63 Comments

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.

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

Was it buried with President Carter?

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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.

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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.

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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....

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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.

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

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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.

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She wants to be reelected, of course.

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

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

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Term limits.

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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.

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

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Tru dat!

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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.

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Thats reality

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

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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.

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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….

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

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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….

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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.

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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.

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

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😂 but not funny.

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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.

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

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Another spineless traitor!

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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.

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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.

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

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

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Correctly stated

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

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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).

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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?

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