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Jim Mattis, Marine legend who became Trump's 'Mad Dog' Pentagon chief, prepares for media blitz
The Washington Examiner ^ | September 01, 2019 09:26 AM | Russ Read

Posted on 09/01/2019 9:26:56 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

While famously media shy during his time in government, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis offered a brief glimpse into his thoughts on today’s political environment in an essay and interview last week, but the appearance left several questions unanswered.

These rare media appearances are not random, as Mattis will be appearing at several events in the coming days to promote his new book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. The two pieces delve into why the former Marine Corps general chose to serve as secretary of defense and why he resigned. There are some new details about the journey, but his thoughts on several key points remain unclear. One common theme is his desire to stay above the fray when it comes to politics.

“He felt as a Marine, when he was asked to serve the country there was no question he was going to serve. Period. He felt he was capable of doing it and it never occurred to him to say no,” Bing West, Mattis’ co-author, told the Washington Examiner. “He was asked by the commander in chief to do a mission, he said I’m going to do the mission.”

But Mattis resigned less than two years later, citing policy differences with President Trump. “I had no choice but to leave,” Mattis told the Atlantic.

According to his resignation letter, Mattis left due to concerns regarding the administration’s relationship with key military allies. While he does not accuse Trump of disregarding them outright, he did say the president has “the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours.”

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


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mattis; mattisbook
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To: ryderann

I think we need to start a list of scum-sucking backstabbers:

1. McCain
2. Romney
3. Ryan
4. OmaRosa
5. Preibus ?
5. Cohen
6. Scaramucci
7. Mattis

.........to be continued. I do like your list though...;)


21 posted on 09/01/2019 10:20:53 AM PDT by Dawgreg
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To: All; Jeff Chandler; Alberta's Child; uncbob; The Unknown Republican

Personally, do not know how each candidate was selected!

Who made the list of those qualified, available and suggested those selected? Preibus? Ryan? Sessions? McConnell? White house staff? Members of congress?

Not sure anyone on the outside knows. If anyone has that information, PLEASE, let it be known.

Personally, do not like some of his picks, but not going to put down President Trump because of someone else!!

jmho.


22 posted on 09/01/2019 10:21:28 AM PDT by pilgrim
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To: conservative98; vetvetdoug; ryderann
Good to see that the venerable FR tradition of never reading the article is still intact.

Mattis hasn't "vilified" "backstabbed" or "undermined" Trump, as this paragraph conveniently included in the article makes clear:

Mattis’ refusal to weigh in on Trump directly is one of the aspects of his military background he has maintained even after leaving office. This devoir de reserve, as Mattis put it, “the duty of silence” when you leave an administration, has frustrated his critics who say he should speak out.

23 posted on 09/01/2019 10:33:04 AM PDT by Pelham (Secure Voter ID. Mexico has it, because unlike us they take voting seriously)
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To: Alberta's Child

You mean as opposed to citing some radical leftist as backup?


24 posted on 09/01/2019 10:37:08 AM PDT by Pelham (Secure Voter ID. Mexico has it, because unlike us they take voting seriously)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Mattis was on “CBS Sunday Morning.” He was promoting his new book.

He said he resigned because he was opposed to the president pulling U.S. troops out of Syria. He said that was done in Iraq (by Obama) and it was a mistake.

Mattis also said he won’t criticize a sitting president.
It was clear he had no use at all for Obama.


25 posted on 09/01/2019 10:43:34 AM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation (Ban liberals, NOT guns.)
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To: Alberta's Child

Mattis said this morning he never liked that nickname.


26 posted on 09/01/2019 10:44:44 AM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation (Ban liberals, NOT guns.)
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To: Alberta's Child

“I think anyone who has a nickname like ‘Mad Dog’ is probably a fraud and a wimp.”

Like the 6’8” 400 lb guy nicknamed “Tiny”.


27 posted on 09/01/2019 10:47:45 AM PDT by bk1000 (I stand with Trump)
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To: Jeff Chandler

“...bad judge of character....”

The President listens to his advisors and then make’s decisions. On paper, Mattis looked perfect. On the job, not so much!


28 posted on 09/01/2019 10:47:49 AM PDT by elpadre (AfganistaMr Obama said theoal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda" and its allies.)
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To: elpadre

I think Trump is a good judge. He gets rid of people when they screw up and he is constantly improves the lineup. Bush? Did nothing.


29 posted on 09/01/2019 11:02:01 AM PDT by conservative98
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

30 posted on 09/01/2019 11:03:34 AM PDT by MarvinStinson
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To: ryderann

scum-sucking backstabbers:

Thumb sucking crybabies ??


31 posted on 09/01/2019 11:09:03 AM PDT by litehaus (A memory toooo long.............)
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To: Jeff Chandler

Yet we all cheered when “Mad Dog” was appointed.


32 posted on 09/01/2019 11:13:59 AM PDT by SamAdams76
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To: Jeff Chandler
When it comes to executive hires, President Trump appears to be a bad judge of character.

It would appear so. Maybe he simply wants to believe the best about someone? Napoleon was the same way. He often had incompetent or disloyal people around him whom he personally liked.

33 posted on 09/01/2019 11:18:21 AM PDT by Sans-Culotte (If it weren't for fake hate crimes, there would be no hate crimes at all.)
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To: july4thfreedomfoundation

Mattis earned his say with his 40 + years in the military, much of it in high command..Trump picked him, touted him, and they grew to disagree on Iran, Syria, Israel, etc..2 Hard driving Type A guys who are use to getting their way.....Mattis did the right thing resigning...Nobody likes a Rat, especially the Military, I don’t expect Mattis to pull a Clapper or Brennan.....


34 posted on 09/01/2019 11:49:22 AM PDT by jacknyc
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To: Alberta's Child

“I’m more scared of the guy who has NO nickname.”

Chesty Puller?
Howlin’ Mad Smith?
Brute Krulak?
Fighting Joe Dunford?
Manila John Basilone?
Pappy Boyington?


35 posted on 09/01/2019 11:51:26 AM PDT by dsc (Our system of government cannot survive one-party control of communications.)
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To: pilgrim
Personally, do not like some of his picks, but not going to put down President Trump because of someone else!!

As I see it, Trump didn't have any 'insiders' when he walked into the cesspool of Washington...He had to chose from what was available, picking out what were the best positives for his plans even tho some had some negative proclivities...

I believe Trump gave many the courage to come out of the dark and step into the limelight...Devin Nunes and others come to mind...

36 posted on 09/01/2019 11:53:20 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: MarvinStinson

Now that’s funny...


37 posted on 09/01/2019 11:55:10 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: Pelham

I said I look to see a campaign to vilify the President by Mattis. Mattis said he wouldn’t criticize a sitting President but I’m betting to sell the book he will.


38 posted on 09/01/2019 12:02:54 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Next up, a desk at CNN.


39 posted on 09/01/2019 12:17:48 PM PDT by jazminerose (Adorable Deplorable)
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To: neverevergiveup

BUMP.
On the money.


40 posted on 09/01/2019 12:19:27 PM PDT by Cboldt
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