Posted on 11/24/2016 7:30:25 PM PST by Innovative
Rival factions of Republicans are locked in an increasingly caustic and public battle to influence President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice for secretary of state, leaving a prominent hole in an otherwise quickly formed national security team that is unlikely to be filled until next week at the earliest.
The debate inside Mr. Trump’s wide circle of formal and informal advisers — pitting supporters of one leading contender, Mitt Romney, against those of another, Rudolph W. Giuliani — has led to the kind of dramatic airing of differences that characterized Mr. Trump’s unconventional and often squabbling campaign team. And it traces the outlines of the enduring split in the Republican Party between establishment figures who scoffed at Mr. Trump’s chances of victory and the grass-roots insurgents who backed him as a disrupter of the Washington power structure.
The most publicly vocal faction has been the group opposed to Mr. Romney, which has questioned whether he would be loyal after his searing criticism of Mr. Trump during the campaign. But Mr. Trump himself has told aides that he believes Mr. Romney “looks the part” and would make a fine secretary of state, a senior Trump official said on Thursday. Mr. Trump, who is always difficult to read and is capable of changing his mind at any minute, has also praised Mr. Giuliani in recent conversations with acquaintances.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Where’s that photo of Romney and his pals, laughing their off, signing the Massachusetts Extortion-Care bill?
FUMR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bolton wants to invade Syria and Iran to nation build them into western democracies. Trump has other priorities.
They couldn't be more transparently slanted. They just can't help themselves.
They're a laughingstock...
Petraues.
I think it works for everyone.
Corker, Kelly, Gulliani, Petraeus, Romney
One take away from this article is that Prebus advocated that Trump NOT interview Romney. Conway and Bannon are not hot for him either.
Could it be someone in the family who is pushing this?
I would strongly prefer Rudy for SoS.
I trust Trump to do what is right.
If Trumpster had to make a deal
with Bishop Willard to stop his
independent try for the presidency,
then whatever.
I agree. John Bolton would be a good choice. Romney? I don’t think so. He burned his bridge to the ground and I don’t have any evidence he’d even be good at that job. Whatever Trump decides, though, is his choice and he seems to be making good choices.
I want Kellyanne Conway to be SOS
If there is any question on which one ... Romney trashed Trump for months... he partook of the establishment’s dislike of Trump and spoke against him with some pretty strong accusations. Look at colen powell.. he was not a Republican nor was he a man one could trust... that was not a wise selection and Romney is not a wise selection... he cannot be trusted.
On the otherhand, Giuliani has been a trusted ally of Trump’s since day one, and is qualified to do this, as well as many other slots. I don’t know if he wants that position (I can’t imagine the travel and all required taking him away from home turf for much of that tenure), but if he did, it would be a slap in the face to deny him, for all Giuliani did for Trump when The Donald needed him. Trump can’t just appoint Romney and not have an honest discussion with Giuliani as to what the reason is for his choice.. and any time I’ve heard Giuliani speak on this, he has not indicated such.
President Trump beat 12 candidates from Mitt Romney’s faction. Mitt would be a poor choice for any important job in the Trump Administration.
Mitt Romney can SAD after all the trouble he caused for the last year.
I don’t trust that snake Romney either.
Just the simple business of due diligence. Trump excels at it and nobody will be able to fracture the new party because of claims of building walls within it.
I sent an email to Trump and said that if mittens is his SOS, I want my money back {thousands of dollars}.
No chance that will happen, but at least they know where I stand.
FUMR
Don't have to trust Romney if you trust Trump - who has earned our trust.
Please knock it off with the open borders crowd. Those two would sign up to take in millions without batting an eyelash.
I guess the NYT doesn’t understand the process. The President Elect makes the selection, not Republican public opinion.
neother is as good as B O L T O N who knows his stuff and woudl excel and do a great job...
Here’s what i think.... Mittens and Rudy both have presidential aspirations...
and want the visibility...
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