Donald Trump Would Reconsider Bannon’s Role on National Security Council If Asked, White House Says

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Feb. 21, 2017 | REBECCA BALLHAUS and TED MANN

[proust]

me too, very underrated.

[papertyger]

The only thing I'm angry about is how the GOP Congress is dragging their feet, not confirming his nominees or putting bills on his desk.

We can never forget that while we are them, they are definitely not us.

[mac_truck]

Still waiting to hear whether KT McFarland keeps her job.

[gaijin]

[BobL]

Trump needs Bannon to PROTECT him politically, especially with Acosta there...who may well be part of a 5th Column.

Bannon’s value is that he UNDERSTANDS THE BASE (i.e. the FReepers that are not NeverTrumpers) and will warn Trump when Deep State is again setting him up. I love having Bannon there, just for that reason.

Trump needs his political side watching out for him, EVERYWHERE as the pitchforks are out after him...regardless of how nice and accommodating he tries to be.

[little jeremiah]

I really, really like Bannon and I want him right where he is. I think Bannon is a genius, with heart, and tremendous insight and knowledge. And guts.

[Hostage]

The way it works at the top of the food chain:

1. Flag officers offered roles of responsibility want a complete field in which to operate. Because they think in terms of responsibility, they are very focused on communications because any problem in communications, no matter how small, can grow into a larger problem for which the noose is placed around their neck. So, they want people around them to be completely in tune with their thoughts and instructions. No tolerance for error.

(I’ve actually witnessed the fallout when two flag ranking officers are ready to kill each other over a mistake made by underlings and for which a mutual schedule is impacted. So at this level, the word ‘big’ does not always describe adequately the egos involved. On the other hand, I have seen flag rank officers that are calm, gracious, unemotional and trusting but commanding inside a situation gone bad)

2. The President receives daily National Security briefings and we can imagine that most if not all of these are attended by the Director of National Security. However, a written briefing for the President’s eyes only and those of his circles like Mr. Bannon and VP Pence is handed to the President and he necessarily must review its contents or place complete trust in either Advisor Bannon or VP Pence, or other persons.

3. Other eyes on the written briefing can be a cause of concern, can be, because the chain of responsibility may be looped and made less direct. This can interfere with the Director’s trust and vice versa. It takes a little while for the parties to understand how to work together and execute flawlessly. But it must be flawless.

4. In order to be economical with time, the President may outline some broad considerations that he wants the Director to consider or act on. These communications may come through Advisor Bannon and conversely, the Director may hand a briefing for Mr. Bannon’s review before finalizing and attending the briefing.

So, the bottom line is the time management facilitated for the President must be as efficient and complete as possible. It is critical that the President give and receive communications to and from his circle without any problems.

Now as to this possible bit of ‘fake news’, it could be from the President as a head fake to see again who the leakers are, or it could be an invitation to see how McMaster responds.

Many have said McMaster is an excellent choice because of his exemplary combat performance as a Colonel in Iraq. But a funny thing happens to the minds of Colonels on their way into the flag ranks and especially the highest levels of the White House. The become increasingly political.

McMaster is said to be a disciple of Petraeus. That statement was made in a sea of Oohrahs as support for such a wise choice. If it is true that McMaster is a disciple of Petraeus, I am not feeling as enthusiastic as I would be if he weren’t.

[heights]

Bye bYE Bannon

[little jeremiah]

Remind me of who she is. I knew yesterday but forgot.

[little jeremiah]

Thank you for that explanation. I am very ignorant of military matters.

I do not like that McMasters called ISIS a “perversion” of Islam. It is, on the contrary, the very essence of Islamic ideology, history, and tradition.

[Texas Fossil]

It’s not going to happen.

[AC Beach Patrol]

Yeah, Bannon has quite a background, with degrees from Georgetown and an MBA from Harvard, an officer in the U.S. Navy for 7 years, VP at Goldman Sachs, founder of major media outlets, entertainment producer, et al. I WANT this guy as Trump’s confidant!.

[BigEdLB]

Ever since being elected POTUS has been operating on a different plane than anyone else in recent history. Best to sit back and watch the whole thing unfold.

[Hostage]

Not sure 100% if Spicer put that out or not, but I don’t see it as a negative. Remember the President wrote the Art of the Deal. It costs nothing for him to put out what the WSJ is reporting was said by Spicer.

Remember when the President as President-Elect held so many meetings with Romney? Remember how the press was near certain that Romney would be offered the job as Secretary of Treasury or of State?

Until it happens, it’s just talk.

The bit of rumor about the Admiral turning it down because of Bannon? Very likely BS. Very likely either scumbags in the press either wished it were so because they hate Bannon or because Bannon had some dirt on the Admiral. Recall that the flag ranks were all approved by Obama so they are not immune from that sick political periphery.

[txhurl]

I know it takes time to line up the ducks in order take out as many leftists with one shot, but I wish Bannon would give us some corpses. I trust him explicity and am so relieved he never wound up on the left’s radar until the election.

[aragona]

I watched the press briefing and heard the comments by Spicer. The WSJ is deliberately misleading to hurt Bannon.

[Alberta's Child]

I think Bannon’s position as an advisor to Trump is secure. I have often wondered of late what exactly his particular qualifications are in national security matters.

[veracious]

My sources say Bannon converted to Islam. I suspect they are correct. Are we just going around on a merry-go-round? Do the usurping powers in DC, think we are that past recovery? Dumb as sheep? Unable to counter-attack the gains of the last 8 years and longer... I hope not. We cannot let the _political_parties_ run USA. USConstitution and lawful law, must rule. Or USA has perished.

[txhurl]

Begone, crackhead.

[M. Thatcher]

Someone tell me this is a lie, please.

Trump himself said it days ago, when the other guy ("shit sandwich") was under consideration. He wants the new guy's input on forming the team and if the new guy recommends Bannon not be included, Trump would "consider" that recommendation.

There really could be no other position for Trump to hold on this, sorry.