My comments are given after the quotes:
1) "因此中国的对外用词往往被生硬地扣上苏联意识形态，这是西方所惯用的政治伎俩。刘晓明...非常可笑，是...耻辱"
If "西方所惯用的政治伎俩" is true, 刘晓明's answer is smart since a simple "yes" or "no" will make him fall into the trap.
2) "刘晓明一个中国驻英大使，连自己是不是“共产主义者”都说不清楚，非常可笑，是中国外交系统的耻辱".
There is nothing wrong with "说不清楚" since the definition of 共产主义者 has changed with time. It is difficult to "说清楚". If 共产主义 means 专制 accoring to someone's definition, Liu's answer is perfectly fine. There is nothing to be shamed about.
3) "丢人的是刘晓明这种缺乏政治自信".
What part of Liu's answer shows that he is lack of confidence? Did he have to say "China is a communist country" to show confidency even he does not think so?
4) "政治底气是一代不如一代 ... 连自己都不敢公开承认自己是个共产党国家" vs "中国早就不是“共产党国家”了".
It seems to me, according to someone's logic, Liu would look bad no matter whether he answered yes or no. It does not make any sense.
5) "如果没有上级许可，他刘晓明哪敢发出如此石破天惊的言论"
Can China change or not? Why cannot we consider another probability that Liu is confident enough to do the interview without knowing the questions in advance, and he actually expressed his personal opinion?
6) "这个认识转变虽然让共产党多少会“有失颜面”" and "改正这些错误，这并不丢人。"
According to someone's logic, "有失颜面" is "并不丢人". It does not make any sense.
