Pop the popcorn! ‘The Donald’ doubles-down on John McCain

Donald Trump’s bull in a china shop run through the GOP primary this past month has reminded me of someone that I haven’t been able to recall, until now.

While the analogy is far from perfect, “The Donald” is going Bulworth on the GOP.

(“Bulworth” is a forgettable 1998 Warren Beatty movie about a California senator who is tired of politics, unhappy with his life in general, and is planning to commit suicide by arranging for his assassination. Bulworth begins speaking his mind freely at public events and in the presence of the C-SPAN film crew following his campaign. His frank, often offensive remarks make him an instant media darling and re-energize his campaign).

Arizona’s angry old man, John McCain, after letting “The Donald’s” comments about him play out over the weekend, now says that Trump owes an apology to POWs.

As you might imagine, “The Donald” is having none of it. Trump says McCain should apologize:

Donald Trump on Sunday kept up his criticism of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and said the senator should apologize for comments about people who attended a Trump rally focused on immigration.

“The Donald” doubled-down on John McCain with an op-ed in USA Today on Sunday. Trump: I don’t need to be lectured:

John McCain has called his own constituents who want a secure border “crazies.” No one in the news media or the establishment, including the Republican National Committee, criticized the senator for those comments.

Now, as respected reporter Sharyl Attkisson has proved point by point, the news media are also distorting my words. But that is not my point. McCain the politician has failed the state of Arizona and the country.

During my entire business career, I have always made supporting veterans a top priority because our heroes deserve the very best for defending our freedom. Our Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are outdated dumps. I will build the finest and most modern veterans hospitals in the world. The current medical assistance to our veterans is a disaster. A Trump administration will provide the finest universal access health care for our veterans. They will be able to get the best care anytime and anywhere.

Cue Jon Stewart. The Daily Show returns from vacation this week and this is almost certain to be a topic.

McCain has abandoned our veterans. I will fight for them.

The reality is that John McCain the politician has made America less safe, sent our brave soldiers into wrong-headed foreign adventures, covered up for President Obama with the VA scandal and has spent most of his time in the Senate pushing amnesty. He would rather protect the Iraqi border than Arizona’s. He even voted for the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015, which allows Obama, who McCain lost to in a record defeat, to push his dangerous Iran nuclear agreement through the Senate without a supermajority of votes.

A number of my competitors for the Republican nomination have no business running for president. I do not need to be lectured by any of them. Many are failed politicians or people who would be unable to succeed in the private sector. Some, however, I have great respect for.

My record of veteran support is well-documented. I served as co-chairman of the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission and was responsible, with a small group, for getting it built. Toward this end, I contributed over $1 million so our warriors can be honored in New York City with a proper memorial. I also helped finance and served as the grand marshal of the 1995 Nation’s Day Parade, which honored over 25,000 veterans. It was one of the biggest parades in the history of New York City, and I was very proud to have made it possible.

Again, cue Jon Stewart — “The Donald” loves a parade.

Even a broken watch is right twice a day, and “The Donald” makes some valid criticisms of John McCain. He may be a flawed messenger, but what he is saying has a kernel of truth.