Reacting to allegations that the White House leaked several pieces of highly classified national security information to the press for political gain, on Monday's NBC Today, left-wing MSNBC host Chris Hayes demanded: "I think we need more leaks and not less...we should know how the war is operating and what's going on with a kill list that's operating out of the White House or what covert activities we're engaged in." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Only seconds earlier, fellow guest Meghan McCain, daughter of Arizona Senator John McCain, explained that her father called the leaks "the worst security breach he's ever seen in his entire career." She added: "...whomever is doing this is not putting their country first and thinking about America and the safety of our troops, and that's scary."
Two weeks ago, on day before Memorial Day, Hayes proclaimed on his Sunday morning MSNBC show, Up with Chris Hayes, that he was "uncomfortable" calling fallen soldiers "heroes."
It's interesting to note that Monday was the first time the Today show had brought Hayes on as a pundit since his cable show premiered on September 17, 2011.
Here is a portion of the June 11 exchange:
7:21AM ET
(...)
ANN CURRY: Alright, let's talk about this other comment that your father has made, he's reiterated over the weekend his charge that the national – that the recent national security leaks were politically motivated. And in fact, over the weekend he also went on to say that they were possibly leaked by the White House. I guess the question is, is there any proof to back up these charges?
MEGHAN MCCAIN: Well, I don't know of proof exactly, but I think when there's a leak like this, you have to look and see who is benefitting. And the President is obviously benefitting from this. I had a conversation with my father last night and he said this is the worst security breach he's ever seen in his entire career. For me, that sends absolute chills up and down my spine about exactly what we have given the terrorists and our enemies through these security leaks. And whomever is doing this is not putting their country first and thinking about America and the safety of our troops, and that's scary.
CURRY: Very briefly.
CHRIS HAYES: I think we need more leaks and not less. I mean I actually think that we should know how the war is operating and what's going on with a kill list that's operating out of the White House or what covert activities we're engaged in.
CURRY: Alright, I know you're not done, you're going to disagree.
MCCAIN: Chris and I are going to – we'll agree to disagree, Chris, there you go.
CURRY: Meghan McCain and Chris Hayes, thank you so much this morning for your perspective on these topics.
HAYES: Thank you.
MCCAIN: Thank you.
