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McCain: Obama 'directly responsible' for Orlando attack – campaign live Obama speaks after meeting Orlando attack survivors: 'There is love' – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.06pm BST
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President Barack Obama: 'This was an attack on the LGBT community'
Speaking in Orlando, President Barack Obama calls the mass shooting at a gay nightclub on Sunday that killed 49 people “an attack on the LGBT community” and urges for “dignity” for LGBT people around the world.
“The Pulse nightclub has always been a safe haven - a place to sing and dance and, most importantly, to be who you truly are,” Obama says, “including for so many people whose families are originally from Puerto Rico. Sunday morning, that sanctuary was violated in the worst way possible.”
Whatever his motives, Obama says of the shooter, “it was also an act of hate. This was an attack on the LGBT community. Americans were targeted because we’re a country that has learned to welcome everyone ... Hatred toward people because of their sexual orientation, regardless of where it comes from, is a betrayal of what’s best in us.”
“You can’t break up the world into ‘us’ and ‘them,’ and denigrate and express hatred towards groups because of the color of their skin or their faith or their sexual orientation, and not feed something very dangerous in this world,” Obama says. “So if there was ever a moment for all of us to reflect and reaffirm our most basic beliefs - that everybody counts and everyone has dignity - now is the time.”
“We have to end discrimination and violence against our brothers and sisters who are in the LGBT community, here at home and around the world,” Obama says, “especially in countries where they are routinely prosecuted.”
“There’s only us - Americans.”
10.02pm BST
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President Barack Obama continues speaking in Orlando:
“I truly hope that senators rise to the moment and do the right thing,” Obama says, to “help [end] the plague of violence that these weapons of war inflict on so many young lives.”
“We will not be able to stop every tragedy,” he continues. “We can’t wipe away evil and hatred from every heart in this world. But we can stop some tragedies; we can save some lives. We can reduce the impact of a terrorist attack if we’re smart.”
“And if we don’t act, we will keep seeing more massacres like this, because we’ll alloow them to happen.”
9.57pm BST
21:57
President Barack Obama continues speaking in Orlando:
“If, in fact, we want show the best of our humanity, we’re all gonna have to work together in every level of government across political lines to do more to stop killers who want to terrorize us. We will continue to be relentless against terrorist groups like Isil and AQAl-Qaida We are going to destroy them, we are going to disrupt their networks and their financing, and the flow of fighters in and our of war theaters. We are going to disrupt their propaganda that poisonous so many minds around the world. We’re gonna do all that. Our resolve is clear.”
“The last two terrorist attacks on our soil - Orlando and San Bernardino - were homegrown, carried out, it appears, not by external plotters, not by vast networks or sophisticated cells, but by deranged individuals warped by the hateful propaganda that they had seen over the Internet, then we’re going to have to do more to prevent these kinds of events from occurring.”
“As good as they are, as dedicated as they are as focused as they are, if you have lone wolf attacks like this, hatched in the minds of a disturbed person, then we’re gonna have to take different kinds of steps in order to prevent something like this from happening.”
9.55pm BST
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Barack Obama delivers remarks after meeting Orlando shooting survivors
President Barack Obama, speaking in Orlando, Florida, commends the “outstanding police and first responders” at a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in the city that killed 49 and left 53 hospitalized.
“Four days ago, this community was shaken by an evil and hateful act,” Obama says. “Today, we are reminded of what is good. That there is compassion and empathy and decency, and most of all, there is love. That’s the orlando that we’ve seen in recent days, and that’s the America that we have seen.”
“Through their pain and through their tears, they told us about the joy that their loved ones had brought to their lives,” Obama continues. “So many young people in their twenties and thirties. So many students who were focused on the future. One young woman was just 18 years old. Another said her father was a happy guy with so many dreams. There were siblings there talking about their brothers and their sisters and how they were role models that they looked up to. There were husbands and wives who had taken a solemn vow. Fathers and mothers who gave their full heart to their children.”
“These families could be our families. In fact, they are our family. They’re part of the American family,” Obama says.
“Our hearts are broken too, and that we stand with you, and that we are here for you, and that we are remembering those you you loved so deeply,” Obama says. “As a nation, we’ve also been inspired by the courage of those who risked their lives and cared for others: partners whose last moments were spent shielding each other; the mother who gave her life to save her son; the former Marine whose quick thinking saved dozens of lives.”
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9.35pm BST
21:35
Another Donald Trump supporter is hesitating to, well, support Donald Trump:
Trump backer Rep Hunter (R-CA) telling a gaggle of reporters on Hill he's not going 2 answer 4 everything Trump says. "I'm not a surrogate."
9.29pm BST9.29pm BST
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Ann Kirkpatrick, the Arizona congresswoman running against John McCain for his seat in the Senate, has released a statement in response McCain’s assertion that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead:Ann Kirkpatrick, the Arizona congresswoman running against John McCain for his seat in the Senate, has released a statement in response McCain’s assertion that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead:
“Elected leaders have a moral duty to work together to root out terrorism and keep Americans safe,” Kirkpatrick, a three-term Democrat, said. “But today, we saw John McCain cross a dangerous line in comments that undermine our Commander in Chief on national security issues - at the very moment the president was in Orlando to comfort victims’ families.”“Elected leaders have a moral duty to work together to root out terrorism and keep Americans safe,” Kirkpatrick, a three-term Democrat, said. “But today, we saw John McCain cross a dangerous line in comments that undermine our Commander in Chief on national security issues - at the very moment the president was in Orlando to comfort victims’ families.”
“It’s difficult to imagine the old John McCain being this reckless with something so serious,” Kirkpatrick concluded. “John McCain has changed after 33 years in Washington.”“It’s difficult to imagine the old John McCain being this reckless with something so serious,” Kirkpatrick concluded. “John McCain has changed after 33 years in Washington.”
9.14pm BST9.14pm BST
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John McCain may have “misspoke” when he said that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead, but at least some members of the Republican party are embracing his comments - including Donald Trump’s campaign manager:John McCain may have “misspoke” when he said that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead, but at least some members of the Republican party are embracing his comments - including Donald Trump’s campaign manager:
John McCain: Obama is ‘directly responsible’ for Orlando attack - The Washington Post https://t.co/hjh5ry2r3BJohn McCain: Obama is ‘directly responsible’ for Orlando attack - The Washington Post https://t.co/hjh5ry2r3B
9.03pm BST9.03pm BST
21:0321:03
Senator John McCain: 'I misspoke'Senator John McCain: 'I misspoke'
Arizona senator John McCain’s office has released a statement - or, as it was spelled in the haste of its release, “statemeny” - by the senator, in which he says that he “misspoke” when he said that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead.Arizona senator John McCain’s office has released a statement - or, as it was spelled in the haste of its release, “statemeny” - by the senator, in which he says that he “misspoke” when he said that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead.
“I misspoke,” McCain said in the statement. “I did not mean to imply that the President was personally responsible. I was referring to President Obama’s national security decisions, not the President himself. As I have said, President Obama’s decision to completely withdraw US troops from Iraq in 2011 led to the rise of Isil.”“I misspoke,” McCain said in the statement. “I did not mean to imply that the President was personally responsible. I was referring to President Obama’s national security decisions, not the President himself. As I have said, President Obama’s decision to completely withdraw US troops from Iraq in 2011 led to the rise of Isil.”
“I and others have long warned that the failure of the President’s policy to deny Isil safe haven would allow the terrorist organization to inspire, plan, direct or conduct attacks on the United States and Europe as they have done in Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino and now Orlando,” McCain concluded.“I and others have long warned that the failure of the President’s policy to deny Isil safe haven would allow the terrorist organization to inspire, plan, direct or conduct attacks on the United States and Europe as they have done in Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino and now Orlando,” McCain concluded.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.07pm BSTat 9.07pm BST
8.57pm BST8.57pm BST
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Arizona senator John McCain may have clarified his comments earlier today, but the full transcript of his declaration that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead doesn’t leave much room for ambiguity:Arizona senator John McCain may have clarified his comments earlier today, but the full transcript of his declaration that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead doesn’t leave much room for ambiguity:
“Barack Obama is directly responsible for it, because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, Al-Qaida went to Syria and became Isis and Isis is what it is today thanks to Barack Obama’s failures, utter failures by pulling everybody out of Iraq thinking that conflicts end just because we leave,” McCain said. “So the responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies.”“Barack Obama is directly responsible for it, because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, Al-Qaida went to Syria and became Isis and Isis is what it is today thanks to Barack Obama’s failures, utter failures by pulling everybody out of Iraq thinking that conflicts end just because we leave,” McCain said. “So the responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies.”
“How do you say he’s directly responsible?” a reporter followed up.“How do you say he’s directly responsible?” a reporter followed up.
“Directly responsible because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that Isis would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America, it’s a matter of record,” McCain concluded. “So he is directly responsible.”“Directly responsible because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that Isis would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America, it’s a matter of record,” McCain concluded. “So he is directly responsible.”
8.49pm BST8.49pm BST
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Sabrina SiddiquiSabrina Siddiqui
The office of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid was quick to link McCain’s comments to the bluster of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who earlier this week suggested Obama was complicit with terrorists.The office of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid was quick to link McCain’s comments to the bluster of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who earlier this week suggested Obama was complicit with terrorists.
“Senator McCain’s unhinged comments are just the latest proof that Senate Republicans are puppets of Donald Trump,” Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said. “There is no daylight between Senate Republicans and Donald Trump.”“Senator McCain’s unhinged comments are just the latest proof that Senate Republicans are puppets of Donald Trump,” Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson said. “There is no daylight between Senate Republicans and Donald Trump.”
McCain blamed Obama for the attack when reporters on Capitol Hill asked the senator about the renewed debate over gun control in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting.McCain blamed Obama for the attack when reporters on Capitol Hill asked the senator about the renewed debate over gun control in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting.
“Barack Obama is directly responsible for it, because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, al-Qaeda went to Syria, became ISIS, and ISIS is what it is today thanks to Barack Obama’s failures,” McCain said.“Barack Obama is directly responsible for it, because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, al-Qaeda went to Syria, became ISIS, and ISIS is what it is today thanks to Barack Obama’s failures,” McCain said.
The senator, who is facing a tough re-election battle in Arizona, pointed to what he said was the early withdrawal of US troops from Iraq to back up his claim.The senator, who is facing a tough re-election battle in Arizona, pointed to what he said was the early withdrawal of US troops from Iraq to back up his claim.
“[Obama] pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked, and there would be attacks on the United States of America,” McCain said.“[Obama] pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked, and there would be attacks on the United States of America,” McCain said.
“It’s a matter of record, so he is directly responsible,” McCain continued. “The responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies.”“It’s a matter of record, so he is directly responsible,” McCain continued. “The responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies.”
McCain has long been critical of Obama’s handling of foreign policy, often accusing the president of “leading from behind” with respect to Iraq and the Syrian civil war. His response was nonetheless peculiar within the context of gun policy, as McCain voted with Democrats to expand background checks after the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in 2012 and recast the same vote in December when the measure came up once more following the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.McCain has long been critical of Obama’s handling of foreign policy, often accusing the president of “leading from behind” with respect to Iraq and the Syrian civil war. His response was nonetheless peculiar within the context of gun policy, as McCain voted with Democrats to expand background checks after the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre in 2012 and recast the same vote in December when the measure came up once more following the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.
Jeff Flake, the junior senator from Arizona, opted for a more measured tone when asked approach in the Senate hallway for his reaction to McCain’s comments about Obama.Jeff Flake, the junior senator from Arizona, opted for a more measured tone when asked approach in the Senate hallway for his reaction to McCain’s comments about Obama.
“I don’t want to go there,” Flake said.“I don’t want to go there,” Flake said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.51pm BSTat 8.51pm BST
8.43pm BST8.43pm BST
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Arizona senator John McCain has tweeted a clarification of his comments made earlier this afternoon:Arizona senator John McCain has tweeted a clarification of his comments made earlier this afternoon:
To clarify, I was referring to Pres Obama’s national security decisions that have led to rise of #ISIL, not to the President himselfTo clarify, I was referring to Pres Obama’s national security decisions that have led to rise of #ISIL, not to the President himself
8.43pm BST
20:43
Senate minority leader Harry Reid’s office has responded to Arizona senator John McCain’s accusation that President Barack Obama is “directly responsible” for a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, this weekend that killed 49 people, calling the senator’s statement “unhinged.”
“McCain’s unhinged comments are just the latest proof Senate Republicans are puppets of Donald Trump,” a Reid spokesperson told the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui.
8.40pm BST
20:40
Sabrina Siddiqui
Republicans have signaled that they will not compromise on gun control measures, reports the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui, despite a nearly 15-hour filibuster by Senate Democrats protesting congressional inaction on the issue.
A group of Democrats, flanked by family members of gun violence victims, were at times brought to tears during a press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday following the murder of 49 people in a gay club in Orlando at the weekend as they inveighed against an epidemic that kills an average of 90 Americans each day and vowed to force Republicans on the record on the issue.
“How on Earth in the face of the largest mass shooting in the history of this nation could the United States Senate ignore it in the week following?” asked Chris Murphy, the Connecticut senator who led a talking filibuster that began Wednesday morning and did not end until the early hours of Thursday.
“My legs are a little bit rubbery, but my heart is strong,” he added.
Murphy, along with 39 of his colleagues, took control of the Senate floor during a debate over an unrelated spending bill as lawmakers returned to business in the wake of the terrorist attack in Florida. The issue has been especially personal to Murphy, who emerged as a leading advocate of reducing gun violence after a gunman in his home state of Connecticut killed 20 children and six educators in the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school tragedy.
Democrats were able to secure a vote on two proposals – one to implement universal background checks and another that would bar suspected terrorists on the FBI watch list from purchasing firearms.
But the Republicans who control the Senate said they would offer their own competing measures, meaning any vote would likely be split along party lines and thus ultimately fail.
Related: Gun control vote in Senate unlikely to produce Republican compromise
8.32pm BST
20:32
Gabrielle Giffords: Shooting of MP Jo Cox 'a manifestation of a coarseness in our politics'
Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, herself a survivor of a 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, that left six people dead, has issued a statement in response to the assassination of West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox:
I don’t remember the constituent meeting where I was shot in the head and nearly lost my life, but the scores of such events I and so many others have hosted represent the importance of a democracy connected to its citizens. Just like the January 8, 2011 did not deter America from its founding ideals, the British principle of pluralism and the nation’s democratic institutions will endure.
However, the assassination of MP Jo Cox at the hands of a man driven by hatred is a manifestation of a coarseness in our politics and hatred toward the other that we must not tolerate. Not in the United States, not in Europe, not in Latin America, not in Asia, and not in Africa. MP Cox was courageous, young, and a hardworking public servant. She was a rising star, a mother, and a wife. Mark and I grieve for her family, friends, constituents, and for the people of Great Britain.
8.14pm BST
20:14
McCain declares Obama 'directly responsible' for Orlando attack
Senator John McCain declared President Obama “directly responsible” for the shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people because, says McCain, ISIS grew in power under Obama’s watch.
When asked to clarify his comments, the senator from Arizona said that Obama’s withdrawal of troops in Iraq and the US’s response to Syria impacted the rise of ISIS. Although Orlando terrorist Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS in a 911 phone call during the attack, his links to the organization and personal politics are not yet known.
McCain’s claim that Obama is “directly responsible” came in the same week that Donald Trump attempted to insinuate the president had some connection to the attacks.
McCain, who lost to Obama in 2008, spoke to reporters in DC at the same time that Obama is in Orlando meeting with victims, first responders and the families of victims of Saturday night’s terror attack in the Pulse nightclub against a mainly LGBTQ Hispanic crowd.
From Washington Post reporter Michael Debonis:
To be clear, arguing Obama is indirectly responsible for fomenting radicalism is one thing. Accusing him of 'direct' responsibility another.
7.58pm BST
19:58
The chairman of the Republican National Convention is busy claiming that he and the presumptive Republican nominee are just fine, no problems here, everything is just smooth sailing.
Flying to Dallas now with @realDonaldTrump...Reports of discord are pure fiction. Great events lined up all over Texas. Rs will win in Nov!
7.56pm BST
19:56
OECD head dimisses Trump comments as racist
The Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and former foreign minister of Mexico, Angel Gurria, said Donald Trump is a racist.
When asked on Al Jazeera English’s Upfront about Trump’s comments regarding Judge Curiel, who is of Mexican descent, Gurria replied:
I would tend to agree with those who say that this is not only misinformed, but yes, I think the word racist can be applied.
“I am the secretary general of the OECD and as such I have to remain neutral... But first and foremost I am a Mexican and I obviously resent very much these kinds of statements,” said Gurria.
The economist also dismissed Trump’s plan to build a wall between the USA and Mexico and demand the southern neighbor pay for it.
“It’s not going to happen. Period,” said Gurria. “I would not even like to entertain the notion that we should or should not pay for this rather crazy idea.”
7.47pm BST
19:47
The Senate will vote next week on several gun control proposals that have emerged with added desperation after the Orlando shooting. The nearly 15-hour filibuster by Democrat Senators on gun control last night ended when the GOP agreed to hear and vote on proposals over background checks and whether those on terror watch lists should have access the guns and while it was thought that might happen today or tomorrow, the votes will happen on Monday.
7.21pm BST
19:21
Update from Orlando:
.@POTUS and @VP have arrived at the Orlando Amway Center in downtown for their meetings with victims families, survivors, first responders.
WH says @POTUS and @VP met first with local law enforcement to offer thanks for their response to the attack at the Pulse Nightclub.
7.05pm BST
19:05
Obama is greeting local politicians - Florida governor Rick Scott, the local mayor of Orlando Buddy Dyer, Senator Marco Rubio - in a very non-partisan moment. All now hopping in cars and heading off to meet families.
It seems the president is behind schedule, so may not be addressing the public until later.
7.00pm BST
19:00
It’s nearly time for Obama to address the public in Orlando. This will be the sixth time this year that Obama has made a speech to the nation after a mass shooting, according to WFTV, an Orlando local channel.
Vice-president Joe Biden is here, hugging local politicians.
The stairs have just been put up to Airforce One, waiting for Obama to disembark. He’s just coming down.
Updated
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