During a report on Wednesday’s CBS This Morning about White House reaction to the terrorist attack in Istanbul, correspondent Margaret Brennan lamented the violence was taking attention away from President Obama’s effort to push his left-wing agenda at an international summit: “...this is the third time in the past year that a major summit is being overshadowed by terrorism.”
Brennan touted: “Here in Ottawa, Mexico, Canada, and President Obama representing the U.S., were all supposed to sit down and tackle tough climate change issues, including a pledge to switch to renewable clean energy.” She added: “And tackle immigration issues. Of course, all of the talk of the 2016 campaign and building walls, cutting off some of that passage with Mexico, has been very controversial.”
In wake of the Paris terror attacks upstaging another climate change summit in November, Brennan took to the morning show to worry that “the terror threat is diverting attention” from global warming.
Here is a full transcript of the June 29 segment:
7:06 AM ET
GAYLE KING: The White House condemned the attack in Turkey, calling it “heinous.” President Obama travels to Ottawa this morning for a summit meeting with the leaders of Canada and Mexico. Margaret Brennan is in Ottawa, where security is one of the key items on the agenda today. Margaret, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Obama’s Attack Outrage; President Condemns Bombings Ahead of Ottawa Visit]
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning. Well, throughout the night, President Obama, we’re told, has received updates on this latest attack in Turkey, which is a key U.S. ally. And we do expect here in Ottawa for the President to make some remarks shortly after he touches down.
Now, the U.S. does agree with the Turkish prime minister that this has the signature of an ISIS attack, but they’re waiting on further intelligence. Just today, before the Istanbul bombing, U.S. Intelligence today indicated that an attack on foreign tourists, particularly Americans, was eminent. That led the State Department to reissue a public warning and ordered the families of American officials to stay out of certain parts of the country. So far, this morning, it does not look like American citizens are among the casualties.
For President Obama, though, this is the third time in the past year that a major summit is being overshadowed by terrorism. Here in Ottawa, Mexico, Canada, and President Obama representing the U.S., were all supposed to sit down and tackle tough climate change issues, including a pledge to switch to renewable clean energy. And tackle immigration issues. Of course, all of the talk of the 2016 campaign and building walls, cutting off some of that passage with Mexico, has been very controversial.
But, right now, security, as you say, is at the top of the agenda as well because this attack in Turkey could be a game-changer. Turkey is a U.S. ally within NATO. That means they can compel the U.S. and Europe to take action. So this sets the stage for some intense talks next week, when President Obama sits down with Turkish leaders and other members of that NATO military alliance. Charlie?
CHARLIE ROSE: Thanks, Margaret. Margaret Brennan in Ottawa, Canada.
