Dem vet lawmaker: Senate 'would be wise' to confirm Mattis

[Jose Garcia]

Source: The Hill

A Democratic lawmaker who served under retired Gen. James Mattis in the Marines says President-elect Donald Trump is misjudging his pick to be Defense secretary — and he says that’s a good thing.

In a Wednesday op-ed for USA Today endorsing the Pentagon chief selection, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) argued Mattis is more than the bravado and bluster Trump finds attractive.

“The good news for our country is that Trump has Mattis all wrong,” Moulton wrote. “Before Trump realizes this himself, Democrats would be wise to have this debate and then grant an exemption to confirm him as our next secretary of Defense.”

Mattis retired three years ago, so Congress would need to pass a waiver to a law that requires the secretary of Defense be out of uniform for at least seven years before being confirmed for the job.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/309223-dem-veteran-trump-has-mattis-all-wrong

[still_one]

1. people can judge for themselves

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mattis

[jonno99]

2. Interesting. Trump will probably fire him when he realizes Mattis has a mind of his own. nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. Obama called allies "freeloaders"?

Huh??? -from the Wikipedia article.

Mattis' views on Iran seem concerning.

[cstanleytech]

6. To be fair Iran itself is concerning for alot of reasons from its pursuit of nuclear weapons

to the way it treats women.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

13. Yeah but

We don't war with them

[Bradical79]

4. It's not just about Mattis

It's the overabundance of generals that would be in his cabinet. That's usually bad news when a leader starts surrounding himself with military people like Trump is doing.

[underpants]

5. Yep.

[cstanleytech]

7. I suspect its largely because he doesnt know what the hell he is doing and is hoping people

with some actual military experience might offset his gross incompetency.

[IronLionZion]

12. He campaigned as an anti-war candidate

but he clearly want to bomb the shit out of ISIS.

I get the feeling these generals won't stop there.

[Sunlei]

8. No, let republicans pass the waiver for him because they will vote him in anyway. Questions must be

Questions must be asked _for the record_ of all the 'new Admin' people.

Don't let Republicans fast track in or short-cut the laws for any of these new people, make them use the correct channels & process. No bypassing the pubic information.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Trump said he knows more than the generals and ridiculed them.

Trump said he knows more than the generals and ridiculed them.

Why would he appoint people he does not respect?

[angrychair]

10. Fuck this guy and ANY Dem that supports Mad Dog or The Orange One

Mattis is a racist, xenophobic and bigoted asshole.
I will disparage and turn my back on ANY member of Congress that votes for any of trump's cabinet

As my sig line states:
Trump is a narcissistic, racist, bigoted and xenophobic fascist. We are either united in our fight against his agenda or we will all become a victim of it.

[DK504]

11. No waivers plain and simple.

Will the Democratic "leadership" stand strong?

[0rganism]

15. might be worth it if the Dems can cut a deal to prevent AG Sessions

of course that would take some kind of bargaining skills, and perhaps a spine
not saying our beloved congresscritters don't have those qualities, but they might not be as well represented as their other myriad strengths

[kskiska]

14. A replacement could be someone much worse, especially considering Trump's vindictiveness.

[KG]

16. let the excuses begin. 'keepin' the powder dry' anyone?