Why Would Trump Want to Hire His Biggest Critic?

The Washington Post recently published a commentary on President-elect Donald Trump’s leadership habits and how he will most likely shift from billionaire real estate mogul to President. I found his rule-by-one and “screamer” approach interesting, I suppose, but roused when the writer described certain character traits President Trump demands when hiring someone or in this case stocking his Presidential cabinet.

The journalist interviewed a few former and present employees, business partners, and clients to offer their unique perspective on a Trump subordinate archetype. There were the usual subjects, err, suspects: “The Loyalist,” “The Sycophant,”The Articulate,” and, of course, “The Loyalist.”

Although Trump’s avid fans and in-laws insist “The Female” is another highly-sought attribute, so far his current cabinet picks seem to be all white men over the age of 55. I’m sure it’s just an oversight. “The Female” will fit in nicely somewhere in Trump’s Oval Office.

One particular archetype interested me the most, though: “The Critic.” How’s that you say? It’s common knowledge that the President-elect becomes incensed by people who attack him – perceived or real – publicly. So, why would someone with a long memory for slights, and a short-attention span for facts contemplate a high-profile position for Mitt Romney?

[Trump responds to Romney’s “Anyone but Trump” speech]  “And that was a race that I backed Mitt Romney. I backed him,” Trump said. “You can see how loyal he is.” ABC News, 3 March 2016

As Governor Romney is most probably Trump’s unequaled arch-nemesis – can’t go lower than disloyal – I was perplexed (and not a little disappointed) by news over the weekend that the two would be meeting and Trump would offer Romney the coveted Secretary of State post. By the way, that would place him fourth in line to the presidency. Yikes!

Then I remembered this article I read, and it all made sense.

Trump also likes to hire people who have opposed or blocked him. “Donald would hire lawyers who opposed him on certain projects just so they couldn’t oppose him on the next one,” [Barbara] Res said. “He’d say, ‘Keep your enemies close.’ ” – The Washington Post, 10 November 2016

Now that sounds like Donald Trump. He doesn’t want anyone with free will making speeches, calling him out when he acts counter to common decency or curtailing Trump’s agenda de jour.

“He gives out a lot of it, but he doesn’t take it. He sees right through it, so he does not respect people who are disloyal or who try to get at him publicly. He doesn’t like that at all.”

Will Governor Romney accept the role Donald Trump has engineered for him? Beats me.

I can say, any administration appointment by any president is beholden to that president’s agenda. The Secretary of State is no different. Condoleeza Rice was George W’s appointment; therefore President Bush set the policy that Secretary of State Rice was bound to follow. It was no surprise to anyone who followed the 2008 Democrat primary why President Obama chose his arch-nemesis for the very same role Trump has selected for Romney.

Governor Romney is not ignorant to the ways of the world of business or politics. He will not make the improvident choice.

Below the fold

“All of us have lived through 7 days that none of us will forget … determined that from this midnight of tragedy we shall move toward a new American greatness.” – LBJ’s Thanksgiving speech, 28 November 1963

Today in History. 22 November 1963. Six days before Thanksgiving, a court-martialed former military sniper assassinated President John F. Kennedy while the president was midway through a politicking sweep through Texas. Half past noon, the President’s motorcade was winding through Dealie Plaza when three shots were fired from a high caliber rifle mortally wounding Kennedy and critically injuring Texas Governor John Connally.

Yet, a second significant event took place that day. Within 2 hours of Kennedy’s death, Vice President Lyndon Johnson was the sole participant in one of our United States Constitution’s most envied traditions: the peaceful transfer of power.

Except it wasn’t the usual pomp and ceremony. While one Leader lay dead only feet away, another swore to embody the Constitution as faithfully as a President can. Discerning from the famous photo of Jackie Kennedy, Johnson and the Bible, it seemed personal to him. It was pandemonium and harried and personal.

As it was in 1797 between George Washington and John Adams, it happened that day in the cabin of AirForce One while parked on the tarmac at Love Field. Our Constitution worked during one of our histories most painful tragedies.

“On Inauguration Day, March 4, 1797, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson entered Congress Hall in Philadelphia – then the nation’s capital. There, John Adams took the oath of office as the new president of the United States.

Afterward, as they got ready to leave, Adams stepped aside at the door to allow Washington to go through first. But Washington was well aware of the historic significance of the moment. He stopped and asked Adams to leave first. After all, he said, Adams was now president of the United States, and Washington was now just a private citizen. Adams led, followed by Jefferson, and Washington went last.

This was the first time in human political history that power was transferred between two common citizens without the death or violent overthrow of the person losing power. The Constitution had passed its first crucial test primarily because of George Washington’s commitment to it into the spirit of the American Revolution.”

Welcome, RedStaters, to the WaterCooler! It’s RedState’s only DAILY open thread. Are there any in the audience who can remember where they were or have a particular memory of the day JFK was assassinated or remembrances of the days following? Please share below!