Frank Gaffney for Homeland Security Secretary?

Frank Gaffney bio - Center for Security Policy ^

[Fatalis]

Now that Kerik and Lieberman are out, who would be a good choice to head the Department of Homeland Security?

How about Frank Gaffney? He's well informed on foreign and domestic security issues, and is well connected in Washington.

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.
President & CEO, The Center for Security Policy

In April 1987, Mr. Gaffney was nominated by President Reagan to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, the senior position in the Defense Department with responsibility for policies involving nuclear forces, arms control and U.S.-European defense relations. He acted in that capacity for seven months during which time, he was the Chairman of the prestigious High Level Group, NATO's senior politico-military committee. He also represented the Secretary of Defense in key U.S.-Soviet negotiations and ministerial meetings.

From August 1983 until November 1987, Mr. Gaffney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy under Assistant Secretary Richard Perle. From February 1981 to August 1983, Mr. Gaffney was a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Senator John Tower (R-Texas). In the latter 1970's, Mr. Gaffney served as an aide to the late Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-Washington) in the areas of defense and foreign policy.

Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz are also Scoop Jackson alumni.

[Fatalis]

What do Freepers think?

[Fatalis]

What do you think?

[Sthitch]

He would be a great adviser, but what DHS needs is a ball breaker to whip the organization into order. I think that Jack Welsh would be a better bet.

[Personal Responsibility]

I have heard him on various talk radio shows and I always like listening to him. He is really intelligent and displays actual, honest-to-goodness common sense. He is definitely the kind of guy we need as the head of Homeland Security.

[AreaMan]

Mr. Gaffney? Hell, yeah.

Unfortunately he has his head screwed on right when it comes to the border issue, which would interfere with the money making process, so I doubt he will ever be nominated.

[Fatalis]

We can appoint ballbreakers as Undersecretaries. We need someone at the top who can articulate a clear vision of the the threats we face, and someone who had that vision before 9/11. It's a short list, and Gaffney's on it.

[JWhipps]

Interesting choice.

I'd agree, in principle - but I second the notion that it needs to be a hardcase.

(I would call Ollie North... just to piss off the libs... but I doubt he'd have a shot. For a lot of reasons.)

[Fatalis]

Gaffney has also worked closely with Senator John Kyl on various domestic security hearings. His extensive media contacts would also serve him well.

[TFine80]

I think the Dems would try to block the nomination... Gaffney's said some pretty aggressive things over the years.

[SoFloFreeper]

Joe Lieberman is a real patriot, you know? I mean, he must really think he can do a lot for the nation by rejecting an opportunity to be the DHS.

[Fatalis]

North would never be confirmed. I don't know if Gaffney could get nominated, but he would surely be confirmed if he were sent up to the Hill.

[Guillermo]

The guy doesn't ass kiss the Mohammedans, so he is not a good choice.

[Texas Songwriter]

Gafney would be an excellent choice. His best attribute is the fact that he drives liberals crazy. He is not touchy feely except with 500 pound bombs. I have heard him speak to the fact we need to control our borders. He would be an excellent choice. Confirmantion would be tough, but he would get thru. Lord help us is Lieberman is chosen.

[Sthitch]

No, for a Department that needs as much fixing as DHS, you need it to come from the top. Jack Welsh would be able to articulate the vision, and more importantly ensure that it would be carried out.

[Fatalis]

House Rules Chairman David Dreier has said that Lieberman was instrumental in blocking the Sensenbrenner provision from the recent 9/11 bill, and that Lieberman would not be a good choice for DHS. Dreier is a key Bush ally, and I'm skeptical that the Bush Administration was as hot for Lieberman as has been reported.

[Texas Songwriter]

Had not thought of Olie. He would be my number 1 choice. The entertainment value of the confirmation hearings would be choice. In the end the republicans would give Bush his nominee.

[Fatalis]

Are you talking about Jack Welsh of General Electric?

[JWhipps]

I doubt he'd ever be confirmed, myself. Ollie, however, is _the man_.

[Sthitch]

Yes. I doubt that he would take it, but I think that he would be the best choice. Let Gaffney take over Condi's spot, that would really drive the libs nuts, as they cannot do anything to stop that.