MSNBC is reporting that at least 6 Republican Senators are not

[spooky3]

On board with Hegseth’s nomination at this time. They are insisting on FBI background investigation and vetting. Fox colleagues reported his drinking was “alarming.”

Ryan Nobles and Courtney Kube were really on top of the story—interviewed by Nicolle Wallace.

Sounds as if Lawrence O’D will be worth a watch tonight.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219783429#post16

[Ocelot II]

1. You mean there are actually *six* (Count them! Six!) GOP senators

who aren't down with a lecherous neo-Nazi drunk heading up the Defense Department? Quelle surprise!

[spooky3]

6. To most, it's a feature, not a bug. Nt

[Initech]

54. Neo-Nazis in charge of defense and conspiracy theorists in charge of intelligence.

What could possibly go wrong?

And don't worry, their regional manager, Sean Hannity, will bring them in line tomorrow. Can't have independent thought. Cults don't like that.

[maxsolomon]

2. As long as Hegseth says he's in recovery, all will be forgiven.

But it has to be for Alcohol, not Sex Addiction.

Alternately, he could say he found Jesus.

[Ocelot II]

12. I don't think there are recovery programs for assholes.

[machoneman]

24. Hah!

Good one....

[LymphocyteLover]

19. but he's in no way qualified either

[Skittles]

21. neither is Trump

but here we are

[Evolve Dammit]

30. right! and both with the nuke codes. What could go wrong??

[LymphocyteLover]

36. True, but Trump is unique. Also he was Commander in Chief before

DoD is a very serious job and requires serious management skills... (I know, so does POTUS, but I think POTUS can get away with more crap because they have so many PR staff)

[Skittles]

38. Trump isn't interested in competence

he needs BOOT LICKERS

[LymphocyteLover]

58. Absolutely! But we have to hope enough Repub Senators want someone competent at the

freaking DoD. They may be willing to tolerate trump but not so much clearly unfit people in powerful positions.

[MadameButterfly]

66. A competent person might disagree with Trump

or tell him what to do.

Besides, Trump hasn't figured out that other people (unlike Trump) have actual expertise and aren't faking it.

[Dem4life1234]

3. Wow Rethugs with class 2024?

[Mike 03]

4. The negative info is snowballing. Michelangelo Signorile's

progressive talk show is on right now. He was just now reading from what he described as a breaking NBC story reporting that Hegseth was "drunk all the time at Fox News" (Signorile's words). He also is reporting:

People at Fox News were worried about his drinking.
He frequently had to be carried out of parties and network events.

[Captain Zero]

56. I'm sure his Russian handlers were always happy

to carry his drunken ass out of Faux Party Events.

[J_William_Ryan]

5. And the madness continues.

No one should be on board with Hegseth’s nomination at any time, regardless the outcome of an FBI background investigation and vetting – he’s comprehensively unfit and unqualified.

[Bluetus]

7. The key is to push the GOP Senators to demand FBI BG checks

Last edited Tue Dec 3, 2024, 11:28 PM - Edit history (1)

of ALL nominees. Some of the worst ones will pull out rather than have the FBI poking around. That way, the cowardly Senators don't have to cross Trump directly.

And they should all publicly ask Wray (a Republican) to not resign, at least until 100% of the BG checks are complete. In other words, the Patel nomination should be the very last confirmation hearing.

We should also push them to state publicly that they will not vote to confirm any nominee that cannot qualify for the highest security clearance.

[Skittles]

22. WHY would FBI checks not be STANDARD

I had to get them just so I could work on government IT contracts.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. serious uncharted territory now

[paleotn]

44. That's just for the little people like you and me.

[Bluetus]

45. Because, Trump. That is the point we must make.

[Skittles]

50. but it makes no sense to me

why would there be exceptions for Putin stooge DONALD FUCKING TRUMP

WTF

[Bluetus]

61. That's an elected position. Requires no Senate confirmation.

Trump is a huge problem. But we can't compound that problem by ignoring the Senate's Constitutional responsibility with regard to all the appointed department heads.

[The Unmitigated Gall]

51. White billionaire "terriblis oblige". nt

[liberalgunwilltravel]

25. Good call

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/us/trump-fbi-background-checks.html

[Bluetus]

47. The point is the checks must happen under Wray

[valleyrogue]

55. Trump can't pass a background check. I am not holding my breath about his nominees

being subjected to them.

[spooky3]

8. Courtney Kube did a great job of describing how demanding

The Sec of Def job is—she gave specific examples of how Biden’s SOD (Austin) was awakened at midnight Oct 7 and worked all night; other occasions where there was a crisis that required him to make critical decisions over many consecutive hours, etc. This isn’t just a matter or “character”— it’s a matter of being capable of doing such a job.

[paleotn]

48. Exactly!!!!! The 3am phone call.

And decisions where lives hang in the balance. Just one among hundreds of uber critical things about our government most soft, stupid Amurkins don't get.

[Captain Zero]

57. Not a job to awaken from a drunken stupor and be able to track

This guy is deep doo-doo if he gets approved.

[malaise]

9. Good

Rec

[spooky3]

10. Hey you

The tennis withdrawal is getting serious.

[malaise]

11. LOL😀

Hey you!

[ancianita]

13. Let's see how accurate MSNBC can be. I'll believe it when I see it.

[paleotn]

43. So many thought Gaetz was a shoe in. Until he wasn't.

I can't believe we're relying on R senators as guard rails, but that's the world we live in.

[ancianita]

59. I hear you. It's Trump testing the limits of human controls, now that law, norms and actions

that he's unaccountable for. Now it's about controlling the last branch of government, The People's branch, the First Branch.

If he can create enough fear in them to cow them, he's a full on dictator. And that's where we'll be if Republicans don't see through what he's doing.

The last ditch way to stop him is that we'll have to be bipartisan again. Back in the day that was the original purpose of both houses of congress.
... even though it's un-ironic

The next 18 months we have to work with them to future proof this country for their descendants as well as ours. After that it will get easier after the midterms (hopefully).

Each day we out here have to wake up clear eyed and take this on -- spend 1/2 hr on the phone with those on our side who we think have influence on their side of the aisle. Expect the worst, hope for the best. Encourage the young, and help our neighbor.

We can do this.
Yes We Can.

[Cherrycheeks]

14. I dont believe them..

Just about all of them are unqualified.

I need to give a close look to them all but repubs are playing the same old games. They don't give a damn about this country.

They seem to think these nominees and their policies won't effect them or their families. They think they will be able to control everything. Whatever effects us effects them too.

Money can't protect you from everything. They are

[FakeNoose]

15. The problem is that Repukes lie ... a LOT!

They might even coordinate their pre-planned lies in order to fake out the press and the Dems.

[Lovie777]

16. The relying factor is -0--...............

[3Hotdogs]

17. Is Susan concerned?

[Evolve Dammit]

32. not yet. At least haven't heard a peep

[The Madcap]

18. Although it seems hard to do...

we should congratulate those R's who vote against Hegseth as heroes and patriots for their vote. Conditionally, of course, since it's always possible they could vote for Tulski or any of the other crazies being nominated.

A little drinking, I'm ok with, but not at work. It's the frequent falling down vomiting plaster J.D. Vance pass out and/or alcoholic violence that is disqualifying. Besides, he's a known nazi, so that should also be disqualifying in a sane world.

[Sneederbunk]

20. Sounds like another big fail by TSF.

How many of these does he have up his sleeve?

[live love laugh]

29. Fail where? When?

[spooky3]

64. A zillion--but as long as Rs have power, nominees like this will keep coming. Nt

[moniss]

23. I've been in bars in my life where people were being helped

out of the "party" because they drank too much. They fall into 2 broad categories. The 1st are the ones you help out because you care about them and want to get them to a safe spot and you make sure they don't stumble and hit anything. The 2nd are the ones you get out of the place because they are obnoxious a**holes and once they clear the door if they stumble and fall and do a face plant on the sidewalk it's not really so bad that you weren't there to catch them.

I know which category Hegseth is in.

[Emile]

26. Trump doesn't even vet his own nominees.

He seriously is not fit to run this country.

[Dem4life1234]

28. He is incredibly unfit

We used to be the model of the free world and now it's a joke because of this buffoon.

[Evolve Dammit]

33. His "vetting" consists on abusing females, screwing everyone to make a buck and disregard for rule of law.

And being very white helps....

[spooky3]

37. Very white and male. No female officeholder could get away with this. Nt

[bdamomma]

41. not run

this country, RUIN is more like it.

[Emile]

60. No kidding!

[live love laugh]

27. Six???!!! WOW

[haele]

34. Sounds like he's perfect to be a Russian General...

Hard drinking two fisted rage fueled Alpha Male type. Wonder what he's compensating for.
A liver failure or alcoholic stroke ready to happen.

Jaele

[lonely bird]

35. Sooooo...

He’s too drinky.

He’s a Christian Nationalist.

And he wants to destroy public schools.

What’s not to like?

Now, where is my sarcasm button?

[iluvtennis]

39. Lawrence O'D is always worth a watch - i just love his show. n/t

[Iggo]

40. "...at this time."

[paleotn]

42. When you're a piece of shit, according to his mom, I guess you drown your sorrows.

My heart isn't broken for the play soldier.

[JT45242]

46. I'll believe it when they vote NO

They didn't convict him before he had king powers. They will be all verklemot and concerned and have a pearl clutching talk with him ala Susan Collins and say: "I looked into his eyes and his heart and he is a changed man who has found the LORD. I trust him to do the right thing moving forward."

Of course, that will be after they are shown the kompromat and the indictments that good old Kash and others have already drafted to make certain that they stay in line. NOt sure if it will be threats to the senators themselves, their wives, kids, or parents. But there will be caving in.

Do you really believe that Mango Mussolini does not have enough dirt on McTurtle, his wife, and her family to make him change his vote. Go down the line, which Senator do you honestly believe is
A) Clean with no possible kompromat
B) Wife and kids are clean with no possible indictable or kompromat material
C) Parents and inlaws who are clean

Seriously, people don't get that kind of money and power to make it to the Senate in that party and not have some serious baggage and skeletons in the closet.

They will all follow Putin's directive and weaken the US military and every other institution.

The only caveat is Putin decides to let them win one to get all the others through.

[spooky3]

67. I don't think there will be a vote. I suspect what is happening now

Last edited Wed Dec 4, 2024, 06:51 PM - Edit history (1)

is that several R Senators have conveyed to TSF's advisers that they "don't know what will happen" if TSF pushes this forward. They have probably given him names of other potential nominees who would not be opposed. TSF doesn't give a damn about Hegseth so doesn't want to screw around with any possibility of pushback, and will tell him to pound sand as soon as he has a new nominee, whether it's DeSanctis or someone else.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

49. This asshole needs to withdraw

Link to tweet

[Polybius]

52. I give it 2 days

He's gonna withdraw, as he has no path.

[Wiz Imp]

53. This is a perfect illustration of just how far gone the MAGA party is.

Only 6 people have gone on the record as currently having an issue with the nomination of someone with zero qualifications for the position in addition to being a moral degenerate? That is beyond sad. It's horrifying.

But at least it's enough to prevent him from being confirmed as long as they don't change their mind.

Any word on how big the opposition to Gabbard and Patel is? There are plenty of other nominees who would never come close to being confirmed in a sane Senate. But Gabbard & Patel (in addition to Hegseth) are not just unqualified and horrible people, they are grave dangers to national security who will put the entire country in danger if they get confirmed.

[Calista241]

62. I think that he's the sacrificial lamb

As long as everyone is opposed to him, fewer people will look into other nominees.

IMO, a fucked up nominiee at DoD is less impactful than the nominees for DOJ, DNI, or the FBI.

[spooky3]

63. Some said that about Gaetz, too.

TSF will nominate someone a little less offensive. Attention may then be directed to Kennedy.

[HereForTheParty]

65. "not on board at this time"

Those are some wiggle words.

[Godot51]

68. Oh, they'll probably fall in line when the votes are being cast...

.. the fear of "trump" is huge in these people of little or no substance. I mean, after all, they chose to call themselves republicans, didn't they?