Robert Reich on dt's cabinet picks

[babylonsister]

Robert Reich
16 mins ·

It will take only 3 Republican Senators to derail Trump's cabinet-level nominations (which need to be approved by a 51-vote majority). The most likely to face trouble:

1. Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. Senate Republicans worry about his close ties to Putin – including the recent revelation that he ran a U.S.-Russian oil firm in the Bahamas, a tax haven of the kind Trump said he wants to crack down on.

2. Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. After Ronald Reagan nominated him to be a federal judge, former colleagues accused him of racist remarks, such as warning a black colleague to be careful about what he said "to white folks." The Republican-controlled Senate panel voted to block his nomination.

3. Steve Mnuchin for Treasury Secretary. His investment bank, IndyMac, foreclosed on 36,000 homeowners during the housing crisis, despite receiving a $900 million federal bailout, and has been accused of discrimination. He’s also a former partner in Goldman Sachs, the giant Wall Street bank Trump repeatedly criticized during the campaign.

I'm also hoping at least 3 Republicans have enough integrity to oppose Andrew Puzner for Labor Secretary, Wilbur Ross for Commerce Secretary, and Scott Pruitt to head the EPA.

What do you think?

[still_one]

1. I believe manchin cannot be counted on to stand with the Democrats. Sessions is a racist and

anti-Semite, and not qualified to be AG, but except for Susan Collins, maybe, I don't see any other republicans breaking ranks.

Graham and McCain might break ranks for Tilerson, but I kind of doubt it since the republican party will be covering for him with falsehoods, and the MSM will fall right in line with that talking point.

Mnuchin will be a shoo in

The only one I see where there might be a chance would be Tillerson, but I think it is low.

Michael Flynn is perhaps one of the most dangerous on the trump team

In summary, I think we're screwed

[JHan]

2. Republicans will cave in and give the nod to all:

1) Even Rand Paul said he'll keep an "open mind" about Rex Tillerson, whose reputation is that of a deal maker . The consistent thing about Rex is that he's only ever really cared about one thing at Exxon Mobil - shareholder value. What are his views on Israel and Palestine, or Syria? Or any of the other fires going on around the world as we speak? What's his stance on tackling global poverty? on tackling health and the spread of disease? Human rights? ...what will be his focus as SoS?

2) Sessions is scary

3) Mnuchin's appointment signals Trump will be very pro-wall St.-

(And now I'll take a moment of silence to remember the criticisms about Hillary giving speeches........)

[Girard442]

3. There are no moderate Republicans.

Only Republicans who make moderate noises to mollify their moderate constituents and are allowed to vote in opposition when their votes aren't needed. When the party needs them, they fall in line every time.