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Trump picks Elaine Chao for transportation secretary
CNN ^ | 11/29/2016 | Phil Mattingly

Posted on 11/29/2016 8:22:31 AM PST by usafa92

(CNN)President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Elaine Chao, the former labor secretary and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to be his choice for transportation secretary, an official briefed on the matter told CNN on Tuesday.

The announcement is expected to come this afternoon. Chao served as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009 -- the longest tenure in the position since World War II -- and has been married to McConnell since 1993. She was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a Cabinet position.

Chao also served as the deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991. Following her time in government, Chao has held a position as a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation in addition to conducting media appearances.

At the Transportation Department, Chao would have a key role in helping Trump get an infrastructure spending bill passed through Congress and start government-backed works projects -- a role likely to be complicated by her relationship with McConnell, who will also be a critical player in any infrastructure bill negotiations.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: chao; elainechao; mcconnell; trumpcabinet; trumpmcconnell; trumptransition; trumptransportation
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To: central_va
We two are old enough campaigners to know that it is a very treacherous undertaking for the president to interfere with the prerogatives of the Senate. When VP John Adams started lecturing the Senate ex officio he was firmly made to understand the limits of his influence. So it has been between the administration and the Senate ever since.

Very few presidents have been able to influence the Senate on its structure and operating procedures, although some presidents, especially Lyndon Johnson and FDR, have had great success in securing the legislation they desire. Typically, presidents go around the house and the Senate to the people to create the atmosphere in which the legislators are eager to do the presidents will because it has become the people's will.

That is the challenge for Donald Trump. He certainly is not going to get far by trying to bulldoze senators, indeed, he will be handcuffed if he tries. But that does not mean that he has to stamp his imprimatur, to lend the Great Seal of the President of the United States as it were to as despicable a man as Mitch McConnell by placing his wife in a high administration position.

Trump should set up a parallel line of funding for those senators willing to buck McConnell because it is McConnell's largess of campaign funds that keep him in power and he gets those funds by playing a K St. game, exploiting crony capitalism and operating as the Uni-party. Trump will find the McConnell is perhaps an even worse enemy than Chuck Schumer. McConnell has already spoken out against term limits as well as the nuclear option. After hearing these expressions of damnable establishment sellout, it was wrong for Trump to appear to lend approval to the same man by hiring his wife.

A clever president will pick issues which will force McConnell to expose himself to the public for what he is or to abandon his K St. benefactors.

Meanwhile, we should get out of the habit of endorsing every move Donald Trump makes merely because he makes it.

Finally, earlier today I expressed my view on how we should praise, support, or criticize in good faith our President-elect here.


141 posted on 11/29/2016 11:46:08 AM PST by nathanbedford (attack, repeat, attack! Bull Halsey)
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To: TBP

so they say. I have spent many clock hours reading the pros about how its really neo-marxism. Traceable to the Soviets. Bringing it closer to home Bill Ayers...remember that guy out of Chicago. Daddy Ayers and Brother John are big supporters of choice. Carnegie Foundation proposal back in 1934.
It is being pushed for a reason and its not about getting poor middle-class taxpayers rebates.
http://abcsofdumbdown.blogspot.com/2014/06/carnegie-corporation-behind-school.html


142 posted on 11/29/2016 11:55:24 AM PST by magna carta
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To: TBP

Agree 100 percent


143 posted on 11/29/2016 12:08:37 PM PST by MacArthur
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To: thinden

Agreed. His picks have been great. Chao is better than I originally read. (need to stay away from MSM)

The idea of Romney makes me uneasy, but I guess I should trust the boss. LOL


144 posted on 11/29/2016 12:19:37 PM PST by madison10 (Almost disenfranchised Michigander....)
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To: xzins

“It’s the China connection: “Elaine Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan….”

To be sure it’s that pesky China connection. Chao’e parents may have gone to Taiwan after the revolution but what ties remained? I recall reading that Chao’s parents (father?) stayed in touch with a family friend. That friend eventually attained some level of senior leadership in the Red Chinese government. Sometime in the past 5-6 years, family ties were publicized during a visit by a senior Chinese official if not head-of-state.

Appearance of conflict being one thing, it’s bad enough she’s married to McConnell. I wouldn’t push the envelope further by appointing her to a Cabinet position. DOT may be some relative backwater but she’ll be docking at Cabinet where all level of cargo is off-on loaded.


145 posted on 11/29/2016 12:26:41 PM PST by Huaynero
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To: madison10

I feel bout same as you on mitt, but willing to trust the boss here too.

My memory keeps trying to bring up a tie in to elaine caio back to the xlintonistas????

There is something about her in the way back machine


146 posted on 11/29/2016 12:33:48 PM PST by thinden
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To: Huaynero

She’s a smart lady. In fact, she’s the epitome of the arranged marriage, political, economic and social success, and elevation to current key position.

If still in China, she would be lionized.


147 posted on 11/29/2016 12:36:41 PM PST by xzins
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To: usafa92

a role likely to be complicated by her relationship with McConnell, who will also be a critical player in any infrastructure bill negotiations.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mitch will have to play it straight, no earmarks, or no lovins for him at the old hacienda!


148 posted on 11/29/2016 12:44:50 PM PST by Candor7 ( Obama fascism article:(http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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To: Candor7

No one will ever agree 100% with all the picks but I am a happy camper that we ARE NOT SEEING any democrats and communists that would have come from a Hillary Presidency!!!! Be thankful folks, and wait to complain until after Trump has been in office awhile...


149 posted on 11/29/2016 12:57:22 PM PST by princess leah
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To: thinden

There is something. I cannot remember.


150 posted on 11/29/2016 12:59:53 PM PST by madison10 (Almost disenfranchised Michigander....)
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To: Paladin2

The insider’s insider........


151 posted on 11/29/2016 1:24:52 PM PST by Nextrush (Freedom is everybody's business: Remember Pastor Niemoller)
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To: usafa92

I just hope she and Trump will return all gas can spouts to their previous design and do away with the Obama spouts.


152 posted on 11/29/2016 1:25:45 PM PST by mikhailovich
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To: Lurkinanloomin

It doesn’t smell right, I’ve seen sellouts to McConnell for years including Rand Paul’s.

I don’t like it.


153 posted on 11/29/2016 1:26:03 PM PST by Nextrush (Freedom is everybody's business: Remember Pastor Niemoller)
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To: princess leah

For the record Leah, I think that Elaine Chao is a great pick for Trump. She is experienced, nuanced and will do a great job. The plus factor is that Elaine can bend Mitch like a bobby pin if he does not act in good faith.Trump knows what he is doing....”leverage.”


154 posted on 11/29/2016 1:34:02 PM PST by Candor7 ( Obama fascism article:(http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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To: usafa92

Not great she is mcconnels,wife.

Good that at least Heritage Foundation feels comfident in her. Maybe she doesnt do too much there for them.


155 posted on 11/29/2016 1:49:59 PM PST by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Walkingfeather
I know. Trump is almost god like. He is way beyond mere mortal. Since Bush had her in his cabinet, I guess Bush is also way beyond the horizon that most can see.

I don't know how others even breathe around Trump.

You know, it's nice to be excited about Trump, but remind yourself from time to time, he is mortal. Don't make him a demigod.

156 posted on 11/29/2016 2:13:23 PM PST by Dave W
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To: Secret Agent Man

One big question this pick raises is whether Mark Levin will have a coronary or an aneurysm on his show tonight.
I predict a three hour rant about this singular pick...unless he strokes out early.


157 posted on 11/29/2016 2:46:12 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Listening now. Yes he isn’t pleased. Not that happy about Tom Price either.


158 posted on 11/29/2016 3:29:58 PM PST by SweetPatriot84
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To: TheStickman

“Hmmm....I think we are safe from that happening as Mittens hasn’t been mentioned as SoD.”

You know full well I meant Sec of State. That he’s even talking to that lowlife POS is a disgrace.


159 posted on 11/29/2016 3:41:34 PM PST by NKP_Vet (In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle,stand like a rock ~ T, Jefferson)
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To: NKP_Vet

“You know full well I meant Sec of State. “

Ah, you read minds too. Interesting. Do your best to stay as mad at Trump as you wanna. Trump knows what he is doing. We do not.


160 posted on 11/29/2016 5:04:12 PM PST by TheStickman (And their fear tastes like sunshine puked up by a unicorn.)
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