Pete Hegseth is Going to Stick it Out

 

The attacks never stop. As I said in my first post on Pete Hegseth, they’ve organized a lynching party to take him out of the running for Secretary of the Department of Defense. How could it get any worse?

It seems that it can.

Now they have dug up some slime about some new allegations regarding his positions at two volunteer organizations. If you’re salivating to read the stories, you can follow this link.

As this additional information is piled on, I’m becoming more convinced every day that a lot of people are afraid, very afraid, of Pete Hegseth. He has the courage, gumption and determination to go where the deep state is hiding and evict them as soon as possible. I suspect through his contacts that he knows where the bodies are buried, and will have plenty of help to find them.

The rumors are that Trump is considering replacing Hegseth with Governor Ron DeSantis, my governor in Florida. Of course, I’d hate to lose DeSantis’ governing the state. And I think he would do a great job in the DOD. But I think Pete Hegseth is a better choice, because he’s closer to the issues. And I somehow don’t think that DeSantis will be interested anyway in taking over the DOD.

Just today, Hegseth said Trump has told Hegseth to stay in the running. I think he should, too.

I hope he will. And that plenty of heads will roll.

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  1. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Chris O (View Comment):

    There really are only three relevant questions.

    1. Can he organize, equip, and field an effective fighting force?
    2. Can he effect his envisioned changes?
    3. Do the concerns about his past mean he’ll struggle to work within the branches? (And thereby be unable to perform on the first two questions)

    It is unique to have a prospective SecDef who has a vision for reorganization, etc.. He wrote a book on the subject of making the military a better fighting force, and has experience within, including combat experience. The (not anonymous) people he worked with seem to indicate he would have little difficulty working with someone who is, at least, like-minded.

    A fourth organizational question must be asked as well: Are there enough upper echelon officers in service who would promote this reorganization and help (re-)create the culture around it? I suspect so, but it still is a question to ask during a confirmation hearing because I imagine Hegseth has some insight into the answer.

     

    Related to question 3, If President Trump, as part of his peace initiative in Ukraine, orders an increase in weapons shipments for Ukraine’s defense, will he put personal opinions aside and carry out that work with maximum effectiveness per unit of money spent?  (Unlike what was done under the Biden administration.)  

    • #61
  2. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    The Reticulator (View Comment):
    Related to question 3, If President Trump, as part of his peace initiative in Ukraine, orders an increase in weapons shipments for Ukraine’s defense, will he put personal opinions aside and carry out that work with maximum effectiveness per unit of money spent?  (Unlike what was done under the Biden administration.)

    I should add that for some time I had the impression that his personal opinions on Ukraine were not relevant to how he would carry out his job, which was one reason I didn’t care too much one way or another about his nomination.  But after listening to some of the more savage Ukraine-haters on Twitter, I’m no longer so sure about that.

    • #62
  3. carcat74 Member
    carcat74
    @carcat74

    EODmom (View Comment):

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    Chris O (View Comment):

    There really are only three relevant questions.

    1. Can he organize, equip, and field an effective fighting force?
    2. Can he effect his envisioned changes?
    3. Do the concerns about his past mean he’ll struggle to work within the branches? (And thereby be unable to perform on the first two questions)

    It is unique to have a prospective SecDef who has a vision for reorganization, etc.. He wrote a book on the subject of making the military a better fighting force, and has experience within, including combat experience. The (not anonymous) people he worked with seem to indicate he would have little difficulty working with someone who is, at least, like-minded.

    A fourth organizational question must be asked as well: Are there enough upper echelon officers in service who would promote this reorganization and help (re-)create the culture around it? I suspect so, but it still is a question to ask during a confirmation hearing because I imagine Hegseth has some insight into the answer.

     

    Your final paragram is probably the key. Will he be forced to fire the Chairman of the JCS just to make a point? After all, he was quoted as saying “I hire for diversity” which seemed to indicate a committment to DEI.

    Sometimes it is necessary to cut off the head of the snake.

    I hope there are a LOT of firings. Prune down to green wood. That dead brown wood I see in public is bad. Make some brevet promotions on potential then make them permanent when potential is realized.

    I would start with that tin pot ‘general’ who just got his 4th star for being ‘the last man to leave Afghanistan’. That is, if you don’t count his camera man, or the pilot of the aircraft carrying his ‘war trophy’, the Toyota Hi-Lux, which was able to be loaded only after he kicked off a bunch of people already on the plane. He left behind hundreds of military dogs in kennels that could’ve been saved instead of that pile of metal! Oh, and what about the people left behind because there was no room left after loading that truck? 

    • #63
  4. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet.  If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks. 

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats.  Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office. 

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    • #64
  5. Brian Watt Member
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    • #65
  6. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    She was supposed to go to Washington to “make ’em squeal.” It was a great campaign commercial, but she’s sat long enough for all the squealing she’s caused. Time to find a team player, I guess.

    • #66
  7. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    Ernst needs to be primaried for her weird throwback hairstyle ….

    • #67
  8. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    Chris O (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    DonG (¡Afuera!) (View Comment):

    Chris O (View Comment):
    A fourth organizational question must be asked as well: Are there enough upper echelon officers in service who would promote this reorganization and help (re-)create the culture around it?

    What if the answer is “no”? If the organization is so far gone, do we give up on reform?

    I suppose the next step would be to look for those who could be promoted to fill those positions, who don’t have the nonsense. The number of people who could be promoted to that level – such as, colonels who could become generals – is probably some large multiple of the number of people are currently at that level. So even if EVERY general has to be replaced, there should be an ample number of colonels available.

    I suspect the organizations are very top heavy. I don’t know if anyone will need to be replaced.

    I expect there are more generals than are needed, but I also expect there’s a lot more colonels who have enough time in service etc, to be promoted to generals if needed. The main reason they haven’t been already is because we already have too many generals.

    I have heard the Colonel rank is the limbo stop. Lots of colonels, and if you’re still a colonel after a certain amount of time, you will always be a colonel; not as many generals, but there are still probably too many.

    There has to be a manpower slot for a general in a career field for one to be promoted to general. My career field had none. The highest I could have gone was 0-6, colonel. I opted out, retired, right before my O-6 board so I would not be tempted to accept it and stay in. I did not need the ego boost and my children needed a stable family life much more. I also did not submit paperwork to renew my TS security clearance that would have made me a valuable hire by one of the military contractors. Yes, that path was there for me. I decided money isn’t everything.  It was one of those odd choices where taking a substantial income cut was best for the family. Money isn’t everything. Family is more valuable.

    • #68
  9. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Chris O (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    DonG (¡Afuera!) (View Comment):

    Chris O (View Comment):
    A fourth organizational question must be asked as well: Are there enough upper echelon officers in service who would promote this reorganization and help (re-)create the culture around it?

    What if the answer is “no”? If the organization is so far gone, do we give up on reform?

    I suppose the next step would be to look for those who could be promoted to fill those positions, who don’t have the nonsense. The number of people who could be promoted to that level – such as, colonels who could become generals – is probably some large multiple of the number of people are currently at that level. So even if EVERY general has to be replaced, there should be an ample number of colonels available.

    I suspect the organizations are very top heavy. I don’t know if anyone will need to be replaced.

    I expect there are more generals than are needed, but I also expect there’s a lot more colonels who have enough time in service etc, to be promoted to generals if needed. The main reason they haven’t been already is because we already have too many generals.

    I have heard the Colonel rank is the limbo stop. Lots of colonels, and if you’re still a colonel after a certain amount of time, you will always be a colonel; not as many generals, but there are still probably too many.

    One reason for remaining a colonel forever would be that there’s already enough/too many Generals, and if they do want to promote one anyway, there are probably better candidates. Perhaps even for the same political reasons that mean they SHOULD BE generals INSTEAD OF one or more of the current generals. But if some or all of those current generals were turned out because of DEI infection etc, that door to promotion opens again.

    There are never “too many generals.” There could only be too many manpower authorizations for generals.

    • #69
  10. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Chris O (View Comment):

    There really are only three relevant questions.

    1. Can he organize, equip, and field an effective fighting force?
    2. Can he effect his envisioned changes?
    3. Do the concerns about his past mean he’ll struggle to work within the branches? (And thereby be unable to perform on the first two questions)

    It is unique to have a prospective SecDef who has a vision for reorganization, etc.. He wrote a book on the subject of making the military a better fighting force, and has experience within, including combat experience. The (not anonymous) people he worked with seem to indicate he would have little difficulty working with someone who is, at least, like-minded.

    A fourth organizational question must be asked as well: Are there enough upper echelon officers in service who would promote this reorganization and help (re-)create the culture around it? I suspect so, but it still is a question to ask during a confirmation hearing because I imagine Hegseth has some insight into the answer.

     

    Related to question 3, If President Trump, as part of his peace initiative in Ukraine, orders an increase in weapons shipments for Ukraine’s defense, will he put personal opinions aside and carry out that work with maximum effectiveness per unit of money spent? (Unlike what was done under the Biden administration.)

    He isn’t a pacifist.

    • #70
  11. Susan Quinn Member
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Red Herring (View Comment):
    I decided money isn’t everything.  It was one of those odd choices where taking a substantial income cut was best for the family. Money isn’t everything. Family is more valuable.

    Good for you, RH. But I’m not surprised, based on what I’ve learned about you.

    • #71
  12. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    EODmom (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The way to help keep senators from wilting is to start calling their offices.

    I doubt Hassan or Shaheen will care but I think it’s a real measure of how much the Senate didn’t want Trump re-elected. It’s not really Hegseth. It’s outsiders who don’t ask their permissions.
    added: I’d hate to see either of them back down. I also dint think DeSantis would have as much fervor about reform or be as determined as Hegseth. There’s just not a lot of time to be polite.

    Hegseth has combat time and is the expert on what needs to be done. DeSantis would not have the credibility since he hasn’t talk about the military much.

    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care.  If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in.  If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    • #72
  13. Susan Quinn Member
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care.  If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in.  If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    • #73
  14. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    She is exactly what we hate about our party. She would also be the kind of pick that would stab Trump in the back. Trump should find a House member willing to run against her and threaten to take her scalp in 2026.

    The proof:

    “She’s waging a campaign to replace Pete with herself,” a Trump source familiar with her phone calls with Trump said.

    The article has plenty on Ernst for a Trump candidate to use to run against her. Tubing Hegseth should be the final straw for red state voters. 

    Also, what am I to make of this:

    Another source added that the Republican senator dispatched Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., over the weekend to nag Trump to ditch Hegseth and replace him by nominating Ernst.

    after receiving this in an email from Sen Graham yesterday:

    I won’t make any decisions on President Trump’s appointees on rumors and anonymous sources.

    I’ve seen this movie before. The Democrats used the same play against Justice Brett Kavanaugh in an attempt to ruin his life, and it didn’t work. It won’t work this time either.

    • #74
  15. Susan Quinn Member
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Red Herring (View Comment):
    She is exactly what we hate about our party. She would also be the kind of pick that would stab Trump in the back. Trump should find a House member willing to run against her and threaten to take her scalp in 2026.

    I have a blog post coming up on American Thinker that represents my concerns. It’s in the pipeline.

    • #75
  16. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure.  But either way, the best thing is to learn.   

    • #76
  17. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    • #77
  18. Susan Quinn Member
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    We’re in the car and I heard NPR refer to his money problems. Excuse me??!!

    • #78
  19. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    We’re in the car and I heard NPR refer to his money problems. Excuse me??!!

    Seven kids, two ex-wives. If he does, it’s no surprise. :) :) I would imagine the Fox position would pay better than the SecDef position. 

    My husband and I heard a comedian years ago who said something that continues to make us laugh. The comedian said, “Everyone is talking about how to know if you’re ready to be a father. Here’s the test: Walk into any department store. Put your wallet on the counter, and say to the clerk, ‘Here. Take whatever you want.'” :) :) 

    • #79
  20. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    I’m not interested enough to keep up or sort them out.  I’ll let others do that.  I will be interested in his response as to what he will do if/when Trump orders the DoD to prepare a program of weapons to send to Ukraine for his peace project.   I’ll worry about that and let you worry about all the accusations.   

    • #80
  21. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    I am no longer moved by “accused of”, “investigated for”, “there are those who say”, or “anonymous sources allege”. I am not even troubled by “indicted for”. Anybody can make an allegation, especially anonymously. Bureaucratic overreach (no consequences) and prosecutorial misconduct (no consequences and unlimited power) have no bounds. I am moved by actual proof and evidence, and even so, depending on the alleged transgression, that doesn’t necessarily disqualify someone for a job.  

    • #81
  22. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    We’re in the car and I heard NPR refer to his money problems. Excuse me??!!

    Seven kids, two ex-wives. If he does, it’s no surprise. :) :) I would imagine the Fox position would pay better than the SecDef position.

    My husband and I heard a comedian years ago who said something that continues to make us laugh. The comedian said, “Everyone is talking about how to know if you’re ready to be a father. Here’s the test: Walk into any department store. Put your wallet on the counter, and say to the clerk, ‘Here. Take whatever you want.’” :) :)

    Based on what I’ve seen, he would be taking a pay cut. 

    • #82
  23. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    I’m not interested enough to keep up or sort them out. I’ll let others do that. I will be interested in his response as to what he will do if/when Trump orders the DoD to prepare a program of weapons to send to Ukraine for his peace project. I’ll worry about that and let you worry about all the accusations.

    He will do as his CINC says.

    • #83
  24. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    This is cute but it adds more to be concerned about DeSantis. 

    • #84
  25. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    I’m not interested enough to keep up or sort them out. I’ll let others do that. I will be interested in his response as to what he will do if/when Trump orders the DoD to prepare a program of weapons to send to Ukraine for his peace project. I’ll worry about that and let you worry about all the accusations.

    He will do as his CINC says.

    I would want to hear that from Hegseth, not you.  I would want Hegseth to say it eyeball to eyeball with the Senate confirmation committee, and for it to be part of the public record.  

    • #85
  26. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    I can remember when Iowa was a blue state.  Be careful what you wish for.  MAGA could win the primary and lose the general.

    • #86
  27. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    E. Kent Golding (View Comment):

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    1. Trump won a decisive victory. He is entitled to the people he wants in his cabinet. If the senators don’t support him, voters need to primary a few and take some scalps short of something terrible, and that doesn’t include anonymous reports, there is no reason to not vote for Trump’s people. The Democrats 100% voted for Biden’s freak show. There isn’t a freak in Trump’s picks.

    2. Be alert for soft RINO Republicans and turncoats. Ernst is wobbly on Hegseth, defying the electorate… rumor has it she wanted the DoD job. She also supports some of the woke policies Biden put in place. Also, Democrats are laying land mines. That plan to make government workers return to the offices….the Biden Administration is trying to rush new contracts that include working from home to DOGE can’t get them back into the office.

    3. Again, Trump needs his picks, outsiders who can’t be bought or intimidated by the system. We will know these next four years if the “deep state” can be reformed administratively rather than the founders’ way.

    Ernst is an embarrassment. Here is The Federalist’s take on her:

    https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/04/trump-world-sources-joni-ernst-is-waging-aggressive-personal-jihad-against-hegseth/

    She needs to be primaried.

    I can remember when Iowa was a blue state. Be careful what you wish for. MAGA could win the primary and lose the general.

    Only if he folds.

    • #87
  28. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):
    Dirtbag or reformed dirtbag, I don’t care. If the man can get the job done, he should be voted in. If he’s still a dirtbag, keep close tabs on him . . .

    I think he’s learned his lessons. At least, I hope so.

    It seems to me that people learn such lessons better from success than from failure. But either way, the best thing is to learn.

    What is the newest accusation against him? That isn’t anonymous (fabricated)?

    I’m not interested enough to keep up or sort them out. I’ll let others do that. I will be interested in his response as to what he will do if/when Trump orders the DoD to prepare a program of weapons to send to Ukraine for his peace project. I’ll worry about that and let you worry about all the accusations.

    He will do as his CINC says.

    I would want to hear that from Hegseth, not you. I would want Hegseth to say it eyeball to eyeball with the Senate confirmation committee, and for it to be part of the public record.

    Why don’t you state what it is you want, why you want whatever it is, and why you don’t think Hegseth will do something. What do you went them to ask him. I can’t tell whether you are for are against whatever it is. I can’t tell whether you want him to obey Trump, disobey Trump, or are afraid he will disobey Trump. I’m pretty good with logic problems but not at translating your vague comments. 

    • #88
  29. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    He will do as his CINC says.

    I would want to hear that from Hegseth, not you. I would want Hegseth to say it eyeball to eyeball with the Senate confirmation committee, and for it to be part of the public record.

    Why don’t you state what it is you want, why you want whatever it is, and why you don’t think Hegseth will do something. What do you went them to ask him. I can’t tell whether you are for are against whatever it is. I can’t tell whether you want him to obey Trump, disobey Trump, or are afraid he will disobey Trump. I’m pretty good with logic problems but not at translating your vague comments. 

    You are free to ignore what I’ve written if you want.  I already know your position on Hegseth.  If you can’t tell from my questions whether I’m for/against, etc., then that is a sign that I’ve been doing it right. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ve been doing it as well as that would indicate.   

    • #89
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