Priebus resigns; Gen. John Kelly new CoS

[Millhouse]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/28/politics/john-kelly-chief-of-staff/index.html

The craziness just keeps on rolling on.

And I think naming Kelly is a terrible decision. He has nothing but an all military background.

Quote:Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump has selected Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his new White House chief of staff, replacing Reince Priebus.

"I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American... and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security. He has been a true star of my Administration," Trump tweeted.

Priebus resigned privately Thursday, CNN has learned.

The move was announced just after Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Friday.

"Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job," Trump told reporters. "General Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far, respected by everybody. He's a great great American. Reince is a good man."

The move followed months of on-again, off-again speculation that Priebus would soon be ousted from an administration where he has consistently drawn heavy criticism for failing to stem the flow of leaks and struggled to impose a sense of order in a chaotic White House beset by controversies.

Priebus, who was brought on by the outsider President in large part because of his Washington relationships, also wound up carrying a hefty share of the blame for the White House's legislative stumbles.

The former Republican National Committee chairman faced a difficult task from the outset as he attempted to wrangle a hodgepodge of rival staff factions divided by ideology and allegiance, his influence supplanted by several other top advisers -- including the President's own kin -- who reported directly to Trump and not to the chief of staff.

Priebus' appointment was announced alongside Steve Bannon's, the former Breitbart editor in chief who was appointed chief strategist. The President's son-in-law Jared Kushner was named senior adviser and soon thereafter his wife -- the President's eldest daughter -- Ivanka Trump was as well.

But it was the appointment of Anthony Scaramucci to communications director last Friday that set off Priebus' final unraveling. Within days of his appointment, Scaramucci, who was added to the roster of top aides who circumvent the chief of staff and report directly to the President, took to the airwaves and suggested Priebus was responsible for leaks coming out of the White House. He leveled those charges on CNN moments after speaking with Trump.

Priebus had worked against Scaramucci joining the administration when the New York hedge fund manager was first considered for an administration post and while the two attempted to put on a show of unity in Scaramucci's first days at the White House, it quickly became clear the two men would continue to be at odds with each other.

Priebus, a Wisconsin native, joined the administration as chief of staff after a nearly six-year tenure as chairman of the RNC, the final months of which he spent in a dual role as a top adviser to Trump's campaign.

Priebus was tapped for the post at the urging of top congressional Republicans -- including House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow Wisconsinite -- who advised Trump that he needed a Washington insider to help him shepherd his legislative agenda. That left Priebus with the blame for many of the administration's legislative stumbles, including during the arduous attempts at passing a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare -- which Priebus had advised Trump to make his first legislative priority, promising him swift victory.

The pick was unexpected for many in the Trump campaign who saw Priebus as the embodiment of the Washington Republican establishment Trump had defeated in the primaries, and Trump and Priebus did not always see eye-to eye.

Still, Priebus helped Trump bridge the divide with many establishment Republicans during the general election and into Trump's tenure as president, serving as a key bridge between the outsider President and the insider politics he found himself at the center of.

Priebus was just the latest former RNC official to leave the administration, following the departure of White House press secretary Sean Spicer -- who resigned in protest over Scaramucci's hire -- and the ouster of deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh, a key Priebus ally who exited the administration after just two months on the job.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

[BmorePat87]

(07-28-2017, 07:11 PM)Millhouse Wrote: http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/28/politics/john-kelly-chief-of-staff/index.html

The craziness just keeps on rolling on.

And I think naming Kelly is a terrible decision. He has nothing but an all military background.

The Priebus marriage was a shotgun wedding that was never going to work out. As much as he needs competent Republicans to fill in his administration, he's determined to half ass it with "loyal" people whose qualification is that he is pretty sure they're on his side. I question if he will ever fully fill the executive branch if he keeps burning bridges with career bureaucrats who actually know who to get to fill all of the holes. He's lagging so far behind in nominations. 

[Millhouse]

(07-28-2017, 07:32 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: The Priebus marriage was a shotgun wedding that was never going to work out. As much as he needs competent Republicans to fill in his administration, he's determined to half ass it with "loyal" people whose qualification is that he is pretty sure they're on his side. I question if he will ever fully fill the executive branch if he keeps burning bridges with career bureaucrats who actually know who to get to fill all of the holes. He's lagging so far behind in nominations. 

This is the biggest one too. The White House Chief of Staff is perhaps the most powerful position in Washington to have without being elected. I think in terms of diplomatic ranking, it is equivalent to a 4 star general, though could be wrong. Not only does the CoS have top security clearance for military matters, but he/she is equally important for domestic politics in DC and around the country. Its a hugely important position who literally is the one that everyone needs to go through to reach the President on matters. And now that position is filled by a career General of the Marines.

[ballsofsteel]

I surprised Drumph didn't put his son Eric as the new COS!

[Belsnickel]

The appointment of Kelly is the result of Trump not understanding the complete role of the CoS. Kelly will be good at bringing discipline to the staff and for national security/military matters. But the CoS has a major role of overseeing the interaction between the Oval and the Hill. In an effort to bring order to the staff he has he has over corrected. Kelly has friends on the Hill, and anyone that thinks a four-star general doesn't know how to play the political game is fooling themselves, but he doesn't have the political clout and background enough to really be a help to the legislative activities. They were already having trouble in this area, and this is only going to make that worse. This will make the administration even more ineffective.

[Benton]

(07-28-2017, 08:18 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: The appointment of Kelly is the result of Trump not understanding the complete role of the CoS. Kelly will be good at bringing discipline to the staff and for national security/military matters. But the CoS has a major role of overseeing the interaction between the Oval and the Hill. In an effort to bring order to the staff he has he has over corrected. Kelly has friends on the Hill, and anyone that thinks a four-star general doesn't know how to play the political game is fooling themselves, but he doesn't have the political clout and background enough to really be a help to the legislative activities. They were already having trouble in this area, and this is only going to make that worse. This will make the administration even more ineffective.

True.

But investors in Raytheon and the like have to be pretty stoked.

[NATI BENGALS]

Draining the swamp

[BmorePat87]

(07-28-2017, 08:18 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: The appointment of Kelly is the result of Trump not understanding the complete role of the CoS. Kelly will be good at bringing discipline to the staff and for national security/military matters. But the CoS has a major role of overseeing the interaction between the Oval and the Hill. In an effort to bring order to the staff he has he has over corrected. Kelly has friends on the Hill, and anyone that thinks a four-star general doesn't know how to play the political game is fooling themselves, but he doesn't have the political clout and background enough to really be a help to the legislative activities. They were already having trouble in this area, and this is only going to make that worse. This will make the administration even more ineffective.

The Master Negotiator doesn't need anyone else to help him with the Hill. Just look at all of the major legislation passed that the GOP promised  they'd pass if given a majority...

Seriously, I don't think Trump believes he needs to do anything more than tweet.

[GMDino]

(07-28-2017, 10:35 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: The Master Negotiator doesn't need anyone else to help him with the Hill. Just look at all of the major legislation passed that the GOP promised  they'd pass if given a majority...

Seriously, I don't think Trump believes he needs to do anything more than tweet.

He's running the country like a business.  Sadly, his business.

He brings in family and rich people (they must be smart because they are rich, right?) and then tells them what he wants done.  let *them* work out the details.  And if something goes wrong?  Fire the guy you know the least.  Blame everyone else.  

Oh, and weekends are for golf.

[ballsofsteel]

(07-29-2017, 07:49 AM)GMDino Wrote: He's running the country like a business.  Sadly, his business.

He brings in family and rich people (they must be smart because they are rich, right?) and then tells them what he wants done.  let *them* work out the details.  And if something goes wrong?  Fire the guy you know the least.  Blame everyone else.  

Oh, and weekends are for golf.

Did you happen to see Wolf's interview with Priebus yesterday? Priebus is scared to death of Drumph ,professing his love for him after Drumph threw him out making him look like an ass. What a wuss. :paul:

[GMDino]

(07-29-2017, 08:02 AM)ballsofsteel Wrote: Did you happen to see Wolf's interview with Priebus yesterday? Priebus is scared to death of Drumph ,professing his love for him after Drumph threw him out making him look like an ass. What a wuss. :paul:

I didn't, but I'd bet its more fear that if the GOP gets outed as the dysfunctional family they are with the leader (Trump) they have they worry more about losing votes than any self-esteem they have.

It's not respect for Trump...but guys like Trump think it is.

[CageTheBengal]

I bet Trump's hands are starting to feel like baby doll hands right about now. His ego is hurtin'.

[Belsnickel]

(07-29-2017, 08:02 AM)ballsofsteel Wrote: Did you happen to see Wolf's interview with Priebus yesterday? Priebus is scared to death of Drumph ,professing his love for him after Drumph threw him out making him look like an ass. What a wuss. :paul:

Which is sad, because it is my understanding that he is one of the few insiders that never signed an NDA.

[GMDino]

(07-29-2017, 10:49 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: Which is sad, because it is my understanding that he is one of the few insiders that never signed an NDA.

Another thing I noticed:

Trump made his announcement on his personal twitter account but it wasn't even shared to the POTUS one.  No mention there.

And he's been tweeting all morning now about wanting the GOP to change the voting rules in the Senate so he's had a chance to mention it.

[Dill]

(07-28-2017, 07:41 PM)Millhouse Wrote: This is the biggest one too. The White House Chief of Staff is perhaps the most powerful position in Washington to have without being elected. I think in terms of diplomatic ranking, it is equivalent to a 4 star general, though could be wrong. Not only does the CoS have top security clearance for military matters, but he/she is equally important for domestic politics in DC and around the country. Its a hugely important position who literally is the one that everyone needs to go through to reach the President on matters. And now that position is filled by a career General of the Marines.

Chris whipple pretty much makes this argument in his book Gatekeepers.

https://www.amazon.com/Gatekeepers-White-Chiefs-Define-Presidency/dp/0804138249

One of the nocks on Priebus was that he just couldn't control access to Trump, and help him set priorities and keep on them.  Most see that as Trump's fault.  He didn't want to stay on task gave many people access regardless of Priebus.

How will Kelly get along with the Mooch I wonder?

[Dill]

(07-29-2017, 08:11 AM)GMDino Wrote: I didn't, but I'd bet its more fear that if the GOP gets outed as the dysfunctional family they are with the leader (Trump) they have they worry more about losing votes than any self-esteem they have.

You've got this all wrong Dino. With Spicer and Priebus out, the Mooch will have a free hand in getting Trump's message out. Remember he is a businessman, a can-do guy who knows how to get things done. Not like those professional party wusses who were probably the leakers anyway.

The fake news media don't stand a chance now!

[ballsofsteel]

(07-29-2017, 06:18 PM)Dill Wrote: You've got this all wrong Dino. With Spicer and Priebus out, the Mooch will have a free hand in getting Trump's message out. Remember he is a businessman, a can-do guy who knows how to get things done. Not like those professional party wusses who were probably the leakers anyway.

The fake news media don't stand a chance now!

Dill, what exactly is Drumph's message? As near as I can tell, everything he said he was going to do during his Nazi rally's he pretty much lied about them and didn't do anything. All the old white Repubs in congress hate his guts but are too scared to buck him because they are worried about getting elected. Seems to me Drumph's message is "look at me and how great I am".

[Dill]

(07-30-2017, 07:48 AM)ballsofsteel Wrote: Dill, what exactly is Drumph's message? As near as I can tell, everything he said he was going to do during his Nazi rally's he pretty much lied about them and didn't do anything. All the old white Repubs in congress hate his guts but are too scared to buck him because they are worried about getting elected. Seems to me Drumph's message is "look at me and how great I am".

I agree. The SHOW is the message. Trump being Trump. Talking tough and firing people. Meeting heads of state at mar a lago. And the continuing rallys and references to "crooked Hillary's emails" reliving the campaign.

Pundits and policy wonks can identify "promises" like the wall and the Muslim ban, which I guess are a sort of agenda, but they cannot discern any policy and the Trump team cannot seem to articulate one that originates from Trump. (He appears to support the Ryan Budget.) I disagreed with the Bush doctrine, but at least there was a doctrine. Trump seems to just feel out what the crowd responds to, then says what they like, not matter how impractical or cruel. Hence the inconsistencies.

There are some private agendas mixed in with this. He wants to undo whatever Obama did, if possible. He wants to punish the socialites and Hollywood types who don't invite him to their parties anymore. That is how it looks anyway.

[ballsofsteel]

(07-30-2017, 12:42 PM)Dill Wrote: I agree. The SHOW is the message. Trump being Trump. Talking tough and firing people. Meeting heads of state at mar a lago. And the continuing rallys and references to "crooked Hillary's emails" reliving the campaign.

Pundits and policy wonks can identify "promises" like the wall and the Muslim ban, which I guess are a sort of agenda, but they cannot discern any policy and the Trump team cannot seem to articulate one that originates from Trump. (He appears to support the Ryan Budget.) I disagreed with the Bush doctrine, but at least there was a doctrine. Trump seems to just feel out what the crowd responds to, then says what they like, not matter how impractical or cruel. Hence the inconsistencies.

There are some private agendas mixed in with this. He wants to undo whatever Obama did, if possible. He wants to punish the socialites and Hollywood types who don't invite him to their parties anymore. That is how it looks anyway.

Good call. This appears to be the case.

[Belsnickel]

Kelly's first move in his position?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/07/31/scaramucci-is-out-as-white-house-communications-director-10-days-after-he-was-named-to-the-job-sources-say/?utm_term=.456b62a68ed0