McCain Opposes Haspel: It’s ‘Disqualifying’ To Not Denounce Torture

on November 14, 2017 in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.
ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) speaks after he was presented with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal during a special Twilight Tattoo performance November 14, 2017 at Fort Myer in Arli... ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) speaks after he was presented with the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal during a special Twilight Tattoo performance November 14, 2017 at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia. Sen. McCain was honored for over 63 years of dedicated service to the nation and the U.S. Navy. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on Wednesday called on his Senate colleagues to reject the nomination of Gina Haspel to lead the CIA, saying her “refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying.”

“I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country and has devoted her professional life to its service and defense,” he said in a statement released Wednesday. “However, Ms. Haspel’s role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination.” 

McCain’s dissent isn’t entirely surprising given his history as a decorated veteran who was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for five years and was tortured.

During her hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday, Haspel was peppered with questions about her role in the George W. Bush administration’s ruthless interrogation program, which used tactics like waterboarding to torture captives into submission. Haspel vowed to never employ a torture program as head of the CIA, but would not answer questions about its immorality.    

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  1. Thank you, Senator. For all of McCain’s weaknesses, and they are legion, he is head and shoulders above anyone else in his party today. (And no, I do not mean to damn with faint praise.)

  2. I wonder how many of his colleagues will listen? And what about Joe Manchin? I’ll be surprised (albeit very pleasantly) if she doesn’t get confirmed.

  3. Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying.

    Eight words.

    That’s eight too many for most Republicans.

  4. Will the moral clarity from McCain on his deathbed sway even single Republican serving with him?

    I hope the one Democrat leaning toward voting for Haspel changes his mind and points to this as the reason. I think the public understands the issue clearly.

  5. Haspel vowed to never employ a torture program as head of the CIA, but would not answer questions about its immorality.

    previously on ‘SPICY !’

    Well, I think that that kind of comes with the job, right? If you don’t believe in the president’s agenda, and I think every one of the Cabinet members, every one of the appointees understands that they serve at the pleasure of the president, we talked about this at length during the transition.

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