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| Obama speaks after meeting Orlando attack survivors: 'There is love' – politics live | Obama speaks after meeting Orlando attack survivors: 'There is love' – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.48pm BST | |
| 23:48 | |
| Hillary Clinton 'horrified' by assassination of Jo Cox | |
| Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton issued a statement this evening offering condolences to the family and constituents of British Labour MP Jo Cox, who was assassinated this morning in the first killing of a British politician in a quarter-century. | |
| “I am horrified by the assassination of British MP Jo Cox, murdered earlier today in her district in Northern England,” Clinton stated. “By all accounts, she was a rising star. Her maiden speech in Parliament celebrated the diversity of her beloved Yorkshire constituency, and passionately made the case that there is more that unites us than divides us. It is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short by a violent act of political intolerance.” | |
| Clinton called for the citizens of the US and Britain, “two of the world’s oldest and greatest democracies,” to “stand together against hatred and violence.” | |
| “This is how we must honor Jo Cox - by rejecting bigotry in all its forms, and instead embracing, as she always did, everything that binds us together,” Clinton concluded. “My thoughts and prayers are with her friends, her family, and the British people.” | |
| 11.43pm BST | |
| 23:43 | |
| Donald Trump is set to speak in 18 minutes. | |
| Trump supporters armed & ready 4 protesters say they will only jump in if clashes w/ supporters -mentioned San Jose pic.twitter.com/JpNJPAk2si | |
| 10.45pm BST | 10.45pm BST |
| 22:45 | 22:45 |
| Housing and urban development secretary and former San Antonio mayor Julián Castro has released a statement in response to anticipated visits to the Lone Star State this weekend by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, criticizing the candidate as someone “who treats Latinos like second-class citizens.” | Housing and urban development secretary and former San Antonio mayor Julián Castro has released a statement in response to anticipated visits to the Lone Star State this weekend by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, criticizing the candidate as someone “who treats Latinos like second-class citizens.” |
| “Donald Trump’s message to the Latino community is clear: You are not American,” stated Castro, rumored to be in the running as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. | “Donald Trump’s message to the Latino community is clear: You are not American,” stated Castro, rumored to be in the running as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. |
| “In Trump’s America, Latinos wouldn’t be welcome, our LGBT brothers and sisters wouldn’t be able to marry who they love, and Americans would be discriminated against because of their religion,” Castro continued. “In a time where the Latino community is under attack, we need a leader who will be a partner, not someone who treats Latinos like second class citizens. We need a leader who will break down barriers for us, not build a wall. We need a leader who will strive for inclusion, not division.” | “In Trump’s America, Latinos wouldn’t be welcome, our LGBT brothers and sisters wouldn’t be able to marry who they love, and Americans would be discriminated against because of their religion,” Castro continued. “In a time where the Latino community is under attack, we need a leader who will be a partner, not someone who treats Latinos like second class citizens. We need a leader who will break down barriers for us, not build a wall. We need a leader who will strive for inclusion, not division.” |
| “For this and so many other reasons, Donald Trump has proven once again that he’s not qualified and he’s temperamentally unfit to be President,” Castro concluded. “As Trump visits Texas over the next few days, let it be clear that his hateful rhetoric is not welcome in our community. Let it be clear that we will raise our voices against him in November.” | “For this and so many other reasons, Donald Trump has proven once again that he’s not qualified and he’s temperamentally unfit to be President,” Castro concluded. “As Trump visits Texas over the next few days, let it be clear that his hateful rhetoric is not welcome in our community. Let it be clear that we will raise our voices against him in November.” |
| 10.30pm BST | 10.30pm BST |
| 22:30 | 22:30 |
| Sam Thielman | Sam Thielman |
| As the 2016 election campaign turns ever more vicious, Donald Trump is reportedly longing to return to the less competitive world of TV – even to the point of starting his own cable news network according to Vanity Fair. But people familiar with the barest fundamentals of the TV economy call the idea laughably absurd. | As the 2016 election campaign turns ever more vicious, Donald Trump is reportedly longing to return to the less competitive world of TV – even to the point of starting his own cable news network according to Vanity Fair. But people familiar with the barest fundamentals of the TV economy call the idea laughably absurd. |
| The cable TV industry is in crisis as a generation of viewers “cut the cord”ditching high-priced subscriptions for TV over the internet. News that Trump is exploring a “mini-media conglomerate” based on a cable network struck media investor and adviser Bruce Tuchman as ridiculous. “I understand that he says he’s a great businessman but smart money isn’t going into linear cable anymore,” said Tuchman, calling the idea “very amusing to say the least”. | The cable TV industry is in crisis as a generation of viewers “cut the cord”ditching high-priced subscriptions for TV over the internet. News that Trump is exploring a “mini-media conglomerate” based on a cable network struck media investor and adviser Bruce Tuchman as ridiculous. “I understand that he says he’s a great businessman but smart money isn’t going into linear cable anymore,” said Tuchman, calling the idea “very amusing to say the least”. |
| Tuchman has worked for cable television networks and conglomerates in many capacities across the world over three decades, at companies from Viacom to MGM to AMC Global, where he was president. | Tuchman has worked for cable television networks and conglomerates in many capacities across the world over three decades, at companies from Viacom to MGM to AMC Global, where he was president. |
| “For a guy who’s a master at Twitter, I’m kind of astonished that he’s not at the level of understanding that capital in media today is running toward digital and apps,” he said. | “For a guy who’s a master at Twitter, I’m kind of astonished that he’s not at the level of understanding that capital in media today is running toward digital and apps,” he said. |
| Trump’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks has denied the story: “While it’s true Mr Trump garners exceptionally high ratings, there are absolutely no plans or discussions taking place regarding a venture of this nature.” | Trump’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks has denied the story: “While it’s true Mr Trump garners exceptionally high ratings, there are absolutely no plans or discussions taking place regarding a venture of this nature.” |
| Her boss is more unreadable: “The press is so totally biased that we have no choice but to take our tough but fair and smart message directly to the people!” he tweeted shortly after Hicks gave her response to Vanity Fair. | Her boss is more unreadable: “The press is so totally biased that we have no choice but to take our tough but fair and smart message directly to the people!” he tweeted shortly after Hicks gave her response to Vanity Fair. |
| Related: Donald Trump news network? Camp denies rumors and industry is aghast | Related: Donald Trump news network? Camp denies rumors and industry is aghast |
| 10.06pm BST | 10.06pm BST |
| 22:06 | 22:06 |
| President Barack Obama: 'This was an attack on the LGBT community' | 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. | 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.” | “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.” | 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.” | “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.” | “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.” | “There’s only us - Americans.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.28pm BST | at 10.28pm BST |
| 10.02pm BST | 10.02pm BST |
| 22:02 | 22:02 |
| President Barack Obama continues speaking in Orlando: | 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.” | “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.” | “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.” | “And if we don’t act, we will keep seeing more massacres like this, because we’ll alloow them to happen.” |
| 9.57pm BST | 9.57pm BST |
| 21:57 | 21:57 |
| President Barack Obama continues speaking in Orlando: | 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.” | “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.” | “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.” | “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 | 9.55pm BST |
| 21:55 | 21:55 |
| Barack Obama delivers remarks after meeting Orlando shooting survivors | 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. | 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.” | “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.” | “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. | “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.” | “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.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.01pm BST | at 10.01pm BST |
| 9.35pm BST | 9.35pm BST |
| 21:35 | 21:35 |
| Another Donald Trump supporter is hesitating to, well, support Donald Trump: | 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." | 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 BST | 9.29pm BST |
| 21:29 | 21:29 |
| 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 BST | 9.14pm BST |
| 21:14 | 21:14 |
| 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/hjh5ry2r3B | John McCain: Obama is ‘directly responsible’ for Orlando attack - The Washington Post https://t.co/hjh5ry2r3B |
| 9.03pm BST | 9.03pm BST |
| 21:03 | 21:03 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.07pm BST | at 9.07pm BST |
| 8.57pm BST | 8.57pm BST |
| 20:57 | 20:57 |
| 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 BST | 8.49pm BST |
| 20:49 | 20:49 |
| Sabrina Siddiqui | Sabrina 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.51pm BST | at 8.51pm BST |
| 8.43pm BST | 8.43pm BST |
| 20:43 | 20:43 |
| 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 himself | To clarify, I was referring to Pres Obama’s national security decisions that have led to rise of #ISIL, not to the President himself |