McCain: Morsi's power grab is "unacceptable"

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), holds a news conference on the Benghazi terrorist attack at the U.S. Capitol November 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. / Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi's power grab was harshly criticized by one U.S. lawmaker Sunday, with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., calling the move "unacceptable."

"To assume this kind of power is unacceptable," McCain said on "Fox News Sunday." He said the U.S. should "first condemn" Morsi's actions before taking any additional actions or next steps with the relatively new government.

Shortly after Morsi helped to usher in a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Morsi gave himself additional powers and diminished the role of the judiciary Thursday. His move limits the judiciary's ability to provide presidential oversight.

The U.S. should "renounce the statement and the move he just made," McCain, top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, added.

The chairman of the committee, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., suggested a softer tone. On NBC's "Meet the Press," Levin said Morsi is both a partner and a problem.

"We have to be cautious," he said, adding that President Obama should express his concerns and remind Morsi that he must respect the democratic process that elected him while protecting minorities and human rights.

In a statement, the State Department responded Friday to Morsi's order, saying, "The current constitutional vacuum in Egypt can only be resolved by the adoption of a constitution that includes checks and balances, and respects fundamental freedoms, individual rights, and the rule of law consistent with Egypt's international commitments. We call for calm and encourage all parties to work together and call for all Egyptians to resolve their differences over these important issues peacefully and through democratic dialogue."

Morsi's move has prompted violent protests in Egypt while his supporters have also taken to the streets.

He announced today he would engage "all political forces" to discuss the "temporary" declaration.

Morsi is Egypt's first democratically elected leader. He is backed by the Muslim Brotherhood which has caused angst among some in the west. Some secular Egyptian citizens point to Morsi's latest edict as further evidence that the Muslim Brotherhood is working to expand their rule.

[tepeterso]

McCain is desperate trying to keep himself relevant and in the limelight. Instead he makes a fool of himself. He should back off less he ruin hisgood reputation instead of being thought of as al old curmudgeon and crank

[DJ_32_1205]

McCain is not a fool. Give it up

[Oh-Pin-Yun]

Oh dear McCain please shut up. If you had chosen a VP smarter than hair jell we might have enjoyed 8 years of GOP White House.

[Montana5]

I know John is getting a little long in the tooth but with recent foreign policy pronouncements it sounds as if he thinks he won the 2008 election for president. John you're in Congress and that's the legislative branch of government. The executive branch to include the State Dept and the duly elected President is responsible for and will deal with issues you raise John as they get time. Now why don't you use your limitless energy to do something, anything in fact, in the Senate. Resolve the fiscal crises. Implement the new health care law. address the energy problem......anything, please would be appreciated because none of you appear to have done SQUAT in the past eight years. Frankly John you and you colleagues on both sides of he aisle have pissed away your time
and ignored all of your responsibilities to the American people. When you get that all straightened up, come by and see us and we can chat about how you might be able to help the executive branch. But let's plan to do that sometime around 2020 when you all have the fiscal crises solved. Until then, keep of us advised of your progress.

[Salero21]

Mr. McCain do yourself and the world a favor and quit your post.

Your choosing of SP as running mate, told the whole wide world everything there is to know about you. That's why among other things you lost.

[egee33]

Unfortunately most of the postings here are focused on rabidly attacking McCain than on dealing with the brazen attempt by the odious Egyptian president to make himself a dictator. Since he represents the fanatic Muslim Brotherhood, this power grab will wreak havoc not only in Egypt but throughout the Middle East. McCain was correctly condemning Morsi's repulsive act, which has already caused upheaval in Egypt itself. The ever-timid Obama administration would be wise to follow in McCain's outrage.

[RollotheNorman]

Maybe because *Sen* McCain lost the 2008 election. The most important thing he should have carried away from that is that it isn't his place to sit in his Senate office and run his mouth about foreign policy. That's the domain of the POTUS, sit down and shut the f--k up Senator!

[facelessdrone2005]

If people are attacking McCain, it's because Egypt's turmoil is none of our &#$&# business. We have no dog in the fight. Getting involved in other people's problems does precisely NOTHING for America other than making one side or the other hate us. Nobody calls Switzerland timid, do they? Yet they manage to make scads of money and nobody attacks them. Same with Sweden, Japan, Canada, and dozens of other wealthy countries that have learned to MYOB. It's high time we followed suit. If there's international consensus to intervene (as in Gulf War I), then fine, intervene. But no more cowboy diplomacy. If this is "timid" for you, then I say "GO TIMID!"

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

He said the U.S. should "first condemn" Morsi's actions...
---
One of the reasons this fool got beaten so badly in '08.
Stupid.

[inbethlehem]

Would someone remind this geriatric backbencher that he is NOT the President.

[fastdraw2]

Good grief, hardly a day goes by anymore without our hearing something else from the old fart. Next we'll be hearing about when he blows on his soup. I didn't know insecurity advanced with age.

[audemus]

Whenever a nation experiences growing pains, large amounts of chaos usually erupts. At this time in the beginning stages of something new happening in Egypt, a firm hand is required (especially in Egypt), and leaders chosen by the people must be allowed to do those ofttimes "unpleasant" things which non-the-less have to get done to ensure the process continues forward. Hopefully this is only a temporarily necessary thing, and all will settle back to "normal" when these growing pains subside....whatever the hell that is for that part of the world.

George Washington stepped down when voices were clamoring for him to become the next Emperor, or permanent leader or Head-Poom Pah or whatever...the masses certainly would not have objected had he accepted their offers, but...he served his time as President, and then voluntarily, without coercion or force of any kind, stepped aside when his time of service was through, because he did not wish to see this new nation become the very thing he'd fought against for those 6 and a half years. (Treaty of Paris was signed 1 and a half years after hostilities ended, but the actual fighting lasted 6 and a half years). As perhaps naive as it may sound to some, maybe virtue and unselfishness and far-sightedness, when it comes to the welfare of your country, is not a trait only found in George Washington some 200 years ago. We certainly shouldn't man the torpedoes every time some right-wing sabre rattler wants to make a point.

[sweetcakesmaria]

Look as if John McCain in his old senile state has appointed himself the president of the world.