9 Comments

I'm somewhat disappointed in your take on the Hegseth nomination. I disagree that the "advice and consent" clause should be interpreted as "the President gets whoever they want because they won the election".

Also, as far as being in a holding pattern, I'd encourage you to consider what happens when people wait and hope for the best, in these situations. https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska-paperback/9780803269316/the-approaching-fury/

Finally, we allowed Supreme Court Justices to take seats on thin promises of holding to precedent and norms, only to see that was a lie crafted to gain office by deception. We can't sit by while liars and grifters take our highest offices.

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Those are EXCELLENT counter points. Do you mind if I share them next week? (Assuming it fits and all that. And if so, could I get a first name and even maybe a state or city? Because I think that's is just a well-stated counter argument to the position I took.) Thanks!

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I am John from the Maine Woods !

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Perfect. Thanks, brother!

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Good show. Get well.

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Use what you like. No problem.

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The only person who thinks he is a change agent for DOD in the hearing was Mr. Hegseth. Is he up to the task as SECDEF? That is TBD, although prior performance is not an indicator of future performance it does inform. We elect Senators who make that evaluation to make that decision and that is where I will focus my effort. Senator Tilis is up for reelection next year. I will see how he votes and how Mr. Hegseth performs.

Why am I skeptical about Mr. Hegseth as the change agent. What is the SECDEF responsible for:

1. Industrial base: The numbers are staggering reference Figure 1, page 7 Commercial Sector, Figure 3. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47751

2. Train and equip Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen to support the Component Commands. The size of that force is about 2.8 million.

3. Component Commands: Deployments to support the Component Commands in EUCOM, PACOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, NORTHCOM, and Korea that are estimated at 156,000 service members in 2024.

4. Allie Engagement and NATO: we live in a world with State and non-State actors who want to see the USA fail. To do that they will seek daylight with our allies.

5. Finally, there are the intelligence agencies within DOD that must continue with their mission such as NSA, NGA, DIA.

The bottom line is the SECDEF is one man. Mr. Hegseth is only useful until he is not. Trump already has doubts about him if you believe the reports on DeSantis last month.

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Dang, that's amazing feedback, brother. Do you mind if I share this if I can squeeze it in?

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Thanks, brother! Would love to hear your thoughts on the Sec Def nomimee, even if they're off the record. (You can even email me privately if you wish: stanrmitchell2012@gmail.com). But no pressure. Thanks again!

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