said they will not vote for Haspel, in keeping with the general post-Bush administration consensus on Capitol Hill against using torture. Most Democrats are expected to eventually vote against her. Baldwin is among the senators who hasn’t publicly taken a position. Her office did not immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment on how she will vote.
Trump, who has spoken approvingly of waterboarding and other torture tactics, has loudly supported Haspel. The day before her hearing, he tweeted, “Gina Haspel, my highly respected nominee to lead the CIA, is being praised for the fact that she has been, and alway will be, TOUGH ON TERROR!”
Subjecting captured terrorist suspects like Muhammed to torture and imprisonment outside the regular U.S. justice system at Guantanamo Bay has prevented the U.S. from successfully convicting them. Most terrorism analysts say the tough tactics actually make counterterrorism work more difficult ― by complicating prosecution, prompting false statements and making U.S. partners abroad less likely to hand suspects over.
An establishment favorite, Vukmir is one of two high-profile candidates seeking to win the GOP nomination to run against Baldwin in an Aug. 14 primary. Her attack comes before a Republican party convention in Milwaukee planned for this weekend.
Baldwin is not taking this attack lightly. Received this e-mail today from Baldwin’s re-election campaign:
One of Tammy's opponents just attacked her — calling her a "terrorist."
Yes, you read that right — this is absolutely ridiculous.
We'd rather not spend time talking about gutter politics, but this latest attempt to go after Tammy is a whole new low. Even right wing pundits are distancing themselves.
Take a stand right now. Help Tammy fight the absurd smears and lies coming from the other side. Give $10 or more.
People are hungry for a different kind of politics — so we're not going to get down in the gutter with our opponent. This country deserves a Senator who is focused on bridging the divide and bringing people together on the issues that matter most.
That person is, and has consistently been, Tammy.
Republicans and their special interest allies have decided on the tone they want to take in the coming months — but this campaign will keep doing what we've been doing from the start by building a grassroots movement full of folks who believe in a different kind of politics.
If you're with Tammy, she needs to know you have her back right now. Make a contribution today.
Don't brush this off.
Team Baldwin
Click here to donate to Baldwin’s re-election campaign.