Politics

[Scott CWO]

Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of Defense.

I sure hope not. Not long ago she endorsed Bernie Sanders. She sucks up to anyone giving her attention. She’s a bigger flip-flopper than Romney. Her views change like the wind!

 

[Tam Dl]

The US military is the largest org in the world. You have contracting, military knowledge and politics. She is low to middling in all those things. Which is no slight. She is 43. Her military experience is medical and policing. She seems like a far nicer person than Kamila, and crushed her in a debate. But in other respects I think she was riding the same elevator.

 

[Tam Dl]

Hilarious and sad at the same time. Email I received from CA DOJ with words from CA DA Rob Bonta...

View attachment 646809

Isn't he the guy who practiced law for one year before taking the express elevator to his current position?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I sure hope not. Not long ago she endorsed Bernie Sanders. She sucks up to anyone giving her attention. She’s a bigger flip-flopper than Romney. Her views change like the wind!

Agreed. That would be a huge first mistake for Trump.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of Defense.

NO!!!!!!!!!!

SOD in recent years have been retired generals or congressmen/senators with lots of defense background. I think it was one of the Bush presidencies that put a feeler out for nominating Fred Smith, founder and CEO of FedEx. He declined but may have turned out to be an excellent choice. Running a global, complex organization, like FedEx or the Defense Department, is a monumental task.

 

[mdwest]

NO!!!!!!!!!!

SOD in recent years have been retired generals or congressmen/senators with lots of defense background. I think it was one of the Bush presidencies that put a feeler out for nominating Fred Smith, founder and CEO of FedEx. He declined but may have turned out to be an excellent choice. Running a global, complex organization, like FedEx or the Defense Department, is a monumental task.

Agree.

The whole point of the way our system is designed is to have a "civilian" in charge of the military.

Im not saying the SECDEF cant (or shouldnt) have .mil experience... In fact, in a utopia, he/she would in my mind.. As someone that works extensively in the govt contracting space, most of my firms top performers are people that did a tour or two in the mil or with a fed LEO organization, but also bring a bit of private sector business experience.. what makes them stand out from a typical .mil retiree or a 20 year MBA with no .mil experience, but a ton of "business" experience is... they not only have been around the block long enough to understand how a business is different than the .gov (budget processes are different, priorities are different, how you manage non .gov employees is different, etc).. but they also have the benefit of actually understanding the "customer", speaking the same language as the .mil people, have a "mission focused" mindset, etc..etc..

But, I'd much prefer someone that spent 4-10 years in the USA/USMC/USN/USAF, etc.. got out, chose not to retire, picked up an MBA, and then ended up running a large, complex, successful, global business for the next 20+ years.. If I cant have that, give me someone that has close ties and close understanding of the military, its culture, etc.. but maybe didnt serve themselves (Army brat.. or someone whose business has a DOD arm or business unit), that has run a large, complex, successful, global business for the last 20+ years...

People like Ross Perot Jr, Blake Hall (although I think Hall might be a Democrat?), Alex Gorsky, come to mind... (I agree with @375 Ruger Fan that Fred Smith would be at the top of that list for me.. but, hes a bit too old at this point, and when last approached wasnt interested)..

Gabbard is 100% .mil and .capitolhill ... a career politician with some time in the HI National Guard doesnt have the experience needed to adequately run an organization that employs 2.75M people between the .mil members and the civilians assigned to the DOD, that has 128 installations in 55 different countries around the globe, that had a budget just over $841B last year (and is anticipated to request a $1T+ budget next year)..

While I dont dislike Gabbard at all... she is not the person best for the SECDEF role IMO..

 

[Neophyte]

Agree.

The whole point of the way our system is designed is to have a "civilian" in charge of the military.

Im not saying the SECDEF cant (or shouldnt) have .mil experience... In fact, in a utopia, he/she would in my mind.. As someone that works extensively in the govt contracting space, most of my firms top performers are people that did a tour or two in the mil or with a fed LEO organization, but also bring a bit of private sector business experience.. what makes them stand out from a typical .mil retiree or a 20 year MBA with no .mil experience, but a ton of "business" experience is... they not only have been around the block long enough to understand how a business is different than the .gov (budget processes are different, priorities are different, how you manage non .gov employees is different, etc).. but they also have the benefit of actually understanding the "customer", speaking the same language as the .mil people, have a "mission focused" mindset, etc..etc..

But, I'd much prefer someone that spent 4-10 years in the USA/USMC/USN/USAF, etc.. got out, chose not to retire, picked up an MBA, and then ended up running a large, complex, successful, global business for the next 20+ years.. If I cant have that, give me someone that has close ties and close understanding of the military, its culture, etc.. but maybe didnt serve themselves (Army brat.. or someone whose business has a DOD arm or business unit), that has run a large, complex, successful, global business for the last 20+ years...

People like Ross Perot Jr, Blake Hall (although I think Hall might be a Democrat?), Alex Gorsky, come to mind... (I agree with @375 Ruger Fan that Fred Smith would be at the top of that list for me.. but, hes a bit too old at this point, and when last approached wasnt interested)..

Gabbard is 100% .mil and .capitolhill ... a career politician with some time in the HI National Guard doesnt have the experience needed to adequately run an organization that employs 2.75M people between the .mil members and the civilians assigned to the DOD, that has 128 installations in 55 different countries around the globe, that had a budget just over $841B last year (and is anticipated to request a $1T+ budget next year)..

While I dont dislike Gabbard at all... she is not the person best for the SECDEF role IMO..

Actually I want someone outside the military. Especially if they have Pentagon experience.

They are part of the swamp that needs to be drained.

 

[mdwest]

If you believe every person thats served the pentagon in the last 10 years is a part of the swamp... you might as well go on and kill yourself now... you're never going to find happiness...

 

[Red Leg]

If you believe every person thats served the pentagon in the last 10 years is a part of the swamp... you might as well go on and kill yourself now... you're never going to find happiness...

Not necessary, he says he expects to die in a revolution, civil war, or something.

I hold similar reservations about Gabbard. She has also picked up a lot of airtime complaining about the insidious Military Industrial Complex with Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, et al. She may have done that for political cred with the neo-isolationists or really believes it. Regardless, I would hope the next SECDEF has a bit more understanding about what Eisenhower actually said and the realities of managing such a vast and important government/private sector partnership.

Normally, retired generals are a poor choice for such a role. Civilian authority should mean just that, however militarily incompetent they may be. Moreover, though general officers have experience with procurement and budgets, they have very little understanding of materiel development, production, and profit.

 

[Field28]

I like Tulsi, I don't agree with her on everything but I do believe that I agree with her more than disagree. That's one of the things that is refreshing about Tulsi, RFK Jr and Elon being on board and others that used to identify as Democrat.

That's how politics used to be, you could sit down and break bread with someone who had differing opinions than yourself.
You could agree to disagree in a polite, educated and civil manner. We need that again in our Country!

As for Tulsi, instead of the DOD I believe the VA to be a better place for her.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Any adult human being who endorsed Bernie has some incredibly flawed judgment. People can change but that wasn’t long ago. I can’t take her seriously.

 

[mdwest]

As for Tulsi, instead of the DOD I believe the VA to be a better place for her.

The VA is also very complex and large, etc.. but I dont think thats a bad idea at all.. Obviously I dont know her personally, but from what I can tell, she'd be well suited for the role.. and she seems to have build a fairly good relationship with RFK who is obviously going to be involved in healthcare in some capacity.. there could be some synergy there..

 

[HookMeUpII]

Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of Defense.

Possible, but probably not. Pompeo, Rogers, and some ex-Pentagon brass are being floated.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Any adult human being who endorsed Bernie has some incredibly flawed judgment. People can change but that wasn’t long ago. I can’t take her seriously.

That's almost a decade ago at this point. That might as well be the 20th century...with all that has transpired since.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Tulsi has a lot of capability, it would be a great shame not to use her talent meaningfully.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Possible, but probably not. Pompeo, Rogers, and some ex-Pentagon brass are being floated.

I believe I heard Pompeo is out?

That's almost a decade ago at this point. That might as well be the 20th century...with all that has transpired since.

True enough, still an issue IMO. She’s said enough wacky stuff to give me reason to doubt her judgement on any number of issues. That said, a decade really isn’t long enough for me for a person to show they’ve changed (I don’t think she’s really all that different now than she was then). I’ve got a hard enough time trusting people who were liberal in their youth let alone someone who was a full blown adult who supported someone as nutty as Sanders. Also, she literally ran for president as a dem in 2020, it’s a little early to give her any stroke in critical areas. Same goes for any other recent converts. A lengthy probationary period is in order. At least on a case by case basis, I think she warrants one.

 

[Scott CWO]

I believe I heard Pompeo is out?

True enough, still an issue IMO. She’s said enough wacky stuff to give me reason to doubt her judgement on any number of issues. That said, a decade really isn’t long enough for me for a person to show they’ve changed (I don’t think she’s really all that different now than she was then). I’ve got a hard enough time trusting people who were liberal in their youth let alone someone who was a full blown adult who supported someone as nutty as Sanders. Also, she literally ran for president as a dem in 2020, it’s a little early to give her any stroke in critical areas. Same goes for any other recent converts. A lengthy probationary period is in order. At least on a case by case basis, I think she warrants one.

Exactly. Quite frankly, she’s just trying to keep her fame going and is like a moth to a lightbulb.

 

[Scott CWO]

Tulsi has a lot of capability, it would be a great shame not to use her talent meaningfully.

She’s just an opportunist.

 

[CJW]

Glad I'm not the only one who questions her intentions and supposed shifts. There's just something about some people.

 

[Tanks]

True enough, still an issue IMO. She’s said enough wacky stuff to give me reason to doubt her judgement on any number of issues. That said, a decade really isn’t long enough for me for a person to show they’ve changed (I don’t think she’s really all that different now than she was then). I’ve got a hard enough time trusting people who were liberal in their youth let alone someone who was a full blown adult who supported someone as nutty as Sanders. Also, she literally ran for president as a dem in 2020, it’s a little early to give her any stroke in critical areas. Same goes for any other recent converts. A lengthy probationary period is in order. At least on a case by case basis, I think she warrants one.

Well, using your logic RFK Jr. should be out for any post as well, he went from running for President for Democrats to Independent to supporting Trump within a year. He also has written the book on saying wacky stuff.