Dan Rather Says Trump’s Civil War Comments Are ‘Sheer Craziness’

Rathe called Trump’s knowledge of American history “below that of most gradeschoolers.”

Legendary former CBS News anchor Dan Rather had harsh words for Donald Trump after Trump’s bizarre Civil War comments yesterday. Rather called Trump’s question about the Civil War being preventable “sheer craziness.”

“People don’t ask that question, but why was there the Civil War?” Trump asked during an interview.  “Why could that one not have been worked out?” “I mean had Andrew Jackson been a little bit later you wouldn’t have had the Civil War,” Trump added. “He was a very tough person, but he had a big heart.”

Rather said he wanted to avoid commenting on this story. “I wanted to let this story go. I really did. I don’t want to be distracted from all the important things taking place. Where are we on the Russia investigation again?”

“But the sheer craziness of this obsession by Donald Trump with Andrew Jackson and the Civil War is a carnival act unlike anything I have ever seen at the White House. And not to let something drop, there is Mr. Trump on Twitter just recently pouring gasoline on the fires of his ignorance,” Rather said in a post on his Facebook page.

Rather also called Trump’s knowledge of American history “below that of most gradeschoolers.”
“Nevermind that in many people’s view, Jackson is not exactly the kind of president, or man, you would want to hold up as an example. And nevermind that there is an implicit criticism of arguably our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. (It reminds me of his slam against John McCain and how war heroes aren’t captured. Apparently great presidents don’t wage a war to keep the Union together),” Rather continued.

Rather said that Trump should focus on governing and asked, “Should we not conclude that he approaches policy decisions with the same half-baked conspiracies with which he apparently approaches history?”

Rather then concluded his post saying, “To be President of the United States is to part of the great American story. To not understand that story is to not understand the presidency. Maybe Frederick Douglass can give Mr. Trump some advice. Apparently, he’s ‘an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more.'”