Politics Thread

[paulxu]

Mike Pence, former Vice President

“The American people deserve to know that President Trump asked me to put him over my oath to the Constitution,” Pence said in his interview with Fox News. “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”

James Mattis, former Defense Secretary

“We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution,” Mattis said.
After the January 6, 2021 insurrection, Mattis accused Trump of using his position to “destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens.”

Mark Esper, former Defense Secretary

In March of this year, he told HBO’s Bill Maher that “there’s no way” he would support Trump in November because he believes the former president “is a threat to democracy.”
“I think he’s unfit for office,” he said in another interview. “He puts himself before country. His actions are all about him and not about the country

Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

According to reports, Milley called Trump’s efforts to overturn the election a “Reichstag moment,” referring to the Nazis’ suspension of civil liberties in Germany. Milley called Trump’s false statements about election fraud “the gospel of the Fuhrer.”

John Kelly, 4 star Marine General, former WH Chief of Staff

“What’s going on in the country that a single person thinks this guy would still be a good president when he’s said the things he’s said and done the things he’s done?” Kelly, a retired Marine Corps four-star general, told the Washington Post. “It’s beyond my comprehension he has the support he has.”

HR McMaster, former National Security Advisor

McMaster told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Trump had incited the riot through “sustained disinformation… spreading these unfounded conspiracy theories.” He accused Trump of “anti-leadership” and “undermining rule of law.”
“We saw the absence of leadership, really anti-leadership, and what that can do to our country.”

Just a few of the "best people" and what they thought after being exposed to an unqualified president. Their opinions should have some weight.

[GoMuskies]

Thanks Paul. Would be great if the alternative didn't suck as bad or worse.

[Xville]

Thanks Paul. Would be great if the alternative didn't suck as bad or worse.

Correct. Both horrible candidates and why again I won't be voting in this election not that it matters since I live where I live.

Walz was described by someone as Newsom with flannel. That's not great, Bob.

Somehow both parties are now pro big government...sad state of affairs.

[GoMuskies]

I only really care about the top of the ticket. VP is a pointless, figurehead position (unless you're Dick Cheney). No one cares about the VP outside of the first five days of the election cycle after they're announced (and if there's a VP debate).

Walz would probably be fine if he was top of ticket. Not my favorite, by far, but not embarrassing to the nation. 0 for 2 by that standard on the top of the ticket this year.

[Xville]

I only really care about the top of the ticket. VP is a pointless, figurehead position (unless you're Dick Cheney). No one cares about the VP outside of the first five days of the election cycle after they're announced (and if there's a VP debate).

Walz would probably be fine if he was top of ticket. Not my favorite, by far, but not embarrassing to the nation. 0 for 2 by that standard on the top of the ticket this year.

Considering the vp is the head of what is a very tight senate by party lines, I have to respectfully disagree with you that they are just a figurehead. He’s way too far left for my liking. Shapiro, beshear, cooper would have been absolutely fine with me.

[GoMuskies]

I mean, they get the tie breaking vote, but if it's a tie it's almost always going to be because the Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked, so the VP is just going to vote with their party. Walz and Beshear would vote the same 100% of the time in that position, so who cares?

[Xville]

I mean, they get the tie breaking vote, but if it's a tie it's almost always going to be because the Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked, so the VP is just going to vote with their party. Walz and Beshear would vote the same 100% of the time in that position, so who cares?

I don’t know I think the job is pretty significant when it comes to being an advisor, and taking on pretty large responsibilities since the president can only do so much on a day to day basis. I was hoping for someone closer to the middle like a beshear to advise on different policies that would tone Harris down, not exacterbate her already pretty left views.

[Smails]

Just a few of the "best people" and what they thought after being exposed to an unqualified president. Their opinions should have some weight.

Lol.. Were you calling these individuals 'best people' (Trumpism) when they were part of the Trump administration?

Did you value Mike Pence's opinions when he was Trumps VP? You spent years bashing the Trump administration and everyone who had anything to do with it. Now all of the sudden they are valuable people who need to be heard and listened to? What changed, Paul? Person A while serving the Trump Administration: "Incompetent, deplorable, unfit" Same person A when they speak out against Donald Trump: "Very important and we should value what they say" I swear if you didn't speak out of both sides of your mouth, you would never speak.

[paulxu]

Well that's pretty simple. They woke up to his nonsense once they were exposed to it on a daily basis.
Even a thirst for power that apparently motivates a lot of people to put their concerns aside, couldn't overcome what they were exposed to in the final analysis. Most especially after he fomented an insurrection and sought to have his people block the peaceful transfer of power.

I don't think in American history a VP has ever failed to endorse his former boss, or has thought them unqualified.
And I don't think I ever called any of them deplorable or unfit for service. Trump yes. The generals and others, no.

[xubrew]

Lol.. Were you calling these individuals 'best people' (Trumpism) when they were part of the Trump administration?

Did you value Mike Pence's opinions when he was Trumps VP? You spent years bashing the Trump administration and everyone who had anything to do with it. Now all of the sudden they are valuable people who need to be heard and listened to? What changed, Paul? Person A while serving the Trump Administration: "Incompetent, deplorable, unfit" Same person A when they speak out against Donald Trump: "Very important and we should value what they say" I swear if you didn't speak out of both sides of your mouth, you would never speak.

Uhhhh,

I think the question that we need to ask is why are so many people that Trump hired/appointed and publicly praised as being the "Best People" now saying these kinds of things about him? That's not just a red flag. That's a stadium sized red banner.

If you were doing a background check, and received this kind of feedback from former staff that the guy you're checking on had previously publicly praised, would you hire him?? He's at best incapable of hiring a good staff. But chances are it's an indication that he himself cannot be trusted.