Sunday news shows saw a struggling presidential candidate take a shot at the current frontrunner, a former Obama administration official criticize another leading candidate, and current and former Trump administration officials discuss the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
Tim Ryan Says Biden is 'Declining,' Lacks Clarity
Struggling presidential candidate Rep. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio) is doubling down on his attack against frontrunner Joe Biden, saying the former vice president is "declining," adding that when Biden "is articulating positions, there’s a lack of clarity."
Last Thursday, Ryan told a Bloomberg reporter that he doesn't think Biden has the energy to defeat President Trump in 2020. "I don’t think he has the energy. You see it almost daily. And I love the guy," he said.
On CNN yesterday, Ryan reiterated his criticism of Biden. He said he was not backtracking from his attack, adding, "It’s unclear sometimes when he is articulating positions, there’s a lack of clarity, and I’ll leave it at that."
Biden's age is an ongoing issue for the former vice president, as he made headlines at the CNN climate town hall when his eye filled with blood while answering an audience question.
Sen. Chris Coons (D., Del.) defended Biden on CBS's Face the Nation.
Biden-backer Sen. @ChrisCoons defended Biden's energy as rival Rep. Tim Ryan continues to question the former VP's stamina. w/@margbrennan pic.twitter.com/tBXJo3Nyyt
— Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) September 8, 2019
Rahm Emanuel on Warren: Listening to Her Policy Discussion Is 'Like We're Studying for Our Midterm Exam'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBjHDZtvC3I
Former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said that there are two versions of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.): The Oklahoma version, and the policy version.
"There's two Elizabeth Warrens. Elizabeth Warren about Oklahoma is unbelievably powerful. The Elizabeth Warren about the policy is like we're studying for our midterm exam every day," he said during an appearance on ABC's This Week.
"And I think if she can do more Oklahoma as part of what her ideas are and why what motivates her for that, then she's a powerful person," he added.
Warren has garnered praise from mainstream media outlets for her quantity of policy proposals. A Washington Free Beacon analysis found that the presidential hopeful has proposed or supported plans that total $129 trillion in federal spending.
Pompeo: 'America Will Always Protect Its National Security Interests' in Middle East
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured that America will protect its national security interests in the Middle East and warned the Taliban that conditions are "about to get worse" after talks were canceled Saturday.
President Trump called off a meeting between Taliban officials, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, and United States representatives yesterday. Pompeo pointed to a car bomb attack in Kabul that killed an American soldier as the motivating factor for canceling the talks.
"Any reduction in our forces will be based on actual conditions, not commitments, actual conditions on the ground," Pompeo said during an appearance on Meet the Press.
He also mentioned that the U.S. army had killed over 1,000 members of the Taliban over the past ten days.
"While this is not a war of attrition, I want the American people to know that President Trump is taking it to the Taliban, in an effort to make sure that we protect American interests," he said.
Former Sec Def Mattis: People May Want to Declare the Afghanistan War Over, But the 'Enemy Gets a Vote'
Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis said that the war in Afghanistan will continue despite desires to declare the war over.
"The fact is we need to maintain an influence there until the government of Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan are strong enough to deny Afghanistan is a safe haven," he told Margaret Brennan on CBS's Face the Nation.
He stressed the need to "trust but verify" in negotiations with the Taliban, and praised Pompeo for being willing to walk away.
"The point is that you may want a war over. You may even declare a war over, but the enemy gets a vote, a fact brought home to me repeatedly over my 40 years of service," he added.