Closing a segment on the July 23 program about Republican criticism of the nuclear deal that the Obama/Kerry State Department brokered with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hardball host Chris Matthews wondered if 2016 presidential aspirant Marco Rubio's vocal criticism of the deal might in some way be "illegal."
Matthews went on to elaborate by invoking yet again the Logan Act, breathing new life into a specious charge which we've addressed here at NewsBusters previously. Here's the relevant transcript:
MSNBC
Hardball
July 23, 2015; 7:33 p.m. EasternSen. BEN CARDIN (D-Md.): But I can tell you that when Marco Rubio makes his comments and really undermines the President of the United States, there's only one president at a time, I don't think he's helping his cause.
CHRIS MATTHEWS, host: You know I wonder whether it's even legal or diplomatically acceptable, yes or no, for somebody running for president, who has a shot at the presidency, basically writing foreign policy, to undermine the current president, who's the only president we have.
STEVE CLEMONS, Washington editor-at-large for The Atlantic: They can do it as long as they're not in a foreign country.
CARDIN: It was very similar to what Senator Cotton did in his letter signed by most of the members of the Republican caucus when he told the Supreme Leader disregard what the President of the United States is doing. It is over the edge. It should have no place in American politics.
MATTHEWS: I think people should remember when they observe the Constitution and their oath of office that they should remember that all laws coming from that Constitution -- and the Logan Act is one of those laws -- you're not supposed to negotiate for the United States unless you are in fact the United States government.
Matthews invocation of the Logan Act is beyond stupid for a variety of reasons, and plenty of outlets, including The Daily Signal, have capably addressed the Left's absurd charge that Sen. Cotton violated it earlier this year.
