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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLindsey Graham & John McCain are likely to mount aggressive opposition to Tillerson as sec.of state
Lawmakers alarmed Exxon chief could empower Putin
Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain are likely to mount aggressive opposition to Exxon CEO Tillerson as
By MICHAEL CROWLEY 12/10/16 05:39 PM EST Updated 12/10/16 08:12 PM EST
Donald Trumps leading candidate for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, would accelerate the president-elect's collision course with Congress over his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and raise new questions about Putins role in the election.
Tillerson, whom Trump officials now call the front-runner for Americas top diplomatic job, has spent hours with Putin negotiating billions of dollars in Russian oil projects, and is believed to be on friendlier terms with the Russian autocrat than all but a handful of Americans. He has also been critical of U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014.
The potential selection of a Putin friend for the critical post is raising alarm in both parties that Trump intends to act on his campaign talk of refashioning a U.S.-Russian relationship now at its most adversarial point since the end of the Cold War.
Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham are likely to mount aggressive opposition to Tillerson, according to sources familiar with their thinking.
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http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/rex-tillerson-state-lawmakers-232468?cmpid=sf
Jean-Jacques Roussea
(475 posts)We are so fucked.
DFW
(54,268 posts)The Republicans have 52 Senators. If the Democratic Senators remain a united bloc, three Republican Senators with enough backbone to say "enough!" will be enough to prevent Pence from breaking a tie.
rpannier
(24,326 posts)I've read Susan Collins will likely run for governor of Maine in 2018. She may be the best bet for #3
Though Flake, Sasse and Portman don't like Il Douche either
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)The jr. Senator from AZ looks up to McCain. Fingers crossed.
rpannier
(24,326 posts)napi21
(45,806 posts)There are still quite a few Repugs who respect McCain and value his opinions. I don't know if there are enough to derail Mr. Oil's nomination bid, but it will be fun to watch.
rpannier
(24,326 posts)Susan Collins ME - She is rumored to want to run for Governor in 2018. She may see no downside to it
Flake AZ - Probably one of the loudest never-Trump in the Senate
Sasse NE - He thought about a third party run
Portman OH - Kind of like Kasich in regards to Trump
Murkowski Ak - Pro Big Oil Anti-Russia. One will win out
Paul KY - Just because I can never tell what he;s going to do from day-to-day