Thanks for your response. We'll see how confirmation goes. More will come out and I imagine assurances will be made through back channels for McCain, Graham, etc. Standard fare. I think the concern as far as Russia/mid East is concerned is that Putin's interest in the mid East has been fueled by oil interests and now we have an oil man at, ostensibly, the most important foreign policy position in this administration. Yes, Russia and the Mid-east are central to our immediate and long term foreign policy goals. However, the way the U.S. deals w/ China over the next few years has the most potential to trigger a potential catastrophe which would more directly injure U.S.security and economic interests, IMO. I'm concerned about this pick, specifically, because it's proven to be a very significant position for the long-term strategic plans of our foreign policy. Relevant experience does matter, IMO. Considering recent SOS, Powell and Rice both served as NSA advisers, Kerry and Clinton both had foreign policy experience in congress. I know many of you disagree with both of the last two administrations foreign policy blunders, as do I; but I'm not sure the answer is to just throw the baby out w/ the bathwater, so to speak. It's a complex job with, unquestionably, a significant amount of nuance and stress involved. I'm glad he has experience dealing w/ foreign leaders. I really am. It's important to remember ,though, that the biggest disasters we've had overseas have been the result of taking our eye off of what was most important to overall U.S. interests.
Yikes. This sounds completely naive or completely ignorant. I DO NOT want Rex Tillerson using a private email and server to possibly shield his personal dealings under the guise of "non-State Department business". Hillary Clinton set a dangerous precedent with her careless and needless actions.
Here's a pretty good interview on Tillerson - gives some more insight into who he is. John Hamre, who worked under Clinton and was on Obama's transition team gives his thoughts on Tillerson in this and it makes me feel a little better about the pick. http://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365914624
Thanks for posting this. It does make me feel more at ease about the man himself. One of the panelists did mention how he'll have to think about Russia in an entirely new way now, which isn't something I think we should be entirely comfortable with. But his experience w/ foreign leaders and former diplomats should help in the challenges to come. Trump himself seems to have a dangerously shallow view of foreign policy so I think the most encouraging thing I took away from that discussion was the idea that he has well thought out views that he's not afraid to express. Of course, the same guy who said that stated that we shouldn't worry because he's a "man of character." Where have I heard that before? I hope many people's fears are allayed during confirmation, where Tillerson's points of view can be more thoroughly examined.
I'm no Tillerson fan, but I can't see him taking any **** from Trump at all - and Rex is clearly tired of Trump's nonsense.
Lol, if nikki Haley shows a glimmer of competence, which journalists would jump on like fresh water among marooned sailors, her name would move to the top of the chopping block. Bigger fish to fry than grumpy Rexy. Bigger fish. He will stash him for the next vulgar/racist/sexist tweet not even fox can smooth over.
