Whoopi Goldbergwants to make sure everyone’s voice gets heard onThe View.
As the discussion shifted to Fox News’ Laura Ingraham calling Vindman’s loyalty into question on her show, and whether her attempt to damage his credibility could work, co-hostMeghan McCainpassionately argued that “any veteran deserves our respect.”
“We saw it with Tulsi Gabbard last week, withHillary Clintoncalling her into question for this exact same thing, saying she was a Russian asset,” McCain said. “This language is like McCarthyism. So if you have a problem with what Laura Ingraham did to Mr. Vindman —”
Co-hostJoy Beharinterrupted to defend Clinton, saying, “She didn’t say [Gabbard] was an asset.”
“Excuse me, I’m not finished,” McCain said.
“I know you’re not, but I have to correct you,” Behar replied.
“If you are questioning Tulsi Gabbard and you are questioning Mr. Vindman right now, I don’t understand where we come into place, where we can question people who have sacrificed and served in war, right now, in the American dialogue,” McCain continued. “I don’t like it when Laura Ingraham did it last night, I don’t like it when Hillary Clinton does it to Tulsi Gabbard. I think it sets a very, very bizarre precedent.”
McCain, who is the daughter of the lateSenator John McCain, himself a war hero, insisted that we “should not be questioning” the loyalty of “soldiers who have fought and sacrificed and served for this country.”
“People who put their life on the line for America and freedom, their loyalty to America should not be questioned,” she said. “And I’m not going to sit here and do it.”
When Behar argued that “just because somebody served does not ipso facto make them above reproach,” McCain fired back, “For me and where I come from, it does.”
“If you are putting your life on the line for freedom, yes,” she said. “Soldiers in this country and veterans and people who have lived and fought for freedom get a pass from me.”
Then moderator Goldberg interrupted, asking everyone to “just take a breath.”
“Everybody has something to say at the table, we really do want to hear from everybody, but we’re starting to do that thing,” she warned.
“I don’t know what that means, ‘that thing,'” McCain said.
“It means you’re talking over each other,” Goldberg explained.
“Well, it’sThe View,” McCain argued.
“It isThe View. You know what, let me tell you something aboutThe View,” Goldberg said. “This show has always had the ability to have different points of view, which we respect around the table. And when we talk to each other, we also exhibit respect. So when I’m saying to you, ‘Hold up, because we’re not hearing each other,’ I’m not trying to cut you off — I’m trying to get you heard.”
Prince Williams/Wireimage; Tasos Katopodis/Getty
Though McCain again tried to interrupt, Goldberg cut to commercial. After they returned from break, McCain detailed how her personal history has shaped her view on the subject.
“My brother deployed when I was 19 to Iraq and he was 17,” she said. “My parents had to sign a slip for him to go early and for me, the freedoms that we take advantage of and take for granted here … I will always give the benefit of doubt to the veteran, and maybe that’s just a cultural difference between you and me.”
The panel seemed largely to agree with her point, and the discussion moved on.
McCain, whojoinedThe Viewas a permanent co-hostin October 2017, has been open about the challenges of being the most politically conservative person on the panel. During an appearance onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenlast month, she addressed her often-combative stance on the show, admitting that she does feel insecure in her gig.
“I go inassuming I’m going to be firedevery day,” she said. “Every single day. Yes, every day.”
As tough as it can be, McCain said she gets along well with all of herco-hosts, even Behar.
“I think everyone in America is having a really hard time expressing their view. But vibe-wise, I’m actually more comfortable with the main five hosts that I work with every day than I was with last year,” she said.
“Joy and I are pretty good,” she added. “We can both let it roll off pretty quick because I think she gets that we’re good sparring partners.”
The Viewairs weekdays (11 a.m. ET) on ABC.
source: people.com
