66 Comments
User's avatar
Dan Holm's avatar

Here's one Iowan who Ms. Ernst did not ask for my opinion, but I'll give it to her anyway. She is a spineless coward.

Expand full comment
LJ57's avatar

Where is the character we expect, and should demand, of our US Senators?

Was it buried with President Carter?

Expand full comment
Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

It's clear he is completely unqualified for the position. Her vote may be pure politics but it also shows an utter craveness and cowardice.

Expand full comment
joe zackley's avatar

He's totally qualified. Fealty to the fat one is the only requirement. In fact, all cabinet job descriptions in this administration are the same.

Expand full comment
Steve Toretto's avatar

Meritocracy at its best.... if you haven't seen it check out Klepper on Comedy Central dissing Hegseth for the upteen times he said in the hearing that he'd run the Pentagon as a "meritocracy." GOP does not even have to try to hide its hypocracy any more. Haven't for a decade. 70 million people voted for a felon, liar and cheat. Can't go wrong after that....

Expand full comment
Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

Sadly, that's the case. One of my gigs is researching many of the appointees for a non-partisan website and his nominees are so awful it's like he's trolling us.

Expand full comment
joe zackley's avatar

Nah, it's not "like" he's trolling us. He's trolling us. And we deserve it. Apparently.

Expand full comment
Dave's avatar

In other words, Joni Ernst is just like the rest of today's GOP. Cowards and subservient to a man/child they know is a fucking lunatic who is totally unfit for the presidency and will never cross him for fear of retribution.

NO ONE with a shred of integrity or caring about America's security thinks Pete Hegseth should get anywhere close to the Department of Defense much less the Secretary.

The GOP is a major threat to American security.

Expand full comment
Stephen Youhanaie's avatar

She wants to be reelected, of course.

Expand full comment
Jack Dalton's avatar

Well, that's really most important. I mean, ANYBODY can run the Pentagon...right?

Expand full comment
Frank Canzolino's avatar

… even a guy who disappeared for a week or two…

Expand full comment
Jeff Limp's avatar

Term limits.

Expand full comment
Dawn Kucera's avatar

She'll vote for Hegseth because that's what trump wants. Guess she'd jump off the bridge if he said to as well. I wouldn't have her in my foxhole.

Expand full comment
GS's avatar

Easy. She’s a partisan terrified of the MAGA base. Next question.

Expand full comment
Dutch's avatar

Tru dat!

Expand full comment
Jacques R Grondin's avatar

Again to repeat myself. It is obvious that Senate Republicans are falling in line and will confirm all of Trump's nominees. I agree let us not overthink this and move on. So sad though that real qualifications and competencies make no difference.

Expand full comment
Dutch's avatar

Thats reality

Expand full comment
Ed Johnson's avatar

It's reality and fine I guess if you like dictatorships and being told what to do.

Expand full comment
Dutch's avatar

Buckle up you got 4 years of it!

Dems put up an awful candidate after an awful administration. They have nowhere to look but in the mirror.

Expand full comment
Left-Of-Center's avatar

I would recommend that those that should be looking in the mirror are the 77.3M voters, of which you’re clearly one, who put a supremely unqualified man-child back into office. To say that it’s we Democrats that are to blame shows not just a MASSIVE lack of self-reflection, it also shows a willingness to believe whatever helps you sleep at night, regardless of what the truth might be.

As more and more of this undemocratic crap happens over the next 4 years, you would be advised, Dutch, to put the blame where it clearly lies, and that’s with yourself. And you, in particular, have NO excuses to make, as you’re neither unintelligent nor a “low-information voter”. I might be able to find some measure of forgiveness for those that simply weren’t paying attention, but I will NEVER forgive you. Not that you care….

Expand full comment
Dutch's avatar

Hostages being released and cease fire! Good news! Thank you President Trump for doing what JB couldn’t do!

Expand full comment
Left-Of-Center's avatar

I didn’t think you were *that* gullible but I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised.

Criminal leaders have to work to protect each other, so Bibi giving “the win” to Trump, and getting “the points” for doing so, are as obvious as can be. That is, if you’re willing to look at Reality….

Expand full comment
Ed Pearson's avatar

It felt like yesterday she was a yes, and all I kept thinking is why, so glad you answered first thing this morning. He is definitely unqualified, taking out the drinking or assault, just on a managerial level, but that seems to not matter.

BTW, anyone else think his obsession with "warfighter" phrasing super weird.

Expand full comment
CaptJim's avatar

How long before Pete will really need a drink (just a sip, a little pick me up, one will not hurt), in the thought bubble above his head.

Expand full comment
Teresa Baustian's avatar

From another substack— “Hegseth Finally Gets a Woman’s Consent to Something”

Expand full comment
Elaine Seal's avatar

😂 but not funny.

Expand full comment
Jeff Limp's avatar

Hegseth is a worthless piece of S and the last person to be DefSec and Ernst is no better. What ever happened to taking a stand for qualifications. I’m an Army vet and I’m ashamed of her and what Hegseth is likely to do.

Expand full comment
Cathleen Labate's avatar

Shame on Joni Ernst...ambition before what is best for our country!

Expand full comment
Cindy Dore's avatar

Another spineless traitor!

Expand full comment
Christi's avatar

So what happens at the Pentagon? Truly? I feel like this man is so unqualified he may not even know what he needs to do to effect change. It’s going to be a bizarre show to watch. With the horrifying result of undermining our world class military. Auto pilot may be our friend here.

Expand full comment
Todd Bauer's avatar

Maybe I'm cynical, but if previous administrations are any indication, these appointments are rarely on the merits. They're largely political favors, and it rarely matters. For the most part, the rank-and-file and middle manager types run the show. I'm not convinced it's as important as many people seem to think it is.

Expand full comment
Matthew Becker's avatar

Unless Trump guts the civil service and the rank and file become ignorant yes-men

Expand full comment
Todd Bauer's avatar

Indeed. That's my biggest concern and the one worth paying attention to.

Expand full comment
Dutch's avatar

Correctly stated

Expand full comment
NanceeM's avatar

Unless the plan is to eliminate those who might keep the show running.

Expand full comment
Steve Toretto's avatar

I thought they want to eliminate the "rank and file", you know, bring in their own people... get rid of the dead weight in government, right? This group would never allow the F-35 program to be over a decade behind schedule and $183 billion over original cost estimates, surely, that waste would stop now, and those ripping off the taxpayers will be held to account, right??? That's the plan? LOL. We know the game plan, show up at Mar-a-Lago, buy a few million of Bibles, watches, and coins, and you get a government contract (likley where you get paid, and deliver nothing).

Expand full comment
George Cody's avatar

And what would an old Midwest Republican like Dwight Eisenhower have to say about this modern "military man" and any politician that could stomach him?

Expand full comment