Trump says he's consulted Obama on Cabinet picks

Politico ^ | December 7, 2016 | Liam Neeson

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President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is taking advice on his political appointees from the man he spent months railing against on the campaign trail: President Barack Obama.

Trump said on NBC’s “Today” that he has sought the president’s advice on the candidates for various appointment-level positions and, in at least one case so far, has acted on that advice.

“I have asked him what he would think of this one and that one,” Trump said. “I would say that, yes, I take his recommendations very seriously, and there are some people that I will be appointing, and in one case have appointed, where he thought very highly of that person, yes.”

(Snip)

"I will say this, I've now gotten to know President Obama. I really like him. We have — I think, I can say at least for myself, I can't speak for him, but we have a really good chemistry together. We talk,” Trump said. “He loves the country. He wants to do right by the country and for the country. And I will tell you, we obviously very much disagree on certain policies and certain things, but, you know, I really like him as a person.”

“I’ve asked him what he thinks are the biggest problems of the country, what are some of the greatest assets going forward. And we have a very good dialogue,” he continued. “And I must tell you, I never met him before this and never spoke to him before this. I really, I do like him. I love getting his ideas. And I may differ in many cases. I differ very greatly in many cases.”

[NEMDF]

EXACTLY!

Trump: Barack, what do you think of Mattis for DOD?

0bama: Bad idea, find someone else.

Trump: OK thanks for the feedback. Tweet: Mattis for DOD! WINNING

[Gaffer]

If I ever got face-to-face with that POS Obama, the first thing I’d keep saying to myself is that he’s an effing Muslim. That’s all I need to know.

[factoryrat]

I think that this is Trump stringing obama along, in an attempt to keep obama from going full tilt scorched earth in his last days as _resident.

We’re not out of the woods until January 21st. Obama can wreak havoc until then.

[DoodleDawg]

That would explain Ben Carson.

[Gaffer]

This a$$hole went off the deep end when his wife bulldozed a tree while ‘skiing’. The tree won.

[butlerweave]

Obama says “he’s good” then Trump crosses him off his list

[COBOL2Java]

Oh noes! He talked to Obama! Trump's a turncoat!

This insane overreaction brought to you by the makers of Thorazine suppositories...

[Red Steel]

Really? Then he can take his “a$$hole” self to the EPA to take them apart.

[Red Steel]

Disregard last post LoL. Wrong thread and wrong guy.

Yeah, Neeson is an ass.

[bgill]

That’s fine. Six more weeks of kissing up so our Terrorist in Chief doesn’t do something irreparable.

[relictele]

Obama said ‘A cabinet? What’s that? I just have Valerie.’

[uncitizen]

Well Obama doesn’t need a cabinet. remember? He knows more than all those people.

[PCPOET7]

I bet you offer to your family a lot of cookies this year.

[pepsi_junkie]

Trump is interviewing RINOs like Romney. He says he's consulting with Obama regularly. He says he is going to "work something out" for selected illegal immigrants (I refuse to give them the spin-tested "dreamers" label). What gives, did he play us for fools?

In such situations I like to apply a little mental game: assume Trump isn't stupid, isn't flip flopping, and has a strategic purpose to all he says and does. If that's the case, what all of the above?

Here's what I came up with:

1. There are stupid safety pin wearing snowflakes all around the nation, hyperventilating that Trump is going to nuke everyone. Stating that he is in regular conversation with Obama gives those snowflakes a reason to calm down down a tad. He looks like he's seeking alternate points of view, even if so far not one of his cabinet appointments appears to be someone Obama would have wanted or approved of. In other words, it's a symbolic gesture to those who are upset, a way to appear magnanimous.
2. Including Romney in the interview process is a nod to the RINO wing, especially Romney-bots line Ryan. Doesn't have to hire him, has to look like he's open to working with them and again, it's purely symbolic and is planned to help him get the congressional RINOs in line.
3. "Working something out" regarding illegals who came here as minors: he said this same thing during the campaign to Hannity. Hence he won't be flip flopping if he does it. I don't think this one is symbolic. I think he has compassion for them because in most cases it was their parents decision to break the law, not their own. A concession (maybe a special visa program?) for these few will soften the hammer he brings down on the majority that he's going to ouster.

/end of thought experiment.

[Peter ODonnell]

My theory (and it is mine) is that Trump is making nice with Obama until Jan 21, then he can arrest him.

[BBB333]

And also on carpet choices...replace everything!

[uncbob]

I am sure Obama suggested all those retired generals

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Nope. See post 3.

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Actually, he said there was one pick Obama liked, and I would bet that is the pick. Mattis seems to be liked on both sides of the aisle.

[mj1234]

Nope—

They are getting— Humble pie!- LOL