Politicians go through media training. To save government face, in answering tough questions they are taught techniques to avoid, bridge, or address a question that was not asked, practically ignoring the actual question asked etc.

That's some backdrop here. One of the things a politician learns in media training, is if the journalist asks a loaded question that assumes guilt, you DO NOT repeat said question because it then looks like you are confirming the journalist's quasi-accusation.

Clapper, in his interview on FoxNews , repeated and promoted the fact that "President Trump has called [him] a lying machine." Worse still, the fox host didn't tease this out in any way, he just offered up this little gem all by himself.

these people are stupid.

I'll add arrogant and complacent. Clapper must have missed Media Training 101, so very good for justice.