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Post by lisae on Nov 26, 2016 19:13:56 GMT
I think we have beaten the election subject to death so I thought I'd find out what you think of Trump's selections for cabinet so far. Trump has made more selections as this point than Obama or Clinton and of course George W. Bush who got a later start due to the 2000 Election's recount in Florida. Complete list of picks and possible picks here in NY Times article: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html?_r=0Here are Trump's picks so far: Appointments: Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus (current head of GOP) Chief Strategist: Stephen Bannon Attorney General: Jeff Sessions (currently Senator from Alabama) CIA Director: Mike Pompeo (GOP Rep from Kansas) National Security Advisor: Mike Flynn Deputy National Security Advisor: KT MacFarland (past Senate candidate and currently with Fox News) Secretary of Education: Becky DeVos UN Ambassador: Nikki Haley (current Governor of SC) White House Counsel: Donald McGahn Rumored Appointments: Secretary of State: Rudy Guiliani or Mitt Romney or Retired General Petraeus or several other possibilities Secretary of Defense: James Matthis (retired General) Housing and Urban Development: Dr. Ben Carson Commerce Secretary: Wilbur Ross My thoughts are in a reply below. |
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TheOtherMeg
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Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Nov 26, 2016 19:20:05 GMT
Trump has made more selections as this point than Obama or Clinton and of course George W. Bush who got a later start due to the 2000 Election's recount in Florida. IMO, it's been a rather easy job for him since he's just choosing friends/sycophants -- those who have stuck by him and/or donated millions to him -- and not actually researching and vetting the best possible people for the jobs. Looking specifically at you, Stephen Bannon and Becky DeVos. |
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Post by lisae on Nov 26, 2016 19:29:39 GMT
I have mixed views of his decisions so far. While getting a cabinet assembled early may give him a jump start, I think he may be rushing some of these appointments. He's heavy on the wealthy - no surprise - and light on the qualifications in some cases. Some candidates are very qualified and do stick to his campaign promises particularly in regards to changing foreign policy. Many of these people I do not know much about so I'll stick to the ones I have an impression of.
My impression of Priebus is that he is a lightweight. However, he had a difficult job leading a party with an unpopular candidate among the rest of the party establishment. He helped Trump in the campaign and they won so I don't think his abilities can be discounted. He and Ryan are friends and Trump is going to need a bridge to the House and Senate so this is probably a good pick.
Nikki Haley is a popular governor in SC and what I know of her she seems capable as governor. I think she has zero foreign policy experience so I can't see what she brings to the table as UN Ambassador at all.
Considering Dr. Carson for any position is a mistake in my opinion. I know he must be a very intelligent man to have had the position he had in the medical field however, that intelligence was never on display during the campaign. Of all the Republican candidates, Trump included, I thought Carson was the least qualified. Just a few days ago, he himself said he didn't think he should have a position in Washington and now he is considering a cabinet position? Other than growing up in an urban environment 50 years ago, what does he know about urban development and the issues facing the inner cities and what to do about them? Surely there is someone more qualified.
I understand Sarah Palin is being considered for Secretary of the Interior. Letting that woman cross the Potomac is a mistake IMO. I have no respect for her as a person or as a politician. She is a quitter. Two years into her governorship, she bailed. Basically she cashed out so she could cash in by writing a book and going on a book tour. There are plenty of other reasons why I don't think she belongs in Washington.
Of the choices for Secretary of State, Romney would probably be my pick because I think he is a reasonable, intelligent, thoughtful man. I'm not sure he has a lot of foreign policy experience. I don't really know what he has been doing the last few years. Petraeus left under some sort of scandal, didn't he? I don't want Guiliani in the cabinet at all.
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Post by lisae on Nov 26, 2016 19:32:11 GMT
Trump has made more selections as this point than Obama or Clinton and of course George W. Bush who got a later start due to the 2000 Election's recount in Florida. IMO, it's been a rather easy job for him since he's just choosing friends/sycophants -- those who have stuck by him and/or donated millions to him -- and not actually researching and vetting the best possible people for the jobs. Looking specifically at you, Stephen Bannon and Becky DeVos. Yes, he has definitely picked supporters. He has also picked people who did not support him such as Nikki Haley who denounced Trump and supported Rubio. Former Governor George W. Bush filled his cabinet with other governors. |
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Nov 26, 2016 19:46:38 GMT
Yes, but regardless of her statement that she feels accepting the job is her patriotic duty (which is a great way to get around having to say anything positive about Trump hahaha), I can't help but feel she sold her soul to, well, Trump, in order to further her career. Still, she does sound better qualified and less objectionable than most of the other nominations.
I agree with your entire second post!
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Post by lucyg on Nov 26, 2016 20:08:05 GMT
I agree with everything above. I'd be fine with Mitt Romney and I really have no objection to Nikki Haley (although I think he chose her in his typical racially-oriented fashion ... she's "foreign," so let's send her to the UN).
Jeff Sessions is an abomination and Rudy Giuliani is past his sell-by date. Ben Carson to HUD is a head-scratcher, but it's not like he would have appointed someone more competent, anyway.
Steve Bannon is worse than an abomination, but he doesn't require Senate confirmation so I'm not wasting time worrying about him. Some of them I don't know enough about to comment.
My major, major objection is to Betsy DeVos for education secretary. The woman has no background or training in education. Her main interest is in destroying the public education system and she is a huge contributor to Republican causes. She has zero business running the public education system and I am horrified by that appointment.
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katybee
Drama Llama
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Post by katybee on Nov 26, 2016 20:14:57 GMT
I understand Sarah Palin is being considered for Secretary of the Interior. Letting that woman cross the Potomac is a mistake IMO. I have no respect for her as a person or as a politician. She is a quitter. Two years into her governorship, she bailed. Basically she cashed out so she could cash in by writing a book and going on a book tour. There are plenty of other reasons why I don't think she belongs in Washington. Drill, Baby, Drill! (ugh...) |
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Post by lisae on Nov 26, 2016 20:34:14 GMT
I agree with everything above. I'd be fine with Mitt Romney and I really have no objection to Nikki Haley (although I think he chose her in his typical racially-oriented fashion ... she's "foreign," so let's send her to the UN). Jeff Sessions is an abomination and Rudy Giuliani is past his sell-by date. Ben Carson to HUD is a head-scratcher, but it's not like he would have appointed someone more competent, anyway. Steve Bannon is worse than an abomination, but he doesn't require Senate confirmation so I'm not wasting time worrying about him. Some of them I don't know enough about to comment. My major, major objection is to Betsy DeVos for education secretary. The woman has no background or training in education. Her main interest is in destroying the public education system and she is a huge contributor to Republican causes. She has zero business running the public education system and I am horrified by that appointment. That's an excellent summation of Giuliani. I tend to stay out of public education debates because I don't really know enough to discuss. I do know that college tuition is ridiculously high for no reason that I can fathom. The cost per credit hour of my alma mater has increased over 16 times what I paid in the early 1980's. I know of nothing else that the cost has increased that much, certainly not post graduation starting salaries. |
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 26, 2016 20:46:32 GMT
I think he is a dumbass that is proving it daily.
those rallied around cheered his ties to Washington. Instead he has obligations and to people in the private sector that have no clue what they are doing.
Just because the words can come out of your mouth, doesn't mean they are feasible.
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Post by micheley on Nov 26, 2016 20:50:28 GMT
what you think of Trump's selections for cabinet so far.
Well I tried to insert that It's fine meme (dog surrounded by fire) but goddamn photobucket is down AGAIN. So I'll just say I think his picks are awful. Except for poor Mitt Romney, and it sounds like Trump is going to make him jump through hoops to be considered (last i saw Donnie wanted Mitt to apologize to him 🙄)
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Post by SockMonkey on Nov 26, 2016 21:39:51 GMT
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
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Post by janeliz on Nov 26, 2016 21:47:05 GMT
I didn't vote for Nikki Haley in either of her runs for Governor here, but I do think she's smart and capable. If she's standing in a room of conservative Republican Governors, she's one of the least objectionable in the bunch. UN Ambassador? I suspect Lucy is right about Trump's motivation, but I'm not gobsmacked by the choice.
I'm very concerned about Betsy DeVos, and am letting my Senators know. She could be truly disastrous for public education in this country.
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Post by hop2 on Nov 26, 2016 22:14:27 GMT
I was surprised by the Nikki Haley appointment it's the closest he's gotten to 'right' in any of the appointments so far but I think lucyg is right about his reasons why. I hope he does more hitting the nail on the head by accident. My young neighbor is a fan of Nikki Haley and thinks she will eventually run for national office and is hoping for her to run for president. I told her not to get her hopes up too high on that one, after recent results she might be too highly qualified.  The rumored appointment of Ben Carson for HUD is sort of bizarre. I sort of expected a 'rich people' developer from Trump for HUD. lol I mean he knows several of those. So Carson could do no worse than one of Trumps buddies making policies that support developing all the land for the wealthy I guess. Weird-HUD was one of my concerns with Trump as a candidate since his thoughts on development are polar opposites of mine, of generally accepted land use theories etc. I would be relieved in an odd way with Ben Carson. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Nov 26, 2016 22:17:51 GMT
I was surprised by the Nikki Haley appointment it's the closest he's gotten to 'right' in any of the appointments so far but I think lucyg is right about his reasons why. I hope he does more hitting the nail on the head by accident. My young neighbor is a fan of Nikki Haley and thinks she will eventually run for national office and is hoping for her to run for president. I told her not to get her hopes up too high on that one, after recent results she might be too highly qualified. The rumored appointment of Ben Carson for HUD is sort of bizarre. I sort of expected a 'rich people' developer from Trump for HUD. lol I mean he knows several of those. So Carson could do no worse than one of Trumps buddies making policies that support developing all the land for the wealthy I guess. Weird-HUD was one of my concerns with Trump as a candidate since his thoughts on development are polar opposites of mine, of generally accepted land use theories etc. I would be relieved in an odd way with Ben Carson. Ben Carson for HUD is totally bizarre. He has zero experience with housing policy or urban planning. But, he's black, so maybe Trump just heard "urban" and assumed it'd be a fit. I wish I was kidding about this. |
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Post by christine58 on Nov 26, 2016 22:34:45 GMT
secretary of Education: Becky DeVos BAD choice.... |
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Post by christine58 on Nov 26, 2016 22:37:13 GMT
My major, major objection is to Betsy DeVos for education secretary. The woman has no background or training in education. Her main interest is in destroying the public education system and she is a huge contributor to Republican causes. She has zero business running the public education system and I am horrified by that appointment. She's pro-common core, pro-vouchers, pro-charter schools---has NO background in education. NONE...Glad I am retiring in June. She is going to destroy public education. Oh and her DH's family...huge pyramid scammers..aka AMWAY |
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Post by hop2 on Nov 26, 2016 22:42:44 GMT
I was surprised by the Nikki Haley appointment it's the closest he's gotten to 'right' in any of the appointments so far but I think lucyg is right about his reasons why. I hope he does more hitting the nail on the head by accident. My young neighbor is a fan of Nikki Haley and thinks she will eventually run for national office and is hoping for her to run for president. I told her not to get her hopes up too high on that one, after recent results she might be too highly qualified. The rumored appointment of Ben Carson for HUD is sort of bizarre. I sort of expected a 'rich people' developer from Trump for HUD. lol I mean he knows several of those. So Carson could do no worse than one of Trumps buddies making policies that support developing all the land for the wealthy I guess. Weird-HUD was one of my concerns with Trump as a candidate since his thoughts on development are polar opposites of mine, of generally accepted land use theories etc. I would be relieved in an odd way with Ben Carson. Ben Carson for HUD is totally bizarre. He has zero experience with housing policy or urban planning. But, he's black, so maybe Trump just heard "urban" and assumed it'd be a fit. I wish I was kidding about this. i totally agree with you that Carson is unqualified and a bizarre choice. However, I was so much more afraid because of Trumps views on planning and zoning. Unless perhaps that's his thought - pick someone one way out of their element and the 'help' (order ) them |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by ellen on Nov 26, 2016 22:53:56 GMT
My major, major objection is to Betsy DeVos for education secretary. The woman has no background or training in education. Her main interest is in destroying the public education system and she is a huge contributor to Republican causes. She has zero business running the public education system and I am horrified by that appointment. She's pro-common core, pro-vouchers, pro-charter schools---has NO background in education. NONE...Glad I am retiring in June. She is going to destroy public education. Oh and her DH's family...huge pyramid scammers..aka AMWAY I feel pretty sick about this one as well, however it's not like she can just do whatever she wants in this position. I always feel like my state and local governments have more of an effect than the federal government on my job as a public school teacher. I do feel like it's vital that in two years we replace my Democratic governor with another one. I will be active in helping to run up numbers in my area. I am thankful that I am in the last few years of my teaching career. We are experiencing a teacher shortage in my state. I predict it will only get worse. SaveI wouSaveI haSaveSaveSaveSave |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 27, 2016 2:22:27 GMT
My major, major objection is to Betsy DeVos for education secretary. The woman has no background or training in education. Her main interest is in destroying the public education system and she is a huge contributor to Republican causes. She has zero business running the public education system and I am horrified by that appointment. She's pro-common core, pro-vouchers, pro-charter schools---has NO background in education. NONE...Glad I am retiring in June. She is going to destroy public education. Oh and her DH's family...huge pyramid scammers..aka AMWAY I'm contacting my senators about this one too. I have a kid in elementary with a LOOONG way to go yet, so this appointment frightens me after everything I've read about DeVos from many sources. As someone who went to a private religious school for elementary and very good public schools for jr high and high school (magnet schools), my experience has been that private school really isn't all that. It would chafe me something fierce to have my tax dollars going to schools like that. I really wouldn't appreciate having kids taking classes in religion instead of science on my dime, especially if that would undercut the opportunities for kids in the regular public schools. Again, where is the separation between church and state here? |
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Deleted
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May 3, 2024 12:24:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2016 2:46:53 GMT
where is the separation between church and state here? Good question. There's nothing wrong with private religious schools as long as they're privately funded. Federal funds going to religious schools is not ok. |
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 27, 2016 2:56:48 GMT
where is the separation between church and state here? Good question. There's nothing wrong with private religious schools as long as they're privately funded. Federal funds going to religious schools is not ok. When all schools have to take all kids, I will be in favor of federal funds being spent at other schools. |
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Post by auntkelly on Nov 27, 2016 3:26:26 GMT
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin was interviewed for Secretary of the Interior last week.
She has served as state representative, congresswoman, lt. governor and now governor. She is very knowledgeable concerning energy issues, Native American issues, farming and ranching matters and tourism.
She has come under a lot of criticism lately for her handling of education in Oklahoma. The state is undergoing a budget crisis and our schools are woefully underfunded. Personally, I think our legislature has more control and is more to blame for the mess our schools are in.
I think Gov. Fallin would be a good choice. She knows the issues, is politically savvy and is a dedicated public servant.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 27, 2016 4:24:45 GMT
Good question. There's nothing wrong with private religious schools as long as they're privately funded. Federal funds going to religious schools is not ok. When all schools have to take all kids, I will be in favor of federal funds being spent at other schools.  That's another one of the issues I have with private schools. Maybe it was just the one I attended, but the well off kids whose parents paid for the new football uniforms or donated large amounts of money for other things were allowed to pretty much do whatever they wanted without any fear of getting kicked out. They ran the halls during class time, back talked, got in fights and caused all kinds of trouble but all of that was overlooked but those kids were allowed to stay in the school. It was nuts. And kids that had learning or other disabilities? Forget that, there weren't any because the school had zero support for that. Free and reduced lunch? Nope, unheard of. And on the other end of the spectrum, the gifted and talented kids had no resources either. |
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AmeliaBloomer
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Posts: 6,842
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Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Nov 27, 2016 4:59:46 GMT
Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University and a member of Trump's Evangelical Advisory Council, says he turned down the Secretary of Education job.
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by DEX on Nov 27, 2016 6:55:09 GMT
Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University and a member of Trump's Evangelical Advisory Council, says he turned down the Secretary of Education job. Thank the Lord! I have said this before: What happened to him saying he was going to hire the "best and the brightest"? I am concerned that the Secretary of Education (a position the PE said wasn't needed) has no background in education.  ETA: I went to Google her to check out her educational background but I couldn't find anything, of course. I did make 1 observation though. Who the heck is her stylist? I am sure her pant suit is by St. John, or some other designer, but it was fugly. |
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Post by gar on Nov 27, 2016 10:59:42 GMT
She's pro-common core, pro-vouchers, pro-charter schools---has NO background in education. NONE...Glad I am retiring in June. She is going to destroy public education. Oh and her DH's family...huge pyramid scammers..aka AMWAY I'm contacting my senators about this one too. I have a kid in elementary with a LOOONG way to go yet, so this appointment frightens me after everything I've read about DeVos from many sources. As someone who went to a private religious school for elementary and very good public schools for jr high and high school (magnet schools), my experience has been that private school really isn't all that. It would chafe me something fierce to have my tax dollars going to schools like that. I really wouldn't appreciate having kids taking classes in religion instead of science on my dime, especially if that would undercut the opportunities for kids in the regular public schools. Again, where is the separation between church and state here? I read that she's a believer in Creationism - is that true? |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 27, 2016 20:29:47 GMT
I'm contacting my senators about this one too. I have a kid in elementary with a LOOONG way to go yet, so this appointment frightens me after everything I've read about DeVos from many sources. As someone who went to a private religious school for elementary and very good public schools for jr high and high school (magnet schools), my experience has been that private school really isn't all that. It would chafe me something fierce to have my tax dollars going to schools like that. I really wouldn't appreciate having kids taking classes in religion instead of science on my dime, especially if that would undercut the opportunities for kids in the regular public schools. Again, where is the separation between church and state here? I read that she's a believer in Creationism - is that true? I'm not sure and will need to research more, but I found this on the patheos.com website: |
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That's another one of the issues I have with private schools. Maybe it was just the one I attended, but the well off kids whose parents paid for the new football uniforms or donated large amounts of money for other things were allowed to pretty much do whatever they wanted without any fear of getting kicked out. They ran the halls during class time, back talked, got in fights and caused all kinds of trouble but all of that was overlooked but those kids were allowed to stay in the school. It was nuts.
