“Knuckle-Dragging Hawkishness”: Matt Duss on GOP Presidential Primary Debate, Israel, Gaza & More

We speak with analyst Matt Duss, former foreign policy adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders, about the U.S. political response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. The third Republican presidential debate on Wednesday saw candidates pledge unwavering support for Israel with “rhetoric that was frankly barbaric,” according to Duss. “This is just knuckle-dragging hawkishness to feed their base,” says Duss, who comments on Congress censuring Palestinian American Rashida Tlaib, Bernie Sanders’s stance on a ceasefire, and the parallels between Ukraine and Palestine. “As a Ukrainian American, I also stand in solidarity with people under occupation.”

[becut]

It's hard to believe the level of depravity and viciousness of politicians of the most powerful state in the world. We are in deep trouble.

[Gdfx]

These quotes from these candidates trying you outdo each other are completely unhinged. We truly live in an idiocracy. They won’t stop until the entire planet is burned to ash.

[TheHossein]

What I saw in the debate was; They were saying choose me; I am more psycho than the other ones.

[dustmighte]

These people are incredibly unhinged and dangerous

[galanis]

Absolutely horrid what all of these candidates said. Incredibly irresponsible.

[adelvoid]

the cynicism in US politics is absolutely brutal

[WanderingExistence]

The sycophantic hawkishness was absolutely gross. The amount of support for a country that has no regard for civilian life and has internationally stolen land since 1967 is absolutely disappointing.

[ravensbmore]

He is 100% correct! It is HARD listening to these people talk! They really think they are intelligent! SMDH

[atok]

As an Indian American
I’m so disgraced by these two Indian American candidates

[lisao]

I can't believe DeSantis said"Finish them" as if this is a game. I also can't believe they censured Talib, crazy! We are in trouble

[ongogablogian]

The Republican candidates on that debate stage were there for their soundbites. There was no policy to speak of expressed.

[sawyer]

Why does the US always have such a pitiful crop of candidates?

[obsoleteelite]

I urge everybody to go watch Norman Finklestein’s response to Bernie Sanders statement about temporary ceasefire.

[H-hervl]

Wtf !?? Why that sound like an extremist debate? 👀😱

[timmoore]

I don't understand how these policy analysts do not understand or don't want to say the simple fact, that the violence in Palestine is only a manifestation of the deeper problem of living under the mandates of an apartheid state.

[LycanB]

Appreciate the little snicker from Amy when Matt Duss says he feels the intelligence being sucked out of him from listening to those clips.

[judithburgess]

Hell is empty .. all the devil's and monsters are here on earth. Depravity and evil abound.
May justice and peace prevail.
Prayers for all innocents caught up in this horrendous war.

[promark]

That debate was so full of insane contradictions. It was honestly demoralizing to listen to.

[kennethswanson]

Most of them are lawyers and should be disbarred.

[labspeciman]

Pro life right? This is a stage of monsters.