Yes…100% all that.
In addition, its part of his redemption tour. Consider it not quite a proto type, more like alpha-test. Nearly everyone in the Trump administration is going to be given the same treatment, once they get all the kinks worked out of it.
And the GOP always loves having a few generals with a touch of Federal government experience on their resumes, in their back pockets. Either to run for some office, or to staff up somebody else’s.
Yep. That and the lucrative seats on the board of General Dynamics and other government contractors who want to leverage his connections.
Mattis has everything to gain by playing coy. As the money rolls in, the media will pursue the mystery man and keep his name in the headlines to goose book sales.
All he had to do was tolerate the rantings of Mango Mussolini for a few years and it’s on to the wingnut gravy train for life. Another trumper who took our money and feathered his nest.
he was asked that question in 2016.
Also Mattis: Why should I work for a living and put up with politics when I can pretend to be a hero and bathe in everlasting adulation? Besides, grifting pays better.
Mattis joined the board of the same company as Kelly.
Thanks for bringing this to people’s attention. Mattis has joined Kelly in chasing $$$ from the Trump immigration policies. I’m surprised he hasn’t been asked about this (by some media outlet other than FOX).
People in the press, like Fox ‘host’, because there are no real journos or reporters on staff, Martha MacCallum suggesting in televised interviews that a retired general may run, is what places the idea of that person and the imagination of the Republican base. Before you know it there are petitions circulating online attempting to get him or her to run, or for the party to try and recruit them for the job.
Actually, I’m looking forward to Volumes Two through Twelve.
I honestly do not know what actions Mattis would take if he were in possession of the ammunition to act and the timing was ripe.
But it is abundantly clear that Mattis - right now - does not think the time is ripe
… and if he truly has a desire to impact the direction of the election - he probably has to hold his fire for a bit longer - especially since Mattis does not have an army / organization (at this point in time) … and Trump could unleash an onslaught to muddle/ smokescreen / overwhelm with diversions the situation.
Mattis might have a stinky ball of doo-doo - or a whole pile of them - to fling in Trump’s direction - but to throw them now - 14 months before the election- would squander whatever derailing impact he might be able to have.
Mattis running for President would seem to be almost an impossibility - Trump has re-crafted the GOP to be significantly dependent upon a sizable component of seething racist, xenophobic , science hating Luddites - if somehow - in say February of 2020 - Trump were rendered totally unable to continue a campaign - it would be impossible for anyone to try to climb into Trump’s costume and play the same role - and with the custom tailored cult of personality support system that Trump has created - it would be next to impossible to retool things to adequately support a replacement.
So if Mattis was actually convinced that Trump is a threat to the survival of the nation - and that virtually any sane individual would be vastly superior - even if it is a Democratic Party candidate - then his goal would be render the Trump reelection effort thoroughly rancidly inoperable - and un-repairable in the time that remains before the election - - - the timing will be critical - April might be too early …July? … August? September?
Or - Mattis is just a self-serving publicity seeking whore who wants to cash in on his notoriety and sell books - - and his career in the service of this country meant nothing and was just a ramp up to a final money grab
We will find out - -
They will never be on my reading list.
Or - Mattis is just a self-serving publicity seeking whore who wants to cash in on his notoriety and sell books - - and his career in the service of this country meant nothing and was just a ramp up to a final money grab
I’m not saying his service to the country meant nothing but everything else in this quote sounds about right. That’s what generals do.
I’m just trying to think how to say no even stronger.
That’s what I was trying to think of too.
Ahahahahahahaha…but seriously, sarcasm doesn’t always come through here.
It’s like winning the Oscar of politics. Sometimes it’s handed out to the Popular One.
Who asked this cockamamie question? Good fucking god.
Fuck Mattis’ book, opinions and silence on Trump
I want to see HR McMaster’s book, opinions and thoughts on Trump.
How interesting: The Generals™ who were supposed to save us all with their honor and integrity and heightened sense of duty have all been busts. Pedantic, easily bought and compromised busts.
When he gets a big enough advance I’m sure you will if he’s out of the military.
well, clever Generals don’t tell you any details about what they are going to do - and they don’t do what ever they are going to do until the time is right.
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion - I just think it is premature to pronounce Mattis to essentially be just nothing more than another spineless - all-talk - empty suit. He might be - but it is a bit too early to tell.
The reason I say this is that even if Mattis was full-in totally committed to derailing Trump by any means necessary - right now in September of 2019 - he very likely could be doing exactly what he is doing right now - and he could be holding his fire - waiting for the right moment. If he is committed to derailing Trump’s reelection - he is not going to act prematurely - he is not going to frivolously stick his head in a wood chipper - not going squander the element of surprise / timing .
Mattis has made it pretty clear that the has nothing but disdain for Trump - but exactly what he may do and when he may do something of significance - if at all - is yet to be determined. I would not consider this to be over by any means - it might be - but it is probably too soon to determine if Mattis is working a plan - or just a worthless self-serving schmuck.
You might be right, I’m not saying I’m right, but I don’t mind showing how I feel about him right now. I’ll be amazed if he isn’t just another shyster general who isn’t just reeling in the public with his great title, Call Sign Chaos. That’s a great hook not to be saying anything. If he waits too long whatever he says can and probably will be written off as pre election noise.
The problem is, we have been conditioned (even for those who disdain the military in all of its manifestations) to believe these are people of action and integrity. We have all bought into the notion that yes, Mattis et al, would throw themselves on the grenade for the good of the company. And there has been nothing of the kind.
So, moi, I don’t believe it’s too early to tell. Mattis joins the others in hiding behind the institution and prevaricating. Ironically, they are practicing out of date tactics with an asymmetrical, lawless government and its ruthless enablers. Had they been around during the Civil War, they would have failed to realize how fundamentally different the conflict was, preferring West Point niceties and staid European-style tactics.